If again, then when

The next storm affecting us will be mainly rain for Christmas Day (some frz rain possible early), with a storm track well to our west.  However, looking ahead, this pattern will keep weather forecasters on alert for the next couple of weeks.

There is no fundamental change in the cards, with a very active southern storm track still indicated on the longer-range models.  More Southeast coastal storminess certainly looks plausible into the first week of January. 

* by Jim Duncan

Thank you all !!!

Thanks to all for your snow reports! 

The wide variety of depths registered just over the metro area were pretty spectacular… from only around 4″ down Chester way (rain Friday night hurt), to nearly a foot and a half in parts of Hanover, Goochland, etc.  Quite a storm.

Until the next one, whenever that may be….

* Jim Duncan

Snow Will Be Slow to Melt

You can give thanks to the winter solstice for this.  Winter begins on Monday, Dec. 21st at 12:37pm.  That’s the time of year when the sun’s rays are at their lowest angle, and the time of year when we get the least amount of daylight.

That means melting of the snow due to the sun’s direct rays will be as low as it gets. 

Daytime highs and low well below average will also help to keep the snow around on shaded neighborhood streets, grassy surfaces and sledding hills for days to come!

Part III of the Storm

Round one was the heavy burst of evening snow. 

Round 2 was light sleet and rain between 1-9am in Richmond with snow continuing in Western/Northern Henrico and Chesterfield

Round 3 will be for the rest of the day.  It’s cold enough for snow again for the rest of the day.  Additional accumulations could be 4-8″ north of town.  In town, I think we’re winding down.  Could be another 2-4″ though.  It’ll come in bands through early afternoon  if it does.  NOT steady like yesterday

Overnight/Saturday AM Storm Update

I measured 8″ at my house in Richmond before I left to come in at 1:30am.    It was sleeting at my house then.  After a SLOW drive in, I’m here in the wx office, gearing up for a very busy day.  Roads are horrible!  Stay put and enjoy the snow if possible…

Keep the totals/observations coming.  We appreciate it. 

Aside from North and West of town, the storm is taking a break for a bit.  Sleet and rain mixed with snow will fall in Richmond (especially South and East) through sunrise or later. 

But during the morning hours, cold air wins out and snow will take over, even as far east as Virginia Beach by This afternoon. 

*update:  dry air is sneaking into the storm.  we could see 4″ in town but that’s looking less likely… 

That will bring storm totals to a foot or more in many spots!  Winds will pick up today, which could bring power outages.

*posted By Andrew Freiden

Tell us your snow totals!

Post here with your totals.  Massive winter storm will dump big-time over parts of the area into Saturday night.

* Jim Duncan

12 Hours To Go…

6am Friday Update

Nothing quite gets the blog burning like snow!  As I type, we’re about 10 hours away from the leading edge of precipitation and we’re still thinking the Richmond metro will get 4-7″ of snow on the Eastern side to 8-12″ on the west side. 

The big winners when it comes to snow totals?  West Central Virginia (Charlottesville, Wintergreen, Lynchburg) could get 2′ of snow out of this storm.  There’s plenty of moisture to work with and just west of Metro Richmond it’ll be cold enough for this to be snow for the entire duration of the storm through the day tomorrow.

There is a tight gradient when it comes to snow totals with this storm.  Western Goochland and New Kent County are only about 1 hour apart, but the snow totals could be dramatically different. 

The lower totals (although still impressive) on the east side of town are due to our concern that a slightly more inland jog of the storm track could keep rain and sleet in the mix overnight and early tomorrow for longer than currently expected.

*Posted by Andrew Freiden

Impressive snow, here’s where…

Mid-evening update this Thursday, 24 hours or thereabouts before the storm starts rolling in.

Impressive winter storm for December, and one to be remembered in many quarters of Virginia.  All areas except Tidewater can expect accumulating snow in varying degrees.

The complicating factor for metro Richmond and points east of I-95 will be potential sleet mixing with snow, which would depress totals significantly.  Western portions of the metro area will see more snow, with a rapid increase in totals traveling west.

Stay tuned.

*Jim Duncan

Four Thoughts on Saturday’s Snow

The ingredients are holding together for snow lovers.  Here are a few wrinkles in this upcoming storm that you may want to discuss in the comments section:

1. In Richmond and the Tri-Cities, this will likely start as rain or a very wet snow Friday evening.  The changeover to all snow should happen some time overnight or Saturday morning.  A slower changeover than expected could cut into snow totals in Richmond. 

Western counties like Goochland that get all snow will get the biggest totals.  New Kent and Charles City will see lower amounts.

2. This has the potential to be a mess on the roads.  Rain at the start will bring wet roads,  Then the snow to follow will cool the road bed enough to freeze up that water.  So roads could end up icy with snow on top Saturday.  A sub-freezing night and a cold day Sunday won’t allow for much melting.

3.  Could be a big one just to our west, while we look on with envy. In Roanoke/Lynchburg/Blacksburg it could be a heavy snowstorm.  8-12″ + of snow out there looks like a good bet.  *midday Thursday update: those high totals are looking likely just North and West of Richmond, and in Richmond could easily get 4-8″*

4.  The timing of this will annoy area students and teachers:  The first day of winter break for our first decent snow of the year?  That means you don’t get to enjoy a day off classes on Monday.  You’ll already be home!

*by Andrew Freiden

Coastal storm; looks like snow

Well, maybe all of the collective vibes for snow are coming together, as the Saturday coastal storm looks destined to bring us some snow.

The question of precip type may loom for a while during the early stages overnight Friday night,  with the shorter-range computer model pointing to a possible rain/snow mix, then snow Saturday. 

Could be fun to watch.

*by Jim Duncan