Tag Archives: record

December 9, 2018: Observations


Franconia Farm Storm Observation Summary:

* Place – Time: Franconia Road, (12/9/2018)
* Temperature: 30-32, During Event
* Winter Weather Watch/Warning/Advisory: Watch & Warning
* Closings: All local school districts were closed on 12/9, Chesterfield County Government was closed on 12/9.
* Predicted Totals: 1-4″ the day before the storm. Between 6-12″ the morning of the storm.
* Road Conditions: All roads had substantial snow accumulation on them by midday on 12/9.
* Precipitation Description: Snow. Snow began around 7:30 AM . Snow transitioned to gropel and snow flurries around 8 PM before ending.
* Total Precipitation: 13.25″ of snow. 11.5″ of snow was reported at the Richmond airport. Locally heavier snow to the south and west of Richmond.
* Comments: A complex storm system tracked across the lower portion of the country, including a multi-phased low-pressure system that transitioned from the Gulf Coast to a low-pressure system off the South and North Carolina coasts. The low-pressure system then tracked ENE into the Atlantic Ocean, causing snow to overspread into Central Virginia. Snow was light to moderate for the until 2-3 PM. Two very heavy snow bands moved in during the afternoon and evening hours. Between 6:26 PM and 6:56 PM, we got 2.5″ of snow, which equates to over 3″ an hour! Reports of lightening and thunder snow were reported in Richmond my brother, David. Snow tapered off by 9 PM on Sunday night (12/9).

Snow impacted Oklahoma up to northern Virginia. This storm was known as “Diego” by TWC . Impacts in western Virginia and North Carolina were extreme, where totals ranged between 1 – 2 feet of snow.

Snowfall Totals & Records:

Photos & Videos

The last snow band moving through near 6:30 PM.

January 22-23, 2016: Observations

IMG_6934

Church Hill Storm Observation Summary:
* Place – Time: Church Hill, (1/22 – 1/23/2016)
* Temperature: 26-28, During Event
* Winter Weather Watch/Warning/Advisory: Watch & Warning
* Closings: All local school districts were closed on 1/22, 1-25 thru 1/27, Chesterfield County Government was closed on 1/22 & 1/25-26.
* Predicted Totals: Between 7-14″ before and the morning of the storm.
* Road Conditions: All roads had substantial snow and ice accumulation on them.
* Precipitation Description: Snow and sleet. Snow began around 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM on 1/22. Snow transitioned to sleet around 5:30-6 PM on 1/22. Snow began once again around 7 AM on 1/23.
* Total Precipitation: 12.5″ of snow and sleet (5″ snow to 1.5″ of sleet to 6″ of snow). Measurements ranged from 10-18″ around the block. High winds caused drifting, with snow banks between 2-3′ tall. Sleet provided compaction to the snow depth. 11.4″ of snow was reported at the Richmond airport. This was the 11th highest storm total at the Richmond airport.Locally heavier snow to the north of Richmond.
* Comments: A complex storm system tracked across the country, including a multi-phased low-pressure system that transitioned to a low-pressure system off the North Carolina coast. The low-pressure system then tracked north to the Chesapeake Bay, causing snow in Central Virginia (and as far west as Lynchburg & Charlottesville) to transition to sleet. Heavy sleet and a dry slot occurred the night of 1/22 into 1/23. The morning of 1/23, precipitation redeveloped along a deformation band stretching along I-95 from NC to Washington DC. The snow fell moderate to heavy from 11 AM to 6 PM. Wind gusts from 30-45 MPH (43 MPH at the airport) caused near blizzard conditions during the afternoon. Snow tapered off by 10 PM on 1/23.

Snow impacted Arkansas up to southern New England. This storm was known as “Jonas” by TWC and the Blizzard of 2016 in other news outlets. Impacts in DC to NYC were extreme, where totals exceeded 2′ of snow.

Snowfall Totals:

NWS Preliminary Snowfall Estimates
NWS Preliminary Snowfall Estimates

Another NWS Graphic of snow totals.
Another NWS Graphic of snow totals.

Photo Gallery: