After two winters of unusual warmth, Virginians are getting an unexpected reminder of what winter can truly bring.
The cold temperatures that have gripped the region since the start of January are showing no signs of easing up, and winter’s icy grip may last longer than expected.
For the past two years, many Virginians have found themselves longing for the traditional winter chill. The 2023-2024 season, however, is making up for lost time.
With each passing day, it becomes clear: winter, largely missing in action for the last two years, has finally arrived—and it’s not done yet.
The early part of January has been a brutal reminder of how cold winter can get. The first dozen days of the month have been among the coldest on record in Southwest Virginia, with temperatures ranking between the 11th and 16th for the coldest starts to January in more than a century. In cities like Blacksburg, Danville, Lynchburg, and Roanoke, it has been the coldest start to the year since 2010 or 2018, depending on the location.
In fact, the first half of meteorological winter (since December 1) has been one of the coldest on record in the region.
The cold, however, is expected to persist, with more frigid air arriving next week. After a brief warm-up this weekend, another wave of Arctic air is set to descend upon the region.
Weather experts are predicting that the coldest part of the season has yet to arrive, with the potential for temperatures to dip into the single digits across a wide swath of Virginia.
While the cold has been undeniable, the snow has been a bit harder to come by. A few significant winter storms have broken long-standing streaks without major snowfall in much of Southside Virginia, but so far, the region has not seen the type of widespread snow that would make it a truly memorable winter.
The storms of January 5-6 and January 10-11 did bring snow to parts of the state, but the snowfalls were often mixed with sleet and freezing rain.
Only a handful of locations have reported over 4 inches of snow in a single storm. The majority of snowfall amounts across the region have ranged from 1 to 4 inches, with some areas in Southwest Virginia recording up to 5-7 inches, particularly along and west of Interstate 77.
For those hoping for a major snowstorm, there’s still plenty of winter left. Virginia hasn’t seen a widespread snowfall of more than 4 inches since January 16, 2022, and many in Southwest Virginia are still waiting for that big storm. In fact, last year on January 15, 2024, some areas received 4 inches or more, suggesting that this winter could follow a similar pattern as it progresses.
While there is no widespread snow in the immediate forecast, the pattern is far from settled. Meteorologists are eyeing potential snowstorms on Sunday and next Tuesday or Wednesday, though the timing and size of these storms are still uncertain.
A mid-week system could bring the biggest snowfall yet, but it may also be suppressed by the mass of Arctic air that continues to push southward.
The question on everyone’s mind: can it be too cold to snow?
While it’s true that extremely cold temperatures can sometimes hinder snow accumulation, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
Even if temperatures dip well below freezing, it’s still possible to see snow, sleet, or freezing rain, depending on the specific weather conditions.
One thing is clear: Virginia's winter weather is far from predictable. Despite the cold air’s persistence, there are still potential windows for snowstorms to develop.
However, whether those storms will bring significant snow remains uncertain as the weather pattern continues to shift.
For now, residents can expect a chilly week ahead, with brief periods of warmer weather followed by more frigid air.
Despite a weekend thaw, the return of Arctic air next week is expected to bring even colder temperatures, with the possibility of snow mixed in.
As always, winter in Virginia is unpredictable, and this season has already proven that it’s not over yet.
So, Virginians can breathe a sigh of relief—winter has been found, and there’s more to come.
Keep those winter coats and shovels handy; the coldest and snowiest days may still be ahead.
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