ACON - VA/NC/SC
The Atlantic Coast Observer Network: Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina


SUMMARY OF CLIMATOLOGICAL DATA

JANUARY 2000


WINTER WEATHER WALLOPS THE REGION
ON THE HEELS OF WARM WEATHER

An  uncharacteristic zonal flow helped establish new records for warmth during the first-half of the 2nd month of winter.  However, by month's end, the region had suffered some of the coldest, wintry weather seen in years!  Temperatures averaging as much as 15-20o above the norm in the first half of the month dropped to extremely cold averages of the same magnitude in the latter half.

Much of the area had several snowfalls between mid-month and the 23rd, with notable measurements during the period in Western and Central North Carolina, particularly in the Greensboro/Raleigh vicinities.  Another storm brought snow and ice and month's end.

The big event of the month was the surprisingly strong low pressure that rolled across the Carolinas and bombed off the SE US coast on the morning of the 25th.  The National Weather Service gave very little lead time on preparing for this storm.  Earlier than 24 hours before the storm pounded the region, the NWS had absolutely no idea- based on model outputs - of the pending severity of the storm.  While the Service knew 24-hours in advance that there would be snows of 6-12" somewhere in central Virginia and North Carolina, they could not pinpoint just where they would be recorded and grossly underforecast precipitation amounts.  Record snowfalls were recorded in the Carolinas.  Raleigh-Durham Airport reported a record storm snowfall of 20.3" on January 24th-25th.No need to debate  the poor performance of the Service or the computer models in advance of this storm as most of the media and naysayers have pounded them with criticism.  Quite honestly, such events  keep all weather interests- professional and amateur - aware of the incredibly unpredictable nature of meteorology, despite our greatest efforts.  And we must admit that we all enjoy the occasional sudden surprise in variance with all that modern technology affords us.

Our members' reports below will best characterize January 2000's weather and the amazing coastal storm, so far "the storm of the century!"

SNOW REPORTS & MAPS

I could spend hours reprinting the snowfall maps of January's snow and ice storms, but that would be expensive to mail.
For our NON-INTERNET MEMBERS, consider visiting the local library or a friend to access our Internet home page so you can visit the links below to review the maps, graphics, and articles  on the late January 2000 winter storms.  Again, we are located at:
http://www.pilot.infi.net/~bsmoot/acon.htm

For our INTERNET members, just click on one of the links below to review this winter lambaste!

From NWS ILM:                                                                             From NWS GSP:

Record Snow Blankets the Region - January 25, 2000                              January 24-25 Major Snowstorm in Western Carolinas    http://nwsilm.wilmington.net/archive/snowstorm.html                                 http://www.nws.noaa.gov/er/gsp/jan2400snow.htm
Snow Cover Image - January 25, 2000
http://nwsilm.wilmington.net/archive/snowcover.gif

From NWS DCA:                                                                                                        From NWS BCB:

January 25, 2000 Snowfall Map                                                                           January 25, 2000 Snowfall Map
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/er/lwx/Jan25-00.gif                                                  http://www.bev.net/weather/J25sno.jpg
January 30, 2000 Snowfall Map                                                                           January 30, 2000 Snowfall Map
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/er/lwx/Jan30-00.gif                                                  http://www.bev.net/weather/J30sno.jpg

From NWS AKQ:                                                                           From  NWS CHS:

Snowfall Totals from Jan 25,2000 Storm                                          Charleston Snow Pics
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/er/akq/snowtot.htm                                   http://wchs.csc.noaa.gov
 

STAMPS & DATA RETRIEVAL MODE

Everyone has made the decision whether to have our monthly summaries mailed or to retrieve them from the Internet.  Most every stamp balance has been reconciled.  Thanks for taking care of this promptly.  For those of you using the Internet, here's the address for summary retrieval one more time: http://www.pilot.infi.net/~bsmoot/acon.htm

TEAM WEATHERNET

Erica sends this clarification on retrieving Team Weathernet's reports from  WRC-TV's WeatherNet4,  http://www.nbc4.com .
"On Weathernet4....go to Community and Education...we now have Team Weathernet added so it's easier to get to."

GET WELL WISHES

Recent notes tell us that some members have been "down and out!"  Get well wishes go to John Bullock who writes that he has been feeling poorly for 3 weeks.  Also, Joyce Winfree has had pneumonia and is hooked up to oxygen for a while.

NOTES FROM "AROUND THE LEAGUE"

Virginia:

Annandale -  January was wet and slightly on the warm side but had a split personality on temp with 1st half warm and 2nd half cold.  The 64 mph wind recorded on the 13th at 1356 was a new max wind gust record at this station (records for 20 years).  The greatest snowfall total for January since 1996.  It was also the greatest number od days with snow and the greatest amount of snow on the ground.  The January 25th snow of 10.8" was most i any one storm since the 7th in 1996.  The barometer reading of 30.73" on the 15th was the highest barometer reading in any month since February 1, 1999.  There was a 60o change in temp from 69o on the 4th to a reading of 9o on the 22nd.  this was the greatest monthly range for January since 1997.  This January averaged the windiest on record with an average daytime max wind speed of 21 MPH.   The 9o minimum on January 22nd was the coldest in 3 years since the 6o on January 19, 1997.

Lowell has placed his outstanding 1999 Weather Records with Annual Summary at: http://www.erols.com/llkoontz/1999rec.htm
In addition, he's begun one for 2000 at http://www.erols.com/llkoontz/2000rec.htm

He also sends along this picture of his weather station and office:


Arlington - NWS reports that Washington's mean temp  was +1.2o while precip was +0.29".  ON JANUARY 3RD...RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 68 DEGREES. PREVIOUS RECORD WAS 66 DEGREES SET IN 1997.  ON JANUARY 25TH...RECORD SNOWFALL FOR THAT DAY OF 9.3 INCHES.  PREVIOUS RECORD WAS 6.0 INCHES SET IN 1891.

THE FIRST HALF OF THIS MONTH HAD FIVE DAYS OF SIXTY OR ABOVE...EVEN A DAY IN THE 70S. HOWEVER...THE SECOND HALF OF THE MONTH FEATURED SEVERAL DAYS THAT DID NOT BREAK OUT OF THE 20S AND THREE SNOW STORMS. THE MONTH ENDED UP JUST OVER A DEGREE ABOVE NORMAL.

THE STRONGEST SNOW STORM WAS A COASTAL STORM THAT RAPIDLY DEVELOPED ON THE CAROLINA COAST AND MOVED STEADILY NORTHWARD ON THE 25TH. EAST OF THE CITY RECEIVED 10 TO 20 INCHES...WHILE THE WESTERN SUBURBS RECEIVED 6 TO 12 INCHES.

THAT STORM WAS FOLLOWED FIVE DAYS LATER BY A SUPER BOWL SUNDAY STORM THAT LEFT A MIX OF SNOW...SLEET...AND FREEZING RAIN OVER THE CITY.

Blacksburg - The monthly mean temp of 30.3o  was normal  while precip was just 0.02" below normal.  (from NWS Blacksburg) (See Roanoke's notes for the area summary.)

Bridgewater -   On the morning of the 25th, it was announced on the radio that schools were closed. People around here were wondering what was going on.  Then it was announced that the eastern part of the county was having snow.   One place already had nearly five inches. Bridgewater got nothing out of this storm, and Harrisonburg got only a trace. Five inches fell just a few miles east of Harrisonburg.   I don't  ever recall a snowstorm in which the snow-no snow area was so close.   On the 13th, the winds were very strong from the northwest.   My weather computer clocked a gust at 55 mph. Quite a few trees went down. The strong winds continued for most of the day. The last time I remembered a wind storm of this nature was back in the mid 70's.    We had a beautiful snowfall on Sunday, the 30th. Five inches fell in and around Bridgewater. All the trees and bushes were decorated with the white stuff. The wind was quiet and the temperature not too cold. A lot of people went by our house walking in the snow, and enjoying the winter scene.  We were happy that the snow didn't turn to sleet and freezing rain, which was a possibility.

Charlottesville - Longtime member Jack Stewart, from whom we've heard little this past year,  informs us that he's still traveling around among NH, SC, VA, etc.!  He hasn't lost interest in the weather and still keeps a record when in CHO land.  He'll discontinue his monthly mailings but, hopefully, will check in once and a while and check us out on the Web when he has the chance.

Centerville - "Once the 'storm of the century' (can't miss on that one!) - which caught most of us by surprise - got organized, it behaved well for a nor'easter.  The average daily temp was about 5o warmer than average with nights 6.5o above average.  At 1335 on the 13th there was a rogue wind gust that set my socks out straight!  I'd say it was 35-40 MPH but I'm not counting it for the records.  Rainfall was 0.16" above normal." - Paul's notes

Dulles - NWS reports the mean temp for January  '00 was +1.9o above normal while precip was -0.84".

Falls Church - Erica writes: "January 2000 started off quite mild; then towards the end of the month we were socked with 2 big snowstorms.  The one on the 20th brought 4 inches and the 25th brought 10 inches to Falls Church.  The month did, however, still average above normal rainfall.  The snowfall was also above average."

Fredericksburg - Ken writes: "The monthly temps average not far from normal, but it was a month of contrasts.  The 1st 13 days averaged 45o .   The last 18 days averaged 26.1o with over 10" of snow and ice.  A low pressure system which was forecast to pass east of virginia on the 25th dropped over 6" of snow here and up to 3 times that amount in locations to the south and east."

Hampton - Dave reports: "After starting very mild, a prolonged period of below normal temps occurred from mid-month with stormy weather. Snow occurred on the 18th with temps near  20 creating traffic woes! (travel time between Williamsburg to Hampton was
4 hours!) Another system on the 20th produced three inches of snow which quickly melted.  A significant storm on the 25th produced high tides, wind damage , and near blizzard conditions on the Peninsula.  Moderate tidal flooding occurred in parts of the city as well as wind damage at least to 3 houses in the Buckroe Beach area.  Snow drifts of 1-1.5 feet occurred with the wind.  Snow still was hanging around as of early February.  January 2000 station records:  2nd - record high minimum  49o ; 3rd - record high minimum  57o ,  record high maximum 73o  ; 4th - record high max  75o ; 25th - record high wind gust 60 MPH ; record snowfall 7.0" ; month - record snowfall of 11.5"

Herndon -  Russ sends these notes: "The big news of the month was the nor'easter that took forecasters by surprise on the 25th. We had quite a bit on the ground after our 3rd storm, on the 30th, brought snow and ice. The temperatures stayed cold enough that there was little in the way of melting, which is unusual for this region. January was also a very windy month. We had 7 days with peak gusts over 30 mph and a high wind warning on the 13th. Finally some noteworthy winter weather!"

Lynchburg - NWS BCB noted a mean temp here  0.5o below normal while precip here was 0.47" above normal.  (See Roanoke's notes for the area summary.)

Norfolk - NWS AKQ noted that the monthly average temp was 1.1o above normal while precip was 1.29" above the norm.  The average wind speed was 10.1 MPH with a 51 MPH gust from the NNE on the 25th.

Portsmouth - Where do I begin with all the station records for January at this station?  Well, here we go:New daily rainfall records:  1.19" on the 30th; New daily snowfall records: 0.6" on the 23rd (old record TRACE); 4.0" on the 25th (no previous record) ; New wind records: 49 MPH on the 13th (old record 33 MPH in 1983) and 60 MPH on the 25th (old record 33 MPH in 1998) ; New maximum temperature records: 73º  on the 3rd (old record 69º/1997) ; 76º on the 4th (old record 71º/1997) ; 68º on the 11th (old record 66º in 1980) ; New minimum temperature record:  12º on the 28th (tie of previous station record set in 1986) ; New maximum minimum temperature records:  57º on the 3rd (old record 52º/1992) ; 53º on the 4th (old record 50º in 1992) ; 51º on the 10th (old record 50º in 1992)  ; New minimum maximum temperature records: 31º on the 22nd (tied previous record in 1984) ; 36º on the 24th (old record 38º in 1986) ; 35º on the 25th (old record 37º in 1987) ; 30º on the 26th (old record 37º in 1987) 28º on the 27th (tied previous record in 1982)

The monthly mean temperature was 0.3o below normal while precip was 116% of normal (+0.67").  The first substantial winter snowfalls since 1996 were recorded.  While only 4" of snow fell at the station on the 25th, 6-8" were recorded on average at sites in every direction around the station.  The first half of the month was uncharacteristically warm balanced with a very cold second half.

A rare four snowfall events in the latter half of the month-  Ironically,  the lightest amount (0.1" / 18th) of ice and snow caused over 400 auto accidents at rush hour throughout the Hampton Roads cities!

Mechanicsville - Snow - heavy at times - with blowing snow from a nor'easter on the 25th.  Sleet and freezing rain fell on the 30th with power outage from the 30th at 1930 until the 2st of February at 1200! - notes from Glenn

Richmond - NWS AKQ noted that the monthly average temp was 0.6o above normal while precip was 0.72" above the norm.  The average wind speed was 9.3 mph.

Roanoke - Wendell notes the month was 1.1o above normal while rainfall was 0.55" below normal.  Winter returned during the month with snowfall 3.8" above normal!

Roanoke - NWS BCB reports the monthly mean temp was 0.8o above the norm while precip was 0.54" below normal.

In the Roanoke/Blacksgurg/Lynchburg corridor:   FOR THE MOST PART...JANUARY BEGAN PRETTY UNEVENTFUL AND FINISHED UP WITH A BIG BANG.  VIRGINIA STARTED OFF ENJOYING A MILD YEAR WITH TEMPERATURES WELL ABOVE NORMAL FOR MOST LOCATIONS AND VERY LITTLE PRECIPITATION.  BY THE 11TH-13TH OF JANUARY...THE FIRST STRONG COLD FRONT PASSED THROUGH THE REGION CREATING WIDESPREAD WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 50 MPH...AND ISOLATED WIND GUSTS EXCEEDING 60 MPH.  NUMEROUS REPORTS OF WIND DAMAGE WERE REPORTED.  TEMPERATURES PLUNGED FROM THIS FRONT AS WELL AS CAUSING LOTS OF DAMAGE.  TEMPERATURES THAT RANGED FROM THE MID 50S TO THE MID 60S FELL TO A VERY NOTICEABLE 30 DEGREES COOLER THAN THE PREVIOUS DAY.  WINTER SEEMED TO FINALLY ARRIVE. FOR MOST OF THE REGION...OUR FIRST SNOW COVER OF THE SEASON OCCURRED ON THE 18TH SHORTLY AFTER MIDNIGHT...REPORTS CAME IN OF AMOUNTS RANGING FROM 1-7 INCHES...MAINLY OVER SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA AND THE NORTHERN MOUNTAINS OF NORTH CAROLINA. BY THE 20TH...STRONG WINDS BEHIND ANOTHER LOW PRESSURE CENTER GAVE US VERY COLD TEMPERATURES ONCE AGAIN...THE COLDEST OVERNIGHT TEMPERATURES OF THE SEASON WERE RECORDED ON THE 21ST...LOWS RANGING IN THE UPPER TEENS IN THE PIEDMONT TO SINGLE DIGITS ACROSS THE HIGHLANDS.  FINALLY...A SNOWSTORM THAT SURPRISED OUR NO SURPRISE WEATHER SERVICE.  OUCH...LEAVING NORTH CAROLINA DEEPLY COVERED WITH ICE AND SNOW FOR QUITE SOME TIME...ONLY TO HAVE A SHORT LIVED BREAK FROM THE SNOW...FOR OUR FINAL SNOW STORM OF THE MONTH...29TH AND 30TH.  SNOW TOTALS RANGED FROM ONE INCH TO A FOOT...WITH MOSTLY ICE AND SLEET OVER THE PIEDMONT OF NORTH CAROLINA AND VIRGINIA.

Woodstock - A little colder than average but quite dry here, third driest in 14 years!  (Editor's note:  Sounds like Lauck really missed out on all the winter fun!)

Vienna - Robert writes: "January temperatures were a little above the average as was the precip.  Snowfall was about twice my 15-year average but way behind my record of 30.9 inches set in 1996."

North Carolina:

Asheville - From NWS GSP:  AVL's mean temp was 0.3o  degrees in excess of the norm while precip was 0.15" below norm.  The average wind speed was 10.1 mph.

Brevard -  "Notes:  Away from station 1-3rd,11-12th,21-31st. Rain + snow-melt recorded for all 31 days, 3.77" compares with 7.78" for the past 10 Januarys.  Snowfall data obtained from newspaper, Transylvania Times. With only 15 days observed, comparison with past data, except for rainfall, not attempted. The snow fell the day after I left for Texas."

Charlotte - CLT's mean temp was 0.5o  degree above normal while precip was 0.36" above the norm.

Raleigh - Bob writes of January:  "What began a very mild January turned-out to be the snowiest in recorded history.  There were 4 winter events in 7 days including the 24-hour record snowfall on the 24th and 25th.  RDU measured 20.3" and my station measured 18".  According to the hourly obs at RDU, 12" accumulated between 1 and 6 AM on the 25th.  The biggest surprise about the storm was that it was a surprise!!  For the Triangle areas, the NWS was forecasting 1-3" as late as the evening of the 24th.  A "winter weather advisory" was in effect.  Wake County Schools were dismissed  one hour early on the 24th and did not reopen until February 3rd.  Due to the snow cover, record lows were recorded on the 26th, 27th, and 28th at RDU. "

Raleigh - NWS RDU reported average temps 0.5obelow normal while precip was 2.55" in excess of the norm.  The month was the snowiest ever recorded at RDU.  In fact, (excerpts from RDU's monthly summary):  SEVERAL SNOWFALL RECORDS WERE SET IN THE MONTH OF JANUARY. THE  SNOWFALL OF 17.9 INCHES ON JANUARY 25TH BROKE THE RECORD FOR MOST  SNOWFALL IN A DAY AND MOST SNOWFALL IN A 24 HOUR PERIOD. THE  PREVIOUS RECORD WAS 17.8 INCHES ON MAR 2ND 1927. THE MONTHLY  SNOWFALL OF 25.8 INCHES BROKE THE RECORD OF 20.0 INCHES SET IN  JANUARY OF 1893. THE 20.3 INCHES OF SNOW THAT FELL ON THE 24TH AND  25TH BROKE THE RECORD FOR MOST SNOWFALL IN A SINGLE STORM. THE OLD  RECORD WAS 17.9 INCHES FROM FEBRUARY 15TH TO 17TH IN 1902.

FOUR DAILY SNOWFALL RECORDS WERE ALSO SET. THE SNOWFALL OF 3.0 INCHES  ON THE 18TH BROKE THE DAILY RECORD OF A TRACE SET IN 1981/94. THE  SNOWFALL OF 2.4 INCHES ON THE 20TH BROKE THE DAILY RECORD OF 1.7  INCHES SET IN 1985. THE SNOWFALL OF 2.4 INCHES ON THE 24TH BROKE THE  DAILY RECORD OF 1.8 INCHES SET IN 1977. THE SNOWFALL OF 17.9 INCHES
ON THE 25TH BROKE THE DAILY RECORD OF 2.0 INCHES SET IN 1966.

NUMEROUS TEMPERATURE RECORDS WERE ALSO SET IN THE MONTH OF JANUARY.  THE HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 74 DEGREES ON THE 3RD BROKE THE DAILY RECORD HIGH OF 71 DEGREES SET IN 1997. THE MINIMUM TEMPERATURE ON THE 3RD WAS 55 DEGREES WHICH BROKE THE RECORD HIGH MINIMUM TEMPERATURE FOR  THE DAY. THE OLD RECORD WAS 54 DEGREES SET IN 1950.

THREE RECORD LOW TEMPERATURES IN A ROW WERE SET FROM JANUARY 26TH  THROUGH JANUARY 28TH. THE LOW TEMPERATURE ON THE 26TH WAS 13 DEGREES  WHICH BROKE THE RECORD OF 14 DEGREES SET IN 1968. THE LOW  TEMPERATURE ON THE 27TH WAS 10 DEGREES WHICH BROKE THE RECORD OF 13  DEGREES SET IN 1986/82. THE LOW TEMPERATURE ON THE 28TH WAS 1 DEGREE
WHICH BROKE THE RECORD OF 8 DEGREES SET IN 1986. THE LOW TEMPERATURE OF 7 DEGREES ON THE 29TH TIED THE RECORD FIRST SET IN 1977.

Roxboro - Notes from Merriell: A nice first half of the month but the second half was everything winter could be.  Record snowfall and very cold.  However, temps averaged warmer than normal and precip was almost and inch above.

Wilmington - The mean temp (according to NWS ILM) was deficient by 0.1o    Rainfall was 0.79" above the  norm.  ILM received 60% of its possible sunshine.  From ILM's monthly summary: NOT ONE BUT TWO DAYS SAW SNOW FALL ON WILMINGTON IN THE MONTH OF JANUARY. THE FIRST TASTE OF THE WHITE STUFF OCCURRED ON THE MORNING OF THE 18TH WHEN 1.1 INCHES FELL. THIS BROKE THE RECORD OF 0.1 INCH SET ON THE DATE IN 1901. ANOTHER QUICK SHOT OF WINTER WEATHER PASSED ON THE 22ND WHEN A TRACE AMOUNT OF SLEET WAS REPORTED. BUT THESE TWO DAYS WERE BUT AN APPETIZER FOR WHAT WAS TO COME. ON THE 25TH... 5.0 INCHES OF SNOW FELL ON THE PORT CITY. THIS BLEW AWAY THE PREVIOUS RECORD FOR THE DATE (A TRACE IN 1968). DESPITE SOME WARMER WEATHER IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS OF THE MONTH... THERE WAS STILL A SMALL AMOUNT OF SNOW LEFT ON THE GROUND ON AS FEBRUARY BEGAN.   NO RAINFALL RECORDS WERE SET OR TIED.

South Carolina:

Charleston - Eleanor sends these notes in her article for the Storm Courier newsletter:

A Tale of Two Snows
by: Eleanor Vallier-Talbot, Senior Meteorologist NWS CHS/K-12 Education and Outreach

     On average, a trace of snow falls across the Lowcountry and Coastal Empire during a typical winter.  It is not totally unusual to have a measurable snowstorm across coastal South Carolina and southeastern Georgia.  The last heavy snow event occurred on December 22 to 24, 1989, when 2 to 5 inches of snow fell over coastal Georgia, and 4 to 14 inches along south coastal South Carolina (5" in Savannah, 8" in Charleston, 14" in Myrtle Beach and 15" in Wilmington, NC).  Other larger snowstorms have fallen across the region.  Two hundred years ago, on January 9th to 11th, 1800, Savannah received over 18 inches of snowfall, as reported in the Columbian Museum and Savannah Advertiser.   Another 10 inch snow was reported in Savannah on March 3rd and 4th of 1837.  Charleston's all time snowiest month of 14 inches occurred during the winter of 1799-1800.  The Big Southern Snowstorm on February 12, 1899,
dropped 3.9 inches of snow in Charleston.   So, what occurred on January 25th and 26th of 2000 was definitely rare, but not unheard of.
     The first snow, during the overnight hours of the 24th and 25th, was caused by low pressure off the southeast coast.  The low tracked across the northern Gulf of Mexico early on the 24th, moved quickly across northeastern Florida, then developed rapidly off the Georgia and northern Florida coast, near Jacksonville, late on the 24th.  This caused cold air aloft to be dragged to the surface on the moderate to heavy rainfall, along with colder air wrapping around the storm from the north.  After sunset on the 24th, the driving rain mixed for several hours with sleet, then changed over to snow early on the 25th.  The snow "piled" up to an inch at Charleston International Airport, even with a low of 33 degrees.  The temperature across many other areas of south coastal South Carolina dropped to below freezing.  Reports of up to 2" of snow were recorded north and west of Charleston, generally in northern Colleton, Dorchester and Berkeley counties, though snow was reported as far south as Beaufort.  This snow melted quickly during the 25th with a high of 51 degrees.
     The second event occurred the next morning, early on the 26th.  This was a more isolated event, with snowfall only occurring across Dorchester, Berkeley and Charleston counties.  A small piece of upper level energy moved quickly southeast across the region late on the 25th.  This feature looked very much like an "Alberta Clipper" system that normally affects the northern part of the United States, originating from near Alberta province, Canada.  Inland locations across South Carolina tracked this energy on radar, but all precipitation remained aloft...that is, until it reached Dorchester and Berkeley counties.  As the area approached the coast, it merged with a piece of a fast upper level jet stream.  This allowed more upward motion to occur.  That, along with an inflow of low level Atlantic moisture, allowed the precipitation to work down to the surface.  Temperatures that morning were mostly in the mid 20s, so the snow fell fast.  It also stuck around for several hours after sunrise on the 26th as temperatures were slow to rebound.  This made a
normally difficult morning commute a nightmare, as all of the area bridges were closed due to icing conditions.  The Cooper River Bridges, which are a few hundred feet above Charleston Harbor, were the last to open, around mid morning.  A total of 2 inches of snow fell in the Charleston area, with reports of up to 3 inches in Berkeley county.
     For pictures of the snow, check out the front page of the NWS Charleston web site at:    http://wchs.csc.noaa.gov .

       "Weather Record Book, United States and Canada   The Outstanding Events 1871-1970," by David M. Ludlum through Weatherwise magazine.   1971, Weatherwise, Inc.

The monthly average temperature was 4/10ths deg. below the norm while rainfall was 0.59" in excess of the norm.  Snowfall was 3" above normal.  The average wind speed was 8.3 MPH.

Columbia - NWS CAE reports a monthly mean temp departure of -0.7 while total precip was a whopping 4.46" in excess of the norm.

Florence - FAA Florence  noted a +0.9 mean temp departure  while rainfall was 1.05" above  the norm.  The month saw a record cool high of 33o  on the 29th (old record was 35o in 1966) and a tied record high of 76o on the 3rd (1952).

Greenville-Spartanburg - The mean temp was  1.5o  in excess of the norm while precip was 0.38" below the norm.  The average wind speed was 7.2 mph. - from NWS GSP

North Myrtle Beach - NWS ILM reports the month's precip was 1.58" above normal while the mean temp was 3.2o below normal  .  The station noted  record lows on the 15th (20o ), the 27th (23o ), and on the 28th (20o ).

Ruby - Franklin says January was a very cold, rough month in his area.  Much snow and ice remains on the ground on the date he writes, February 5th!

Nearby Cities:

The Tri-cities/Bristol area noted a mean temp  0.1o below the norm while precip was in excess of the norm by 0.39"


(Please note the column denotations table below.)
TEMPERATURES / WIND / ELEMENTS
VIRGINIA
STN
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
R1
S
ANN
41.81
26.23
34.02
69
4
9
22
0
9
19
0
64
W
13
0
0
1
2
1
2400
BCB
 
 
30.3
66
3
3
29
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CEN
43.8
28.4 
36.1 
69
3,4 
12 
22 
23 
24
24
NNE
NNW
13
13
2400
DCA
43.2
28.5
35.8
71
4
14
22
0
8
16
0
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2400
IAD
41.8
23.3
32.5
69
4
7
22
0
11
25
0
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2400
BRI
43.5
23.4
33.5
70
3
3
22
0
7
24
0
 
 
 
0
0
0
0
1
0530
1600
FCH
43.2
27.8
35.5
71
4
11
20
0
8
21
0
 
 
 
0
0
1
2
1
 
FRB
43.3
24.7
34.0
70
4
-3
28
0
8
25
1
 
 
 
0
0
2
0
0
0800
HAM
47.5
32.2 
39.9 
75
8
28 
18 
0
60
25 
0
1
2
2100 
HER
40.2
23.2
31.7
67
4
5
22
0
12
25
0
35
 
13
0
0
 
1
1+
2400
HRN
40.7 
25.1 
32.9 
67.9
9.4
22
0
11
25
43 
NW 
13 
0
0
1
0
2400 
LKU
43.61 
18.58
31.10 
69
25 
27
3
42
WNW 
13 
0
2
0
0
2400 
LOU
39.32
25.79
32.55
68
4
-16
28
0
10
26
1
 
 
 
0
0
2
2
0
2400
LYH
 
 
33.7
68
3
4
29
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2400 
NEW
51.51
22.03
36.77
70
3
-3
22
0
10
25
1
64
NW
13
0
0
0
0
1
1700
NPN
48.6
29.3
39.0
78
4
5
28
0
3
22
0
 
 
 
0
0
2
6
2
2400
NOR
47.6
31.6
39.6
76
4
13
28
0
5
18
0
 
 
 
0
0
1
3
1
2400
ORF
47.4
32.9
40.2
76
 4
19
28
0
6
17
0
43
NNE
 
 
 
2
3
2400
POR
47.3
32.0
39.6
76
4
12
28
0
6
18
0
60
N
25
1
0
0
1
2
2400
MEC
47
27.1
37.1
72
3,4
06
28
0
3
20
0
 
 
 
0
0
1
1
0
1800
RMD
49.7 
31.6 
40.6
76
28 
15
 
 
 
 
 0
1
1
 
2300
RIC
46.0
26.6
36.3
74
3
-1
28
0
6
23
1
48
NW
 
 
 
 
 
 
2400
ROA
 
 
35.3
71
3
12
28
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2400 
ROK
45.2
24.7
35.0
71
3
10
29
0
4
25
0
46
NW
13
0
0
0
1
2
2200
AKQ
47.9
24.9
36.4
76
4
-5
28
 0
1
22 
1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2400
WOO
43.5
25.4
34.4
67
3
07
22,23
0
8
22
0
 
 
 
0
0
1
2400
WSH
41.2
23.7
32.5
64.7
3
5.1
22
0
9
24
0
26
SE
13
0
0
0
2
0
2400
VNA
42.4
24.4
33.4
70
4
06
22
0
10
25
0
 
 
 
0
0
0
1
1
2200
NORTH CAROLINA
AVL
45.4
26.5
36.0
67
2
12
27
0
7
25
0
53
NW
 
 
 
 
 
 
2400
BRE
53.5
28.4
40.9
64
13
15
6,15,+ 
0
0
12+
0
56
 
13+
0
0
2
0
0
2100
CLT
49.0
29.6
39.3
73
13
11
27
0
2
20
0
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2400
RAL
50.0
27.2
38.6
74
3
05
28
0
0
24
0
37
 
11
0
0
3
2
2
2400
RDU
48.5
28.2
38.4
74
3
01
28
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2400
ROX
47.2
29.0
38.1
72
3
10
28
0
5
20
0
42
NW
13
2
0
5
4
2
2100
ILM
54.7
34.9
44.8
77
3
21
28
0
0
13
0
44
W
4
 
 
 
 
4
2400
SOUTH CAROLINA
CHS
58.3
36.4
47.4
77
3
21
27
0
0
8
0
37
NW
20
1
 
 
 
4
2400
CAE
53.0
33.1
43.1
77
3
17
27
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2400
CRE
52.9 
34.1 
43.5 
72
13
20
15,28
0
0
13
0
36
N
24
0
0
0
0
7
2400
FLO
52.6 
33.1 
42.9
77
4
17
28
0
0
16
0
44
N
13
 
 
 
 
4
2400
GSP
50.0
33.1
41.6
74
13
19
27
0
1
17
0
36
N
 
 
 
 
 
 
2400
RUB
48.6
32.3
40.4
70
2,3
11
28
0
 
15
0
 
 
 
0
0
2
2
1
2400
NEARBY LOCATIONS
CHW
31.9
17.3
24.6
57.6
3
-3.5
22
0
15
26
2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2400

(Please note the column denotations table below.)
PRECIPITATION / BAROMETRIC PRESSURE


VIRGINIA
STN
T
U
 U1
V
V1
W
X
Y
Z
1
2
3
4
5
6
6A 
7
7A  S
ANN
4.39
1.53
4
1.53
4
8
2
4.39
10.8
25
6
3
17.3
17.3
30.73
15
29.33
25
2400
BCB
2.82
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CEN
1.24 
0.75 
0.75 
4
3.61 
9.6 
25 
17.5 
17.6
30.69 
15 
29.36 
25 
2400 
DCA
3.01
1.22
4
1.22 
6
1
3.01
9.3
25
4
2
14.5
14.5
 
 
 
 
2400
IAD
1.77
0.63
30
0.63
30 
7
0
1.77
10.3
25
5
3
21.4
21.6
 
 
 
 
2400
BRI
1.21
0.52
30
0.52
30
6
0
1.21
5.0
30
8.0 
8.5
30.42
 
29.56
 
0530 
1600
FCH
1.21
0.68
10
0.69
10-11
3
0
1.21
10.0
25
4
3
16.02
16.02
 
 
 
 
 
FRB
3.26
 
 
0.94
30-31
9
0
3.26
5.25
25
7
4
10.75
10.75
 
 
 
 
0800
HAM
4.78 
1.05 
25 
1.22 
9-10
4.78 
7.0
25 
11.5 
11.5 
30.74 
15 
29.28
25 
2100
HER
2.46
0.72
30
0.72
30
7
0
2.46
10+
25
4
3
19.7+
19.8+
30.77
15
29.21
25
2400
HRN
1.87 
0.63 
30
0.63 
30
5
1.87 
10.3 
25 
5
21.4
21.4
30.711
 
29.443 
 
2400 
LKU
2.55 
0.84 
25 
0.84 
25 
2.55 
11.0
25 
14.0 
14.0 
30.67 
 
29.38 
 
2400 
LOU
2.55
1.00
25
 
 
3
0
2.55
10.0
25
4
 
12.0
12.0
30.82
15
29.60
20
0800
LYH
3.33
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NEW
1.20
0.52
30
 
 
8
0
1.20
7.0
30 
11.75
11.75
30.64
15
29.62
25-26
1700
NPN
5.28
1.42
30
1.42
30
11
2
5.28
8.1
25
 
3
13.6
13.6
 
 
 
 
2300
NOR
5.98
1.42
25
1.57
24-25
11
2
5.98
5.1
25
3
2
9.1
9.1
 
 
 
 
2400
ORF
5.07
1.84
14
1.84
14
11
1
5.07
4.7
25
8
3
9.0
9.0
30.22 
16 
29.67 
30 
2400
POR
4.80
1.19
30
1.29
24-25
11
1
4.80
4.0
25
6
2
6.7
6.7
30.758
15
29.232
25
2400
MEC
4.36
1.10
30
1.34
30-31
9
2
4.36
11.2
25
4
2
15.45
17.95
30.20
14
29.26
10
1800
RMD
5.18
1.62
25
 
 
7
2
5.18
13.0
25
4
3
18.5
18.5
 
 
 
 
2300
RIC
3.96
 
 
0.87
12-13
7
2
3.96
 
 
 
 
15.2
15.2
30.24 
15 
29.67 
30 
2400
ROA
2.08
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2400 
ROK
2.33
0.54
10
1.04
9-10
8
0
2.33
3.0
20,30
7
4
9.9
9.9
30.60
14-15
29.54
20
2400
AKQ
5.81
1.60
30
 
 
10
2
5.81
11.0
24
7
3
16.0
16.0
 
 
 
 
2400
WOO
1.44
 
 
0.52
30-31
12
0
1.44 
6.1
31
6
3
12.2
12.8
30.87
15
29.84
20
0800
WSH
1.77
0.60
30
0.60
30
8
0
1.77
10.3
25
8
3
21.4
21.4
30.67
15
29.38
25
2400
VNA
3.33
0.96
4
0.96
4
7
0
3.33
8.5
25
5
3
16.2
16.4
 
 
 
 
2200
NORTH CAROLINA
AVL
3.10
 
 
1.43
9-10
12
1
3.10
4.5
22 
 
 
6.2
6.2
30.70
 14
29.47
20 
2400
BRE
3.77
 
 
1.74
10
7+
1
3.77
6.5
22 
3
1
6.5
6.5
30.69
14
29.79
20
2100
CLT
4.07
 
 
1.05
9-10
13
0
4.07
 
 
 
 
 
 
30.56
 
29.62
 
2400
RAL
5.64
 
 
1.48E
24-25
10
2
5.64
18.0
24-25
5
4
24.0
24.0
30.83
15
29.53
25
1900
RDU
6.03
1.79
25
1.79
25
 
 
6.03
17.9
25
 
 
25.8
25.8
 
 
 
 
2400
ROX
4.59
1.35
30
1.35
30
11
1
4.59
15.0
24
1
1
24.0
24.0
30.69
15
29.46
25
2100
ILM
4.66
1.60
24
1.91
24-25
11
1
4.66
5.0
25 
3
2
6.1
6.1
30.75
15
29.28
25
2400
SOUTH CAROLINA
CHS
4.04
1.23
24
1.62
24-25
12
1
4.04
2.0
26 
2
2
3.0
3.0
30.75
15
29.53
25
2400
CAE
8.88
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.88
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2400
CRE
4.88
 
 
1.55
24-25
13
1
4.88 
 
 
 
 
M
M
30.75
15
29.37
25
2400
FLO
4.58
1.37
24 
1.78
24-25
14
2
4.58 
 
 
 
 
 
 
30.75
15
29.48
25
2400
GSP
3.72
 
 
1.37
9-10
13
0
3.72
3.0 
22 
 
 
4.0 
4.00 
30.69
15 
29.52
20 
2400
RUB
3.38
1.70
10
2.18
9-10
7
1
3.38
6.0
25 
1
3
9.50
9.50
30.90
15
29.70
20,26
2400
NEARBY LOCATIONS
CHW
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

COLUMN DENOTATIONS:

A  maximum mean temperature T total precipitation (inches)
B  minimum mean temperature U maximum calendar day precipitation (inches)
C  monthly mean temperature U1 date of maximum calendar day precipitation
D  maximum temperature V date(s) of maximum daily precipitation
E  date(s) of maximum temperature V1 maximum 24-hour precip. & date(s)
F  minimum temperature W number of days with precip. >= .01"
G  date(s) of minimum temperature  X number of days with precip. >= 1.0"
H  days with maximum temperature >=90 Y year-to-date precipitation (inches)
I  days with maximum temperature <=32 Z maximum calendar day snowfall (inches)
J  days with minimum temperature <=32 1 date of maximum calendar day snowfall (inches)
K  days with minimum temperature <= 0  2 number of days with snowfall
L  peak wind gust (miles per hour)  3 number of days with snowfall >= 1.0"
M  direction of peak wind gust 4  total snowfall for month (inches)
N  date(s) of peak wind gust  5 total snowfall for 1999-2000 season (inches)
O  number of days with thunder  6 maximum barometric pressure (inches)
P  number of days with hail 6A date of maximum barometric pressure 
Q  number of days with glaze 7 minimum barometric pressure (inches)
R  number of days with ice pellets 7A date of minimum barometric pressure
R1 number of days with dense fog (i) incomplete data
S  local observation time for temps/precipitation (M) Missing, if listed in data table
 ~ "about" E estimated
 +  additional indeterminate number of days NR not recorded

STATION  /  LOCATION (MILES & DIRECTION FROM MAIN POST OFFICE) / OBSERVER  / YEAR RECORDS BEGAN /  EMAIL ADDRESS:

ANN    Annandale, VA 1 3/4 ENE - Lowell Koontz  12/90  llkoontz@erols.com ROA    Roanoke, VA  Webmaster (Blacksburg):  William.Perry@noaa.gov
DCA    Arlington, VA NWS Webmaster (Sterling):  james.decarufel@noaa.gov ROK   Roanoke, VA 6SW Wendell Prillaman  4/76
BCB    Blacksburg, VA NWS Webmaster:  William.Perry@noaa.gov VNA    Vienna, VA Robert Boott, 1.5SW boottr@vrinet.com
BRI     Bridgewater, VA Clayton Towers Ctowers@rica.net AKQ    Wakefield, VA NWS Webmaster:  Hugh.Cobb@noaa.gov
CEN   Centreville, VA Paul Bassett 1985 pbassett@digizen.net WSH   Washington, VA  David Yowell runamok@runamok.com
CHO   Charlottesville, VA 3N John Stewart  (Rappahannock County) - 1/91 - Inactive WEE   Weems, VA 3WNW Francis J. Socey
IAD     Dulles International Airport  Webmaster (Sterling): james.decarufel@noaa.gov WOO  Woodstock, VA 5NW Lauck Walton - 12/1/85 jwalton@shentel.net
FCH    Falls Church, VA Erica Page - 3/7/94 ERICA96661@aol.com AVL    Asheville, NC NWS NWS GSP:  bryan.mcavoy@noaa.gov
FRB    Fredericksburg, VA 7SW Ken McKneely mckneelys@email.msn.com BRE    Brevard, NC 1SE Bob Keehn 1/1/90 Bob_Keehn@citcom.net
HAM    Hampton, VA 5NE Dave Kessel 1989 tccdkessel@yahoo.com CLT     Charlotte, NC NWS NWS GSP:  bryan.mcavoy@noaa.gov
HER    Herndon, VA R.M. Beall P- 10/76   T-  1/91  GSO   Greensboro, NC NWS Webmaster (Raleigh/RAH): Richard.Jones@noaa.gov
HRN   Herndon, VA 4SW Russ Topping -  1985 rtopping@erols.com RAL    Raleigh, NC 7NNW  Bob Woodson 6/1/93 woods@pipeline.com
LKU     Louisa, VA 1N Joseph Bowers 1944 - NWS ID  44-5050-02 jmbiii@mnsinc.com RDU   Raleigh-Durham, NC NWS Webmaster:  Richard.Jones@noaa.gov
LOU     Louisa, VA 6S John Bullock (about 1970)
LYH     Lynchburg, VA NWS Webmaster (Blacksburg):  William.Perry@noaa.gov ROX    Roxboro, NC 2SE Merriell A. Jay 1/93
NEW    Newmarket, VA 2W Joyce Winfree joywood@shentel.net ILM     Wilmington, NC NWS  nwsilm@wilmington.net
NPN     Newport News, VA 7N Gary Leonard -  6/91 GaryMLeonard@aol.com CHS   Charleston, SC NWS, courtesy of Eleanor Vallier-Talbot
Eleanor.Vallier-Talbot@noaa.gov evaltal@wpmedia.com
Webmaster Contents CHS: Theodore.Rodgers@noaa.gov
NOR     Norfolk, VA 3NE Jim Fentress 6/1/77 CAE    Columbia, SC NWS 
ORF     Norfolk, VA 5NE NWS 1871 Webmaster (Wakefield): Hugh.Cobb@noaa.gov GSP   Greenville-Spartanburg, SC NWS bryan.mcavoy@noaa.gov
POR     Portsmouth, VA 3S Bill Trotter -  7/1/76  pwrs@pilot.infi.net RUB    Ruby, SC 3 NW Franklin Hancock
MEC     Mechanicsville, VA Glen Martin 11/19/91  FLO    Florence, SC  nwsilm@wilmington.net
RMD    Richmond, VA Roy Britt 8/22/83 rbritt@erols.com CRE    North Myrtle Beach, SC  nwsilm@wilmington.net
RIC     Richmond, VA NWS Webmaster (Wakefield):  Hugh.Cobb@noaa.gov TRI     Tri-cities/Bristol, TN  NWS Webmaster (Morristown):W-Mrx.Webmaster@noaa.gov
CHW  Canaan Heights, WV Dave Lesher  wxdave@boo.net