Local schools & universities closed ... another snow day

Another 3-4" of snow has been added to the 20" on the ground from the weekend.
Opened roadways result in mountains of snow.

The road was finally cleared in this earlier photo but the overnight snow has it covered again while waiting for VDOT.

A neighbor's American flag proudly waves.

Snow on the porch roof is piled up.

Snowy winter wonderland.

Everything is covered with fresh layer of the white stuff.

View from the deck.

James Madison University, Blue Ridge Community College, Mary Baldwin College, Bridgewater College ... all are closed today as well as local public schools including Augusta, Staunton, and Waynesboro. Complete list of closing is here.

Overnight saw 3-4" of new snow in western Augusta County while locations north of here saw much more. The big news today is dangerous wind chill temps as wind gusts up to 40 mph are expected while temperatures remain in the lower 20s.

WHSV TV-3 has the latest:

A Blizzard Warning has been issued for Highland, Pendleton, Hardy, and Grant Counties until 7 am Thursday. Upslope snow will continue through Thursday morning. Total accumulations of 7"- 14" possible along with sustained winds of 20-30 mph and gusts up to 45 mph. Blizzard warning also issued for Warren and Clarke Counties until 7 pm Wednesday.***

*** A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for the entire Valley until Wednesday evening. 4" to 12" of snowfall can be expected. Lower amounts in the southern and central Valley. ***

VALLEY - Snow will taper off in the southern Valley Wednesday morning and continue in the norther Valley as wrap around snow develops around the coastal low pressure. High temperatures remain in the upper 20's. Snow totals in the southern Valley will stay closer to 2" while the northern Valley could see another foot of snow. The snow stops late Wednesday, but winds kick up with gusts to 40 miles per hour and wind chill values near zero. High winds continue into Wednesday night with temperatures in the upper teens. Skies clear again for the end of the week and the weekend with below average temperatures.

It is overcast this morning ... sun is peeking through the clouds occasionally ... with the morning temp at 16 frosty degrees. The bird feeder is the most popular place in the yard as dozens of birds stop by for the open buffet. The winter of 2009-10 continues in the Shenandoah Valley.

Photos by SWAC Girl
Lynn Mitchell
10 February 2010

Minus 1 ... schools closed

Schools in the SWAC area are closed today as the region digs out from the weekend snowstorm that dumped another 1-2 feet of snow on top of what was left from the previous snowstorm. Augusta, Staunton, and Waynesboro schools are closed as well as those in surrounding areas.

The Waynesboro News Virginian reporters covered the storm all weekend.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch has much storm coverage:

STORM COVERAGE
Complete ongoing storm coverage
VIDEOS
• Ride along with a snow plow
• Pedestrians face snow hazards, too
TODAY’S COVERAGE
• Roads could be icy this morning
• Snow keeping many schools closed in central Virginia
MORE COVERAGE
• Storm expected to pack another punch today in Virginia
• Richmond officials better prepared for this storm
• A list of Richmond’s snow-emergency routes
• Canceled or postponed events in Richmond area
• Unofficial snowfall totals
• 2 killed on snowy Southwest Va. interstate
• Wrecks increase as snow intensifies
• Snowbound parents eager for school to resume
• Weather closings, cancellations
SLIDESHOWS
• A season of snow
• Central Virginia digs out again
• Snow fun
• Digging out and having fun
• Williamsburg in White
• Snowfall in Central Virginia
RESOURCES & ALERTS
• Severe weather resources (power outage information)
• View storm conditions (weather radar)
• National Weather Service - Wakefield office
• Monitor the roadways (traffic cameras)
• Submit your storm story
• Get weather alerts on your mobile phone
WEB CAMS STATEWIDE
• Saint Mary’s School - Richmond
• Green Spring Gardens - Alexandria
• Lane Stadium, Virginia Tech - Blacksburg
• Virginia Western Community College - Roanoke
• Windward Towers - Newport News
• National D-Day Memorial - Bedford
PHOTOS
• See our weather shots
• Share your weather photos

Another winter storm is expected to hit the SWAC area Tuesday into Wednesday as the Winter of 2009-10 continues.

Photo by SWAC Girl
Lynn Mitchell
8 February 2010

Augusta County public schools closed Friday

Our road was covered in snow at mid-morning Friday. High winds caused drifting snow which made slick road surfaces.

An Alberta Clipper that zipped through the central Shenandoah Valley Thursday night left behind a skiff of snow, frigid temperatures, high winds, and iced-over roadways. All the latest weather updates are here.

As a result, Augusta County public schools are closed today as well as Rockingham County, Shenandoah County, and Grace Christian private school. Staunton and Waynesboro public schools are on two-hour delays. Blue Ridge Community College is opening at 10:00 a.m.

It was 14 degrees at the SWAC house this morning with high winds that are causing blowing snow with a wind chill in the lower single digits. High temperatures today will be in the upper 20s with overnight lows back into the teens.

Counties west of here are under a winter storm watch through 6 p.m. Friday as snow continues on the western slopes of the Appalachians. Snowshoe must have some heavenly skiing after a week of continuous snowfall.

It's winter in the Shenandoah Valley....

Photo by SWAC Girl
Lynn Mitchell
8 January 2010

Icy wonderland....

Ice-covered snow blanketed the SWAC area leaving treacherous conditions. Roads and sidewalks were covered in a layer of ice causing school closings for a second day.

Snow, ice, freezing rain ... snow day! As many Shenandoah Valley public schools remain closed for a second day, the freezing rain continued this morning with predictions it will taper off by noon. A predicted 3-5" of snow never materialized. We got just enough snow to cover everything before it turned to sleet and freezing rain.

Augusta County public schools and Blue Ridge Community College are closed. Truck drivers still reported for work ... the freight must be moved so no snow day for them.

The woodstove is cranked making it toasty warm as we watch the wintry scene outside. Last night we cooked teriyaki chicken in the cast iron skillet on the woodstove top along with veggie sides cooked in foil. So far there are no electrical outages in our area but icy limbs still may cause disruptions.

It's another snow day!

Photos by SWAC Girl
Lynn Mitchell
January 28, 2009

Schools closed Wednesday ... winter weather

Many Shenandoah Valley public schools will once again be closed on Wednesday due to snow, ice, and freezing rain that moved into the area Monday night.

Augusta County public schools and Blue Ridge Community College are included in that list, according to WHSV TV-3.

It's a messy wintry mix out there. Here's hoping the electricity stays on....

It's winter in the Shenandoah Valley!