POSTCARD VIEWS—U.S. 21 North was still covered with snow on Monday morning, creating a beautiful view overlooking this farm field. Such ‘postcard views' were plentiful throughout the county after about eight inches of snow fell.

Eight inches of snow blanket county through early Monday

An average of more than eight inches of snow fell countywide Sunday through early Monday, creating travel problems for many local residents. The snowfall, the first major snow of the season, marked the beginning of March "coming in like a lion" in Alleghany County, which, according to folk wisdom, should mean the month will "go out like a lamb" with milder weather. Up until the current snow, the county had only seen a few snowfall events of a couple inches or less this season.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Phil Hysell, based in the regional office in Blacksburg, which covers a large area including Alleghany County, said snowfall amounts of eight inches were reported in downtown Sparta, while amounts of 8.5 and 9.5 inches were reported by volunteer weather spotters south of town.

Some locations with climate history data in the region were reporting the most snowfall in five years in any 24-hour period. Meanwhile, the 10 inches reported in Lynchburg were the highest 24-hour total since 1996.

"A strong area of low pressure moved up through the Gulf states and as it did so it brought a wide swath of heavy snow to the area," Hysell said.

The snow should help improve the lingering drought, but "to what degree we'll have to see when the new report is released on March 12." As of Feb. 24, the county is listed in drought status ranging from moderate drought in the south to ‘abnormally dry' conditions in the north. Since the snow will take time to evaporate, Hysell said, "Hopefully a lot of this will soak into the ground."

 

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