Winter in Virginia is often characterized as mild, yet anyone who’s spent time here in the Old Dominion can attest to the fact that winter storms in Virginia can be pretty brutal. In fact, throughout the years, there have been some serious blizzards in Virginia. From blistering winds and freezing temperatures to record snowfall in Virginia, the season is often filled with ups and downs. Need further proof? Read on for some of the worst winter storms in Virginia.

1. The Blizzard of 1888, a.k.a. "The White Hurricane."
Elyse/flickr
From March 11th - 13th strong winds and snow swept through Virginia, taking down electric lines and telephone poles all the way up to New York. The Potomac River's Tidal Basin was emptied and coastal areas were eventually flooded.
2. The Blizzard of 1899, a.k.a. "The Great Arctic Outbreak."
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Just 10 years after the Great White Blizzard, another monster of a snowstorm rolled in. This Great Eastern Blizzard dumped a whopping 54 inches of snow in parts of Northern Virginia, including Warrenton. This month was historically frigid; there were reports of ice flowing from the Mississippi River into the Gulf of Mexico.

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3. The Blizzard of 1993, a.k.a. "The Superstorm Of March '93"
DavidByronKeener / Getty Images
Between March 13th and 14th, a massive storm caused over 100 deaths. A foot of snow fell over the East Coast, and horrifying conditions caused 11 tornados. In some parts of Northern Virginia, snow drifts measured 12 feet in height.
4. The Winter Storm of 2009, a.k.a. "Snowpocalypse"
Elyse/flickr
During December 18th - 19th, a quick and heavy snowfall produced several feet of snow throughout the state of Virginia. What made this storm particularly memorable was the aftermath. The governor declared a state of emergency. Moreover, there was a terrible pothole crisis after the storm. Nearly 55,000 potholes were filled as a result.
5. The Blizzard of 2010, a.k.a. "Snowmageddon."
drumz63/flickr
No one who was living in Virginia during the winter of 2010 will forget Snowmageddon. Starting on February 5th, snow fell abnormally fast and quickly piled up to 46 inches in some areas. February of 2010 was considered the snowiest month as recorded by Dulles Airport since it began taking measurements in 1963.

Of course, these are just a few of the many jarring winter storms in Virginia history. Which do you remember as particularly severe? What was your experience during a blizzard in Virginia? Remember any other Virginian winter storms? We’d love to hear from you!

Winter in Virginia isn’t just snowstorms. There are lots of ways to have fun during the season. And if you’re looking for a memorable cold weather activity, you’ll definitely want to check out Virginia’s Frozen Waterfall Road Trip!

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Winter Storms In Virginia

Daniella DiRienzo | October 02, 2021

Have there been any other history-making blizzards in Virginia?

Over the centuries, there have been lots of history-making blizzards in Virginia. One of the worst winter storms in Virginia took place on January 28, 1772. A few facts about this history-making blizzard in Virginia:

  • Both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson wrote about the snowstorm in their diaries.
  • Each noted that roughly three feet of snow fell, which, at the time, was record snowfall in Virginia.
  • Eighty-five years later, another unforgettable winter in Virginia took place in January of 1857. Dubbed the Great Blizzard, the storm dumped a foot of snow and brought with it winds that wreaked havoc on ships at sea and nearly buried Norfolk under 20-foot snowdrifts.

What are some fun activities to do during winter in Virginia?

There are tons of things to do during winter in Virginia. Check out this list for some great ideas:

  • Skiing
  • Snowboarding
  • Ice skating
  • Take a whale-watching tour. There are several tour companies in Virginia, including Rudee Tours.

 

Aside from record snowfall in Virginia, what’s another record-breaking weather event?

Winter storms in Virginia aren’t the only natural disaster the state is subject to. Over the years, Virginia has been impacted by numerous hurricanes; one of the worst was Hurricane Agnes. This storm caused the following damage:

  • Descending on the state in 1972, Hurricane Agnes produced some of the worst flooding in the state’s history.
  • The hurricane caused the James River to crest at a record-making 36.5 feet in Richmond.
  • When all was said and done, the storm caused $222 million in damage.
  • Hurricane Agnes also claimed the lives of 16 people.

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