VIRGINIA — Virginia has experienced occasional single-storm snowfall totals of a foot or more in February, and historical weather records show that such events, while uncommon, are possible under specific conditions.
February is typically one of the coldest months of the year in Virginia, which increases the likelihood that precipitation falls as snow rather than rain when storm systems move through the region.
Past climate data from the National Weather Service show that several areas of the state — particularly the Shenandoah Valley, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and parts of northern and western Virginia — have recorded 12 inches or more of snow from a single storm during February in previous decades. Even parts of central and eastern Virginia have seen isolated storms reach or exceed that threshold when atmospheric conditions aligned.
These high-impact snow events have generally occurred when cold Arctic air was firmly in place at the surface while a strong low-pressure system moved along or just off the East Coast.
In such cases, moisture from the Atlantic combined with sustained cold air can produce prolonged periods of heavy snow. Storms that slow or intensify near the Mid-Atlantic region have historically been responsible for the largest February snowfall totals.
Climate records indicate that while most February storms produce lighter accumulations, the combination of cold temperatures, abundant moisture, and favorable storm tracks has periodically resulted in single-system snowfall totals near or above one foot in Virginia. These events remain relatively rare but are well documented in the state’s historical weather data.
