The possibility of measurable snow in Virginia during May

VIRGINIA — While snow in May may seem improbable in Virginia, historical weather data shows that measurable snowfall during this month, though rare, has occurred.

According to records from the National Weather Service and local climatological data, measurable May snowfall in Virginia is extremely uncommon, especially in lower elevations and more populated regions.

However, higher elevations in the western part of the state, such as the Blue Ridge Mountains and parts of the Allegheny Mountains, have occasionally experienced late-season snow.

The most notable example occurred on May 7, 1989, when parts of western Virginia received trace amounts to over an inch of snow due to an unusually cold air mass.

In general, the probability of measurable snowfall in May across most of Virginia is less than 1 percent, and it typically requires a perfect combination of unseasonably cold temperatures and moisture.

While not entirely out of the question, snow in May is a historical rarity in Virginia, and residents are far more likely to experience springlike temperatures than wintry conditions during this month.