Prior to today, I think Virginia was already looking at possibly the one of the snowiest winters on record.  However, as you can see by the forecast below, I think the deal may be sealed by this humdinger!   Strangely, I was just in Vermont for some skiing and there is  actually more snow here, then there. People around here though,  get very anxious when there is even mention for snow in the forecast.  Schools, flights and jobs have all been canceled just in anticipation of this one.  Most people are buying multiple gallons of milk and half a dozen or so loafs of bread (even though they typically only go through about one of each in a week) probably where the term snowmageddon comes from.  The forecast below is the current Winter Storm Warning for central VA.  Looks like another Virginia powder ski day!

… WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EST SATURDAY…

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EST SATURDAY.

* PRECIPITATION TYPE… HEAVY SNOW.

* ACCUMULATIONS… WIDESPREAD STORM TOTAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 20 TO 30 INCHES… WITH SOME LOCATIONS IN EXCESS OF 30 INCHES.

* TIMING… SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING. CONDITIONS WILL DETERIORATE RAPIDLY THIS AFTERNOON… WITH HEAVIEST SNOWFALL OCCURRING FROM SUNSET THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING. THE MOST HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS WILL OCCUR TONIGHT.

* VISIBILITIES… WIDESPREAD VISIBILITIES AROUND ONE-QUARTER MILE ARE EXPECTED TONIGHT IN HEAVY SNOW. STRONG WINDS WILL COMBINE WITH THE SNOW ALONG THE MARYLAND CHESAPEAKE BAY AND TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER TO REDUCE VISIBILITIES TO WELL BELOW ONE-QUARTER MILE… PRODUCING NEAR-BLIZZARD CONDITIONS TONIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING.

* TEMPERATURES… HIGHS IN THE LOWER 30S TODAY. TEMPERATURES WILL BE IN THE MID TO UPPER 20S TONIGHT AND SATURDAY.

* WINDS… BECOMING NORTHEAST 10 TO 20 MPH LATE TODAY. GUSTS OF 20 TO 30 MPH TONIGHT AND SATURDAY… HIGHER NEAR THE COAST.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

THIS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS STORM IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE RECORD SNOWFALL FOR THE BALTIMORE AND WASHINGTON DC METROPOLITAN AREAS. TRAVEL CONDITIONS TONIGHT ACROSS THE REGION WILL BE EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS AND LIFE-THREATENING. HELP YOUR LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT FIRST RESPONDERS AND TRANSPORTATION AGENCIES BY STAYING OFF THE ROADS.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE… ESPECIALLY NEAR THE COASTLINE.

This past weekend, my wife Maggie and son Chase and I decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather we were having here in central Virginia and take a hike in the Shenandoah National Park. The park, located about 10 miles door to door from our house, offers a wide variety of outdoor activities. Though hiking is among the most popular, it is also has an impressive native trout population as well as an abundance of other wildlife. The park was a favorite among early conversationalists such as John Muir, who said his two favorite places in all the world were Yosemite and Shenandoah. No surprise really, once you step foot into the park boundaries, massive Poplars, Oak and Cedars tower over thick, lush underbrush.  There are several mountain streams as well as amazing views of the Blue Ridge Mountains (part of the Appalachian).  On this particular day we hiked the Staunton River Trail that eventually leads to an area known locally as Bear Church Rocks.  From there visitors are offered stunning 360 degree mountain views.  The total hike is probably between 6-10 miles and is fairly steep at the top and usually takes 4-6 hours to complete, one of the best day hikes around!

As some people out there are beginning to look forward to spring, others are still in the midst of enjoying the winter season.  If you are a skier in the Wasatch you are probably smiling at the fact that winter has decided to finally show up!  I am headed out to Alta in April and I am very happy to hear that they are finally getting some much needed snow.  A friend of mine posted some pictures of Snowbird Ski Resort and as of the end of December there was still grass poking through the sun crusted snow!  That is highly unusual for a region of the US that boasts annual snowfall averages of over 600″!  In light of the Wasatch mountains of Northern Utah getting some snow at last, I have posted some links to a great outdoor gear sale currently going on at Camp Saver.  Appropriately named the “Better Late Than Never Sale”;)

Click here for up to 50% select Mountain Hardwear products.

Click here for no sales tax on your next order at Campsaver.com. (Excludes Utah residents.)

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