THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, January 6, 1996 TAG: 9601060239
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE STONE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 106 lines
First, it's supposed to snow. And then, it's supposed to really snow.
A major winter storm, possibly the worst locally since 1989, is expected to turn Virginia and North Carolina white today as it chugs eastward, threatening to dump a foot or more of snow along its path.
Hampton Roads should see its first snow this afternoon, but forecasters warn that the really heavy snowfall won't hit until Sunday. That's when the storm should move offshore, east of the Carolinas, and intensify.
``Once it works out to sea, it will be throwing back more moisture to add to the misery'' in Southeast Virginia and Northeast North Carolina, said meteorologist Patrick Walshe of The Weather Channel in Atlanta. ``So you guys are in for a pretty good snow event there. There will be an area that could receive as much as a foot of snow.''
The National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch for today and Sunday for much of the state, including Hampton Roads. And with its forecasts calling for a 100 percent chance of snow in Southeast Virginia, people were starting to get ready Friday.
At the Rack & Sack on North Military Highway in Norfolk, cars crowded the parking lot. Shoppers going into the store had to return to the parking lot to ask departing customers for their carts. Inside, talk was of snows past and to come as shoppers stocked up on beverages, frozen food and storm supplies.
``Since I walked in the door at 3 o'clock, they have been lining up in here,'' said June Gibson, service manager at Be-Lo on Indian River Road in Chesapeake. ``They're buying food and a whole lot of it.''
Shoppers quickly stripped the racks of snow shovels at the HQ Warehouse on Virginia Beach Boulevard in Virginia Beach. But the store was able to restock on most other popular items, said Chuck Crowthers, the store's group sales manager.
``We do have plenty of salt and large quantities of pipe insulation, tons of plastic for windows and plenty of water heater blankets,'' Crowthers said. ``We have plenty of salt,'' he promised, ``but we're running real short now on windshield scrapers.''
Other popular items at most stores included batteries and lamp oil.
Forecasting snow in Hampton Roads has long been a challenge for meteorologists. The region often sits on the line between rain and snow, sometimes getting a messy mix. And even when snow falls inland, slightly warmer onshore winds often deliver rain to the region.
This time, however, they are certain snow will be the rule. Three key elements are at play in the snow scenario.
First, high pressure over the eastern Great Lakes is pumping plenty of cold air, well below the freezing mark, through Virginia and deep into North Carolina.
Second, the storm, developing as expected over eastern Texas Friday, was to strengthen overnight as it passed over the lower Mississippi Valley, drawing moisture from the Gulf of Mexico. It should move northeast toward the mid-Atlantic region today and off the Carolinas Sunday.
Third, as the storm reaches the coast, warm, moist air over the Atlantic will be drawn into it. That will move over the colder air and amplify the snowfall as the storm intensifies offshore.
``This strengthening will create windy conditions . . . causing some blowing and drifting of snow in Southeastern Virginia,'' the Weather Service said. ``The highest snowfall totals will likely occur across Southeastern and Eastern Virginia.''
State highway crews are ready, said Bob Spieldenner, a spokesman for the transportation department.
``All the equipment is loaded up, and we've got the plows and the spreaders on all the trucks,'' Spieldenner said. About 200 trucks are ready to roll in Hampton Roads, and more than 560 employees are on alert.
``I'm looking forward to this actually,'' Spieldenner said, admitting the plow drivers might feel differently. ``We haven't had a good snow in awhile.''
If the forecasts hold true, this storm could rank among the region's major snowfalls, including the blizzards of 1980 and 1989.
Snowfalls in excess of a foot have been reported three times in Norfolk since continuous weather observations began in 1871:
Dec. 27, 1892, 17.7 inches.
Feb. 17-18, 1989, 14.2 inches.
Feb. 6-7, 1980, 12.4 inches. MEMO: SURVIVING WHEN DRIVING IN SNOW
The best advice for driving when it snows in Hampton Roads is: Don't.
If you must drive, however, Virginia State Police, the Department of
Motor Vehicles and the National Weather Service offer these tips:
Slow down. Significantly. Posted speed limits are based on optimal
highway conditions. A highway posted at 55 mph may be safely traveled at
35 mph or less when snow-covered or icy.
Bald is bad. Check your tires. Have a good set of all-weather or snow
tires. And if your tires lack tread or are bad, don't drive in snow or
ice.
Clean up. Scrape snow from all windows and don't forget headlights
and tail lights.
Drive smart. Keep plenty of extra distance between vehicles. Use
headlights at all hours. Buckle up.
Tap the breaks. If you start to skid or need to slow down, do not
slam on the breaks. That's the fastest way to guarantee you will spin
out. Instead, pump the brakes lightly.
Steer smart. If you are caught in a skid, you may be able to regain
control through careful steering and tapping the breaks. If you have
rear-wheel drive, steer into the direction that you are skidding toward
until regaining control; with front-wheel drive, steer in the direction
you want to go.
Slow down. Yes, we said it before. It bears saying again.
KEYWORDS: WEATHER by CNB