THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, March 9, 1996 TAG: 9603090403
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JON FRANK, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
Icy temperatures this morning were expected to break a record low that has stood for almost a half-century as an Arctic air mass settled into Hampton Roads.
``It's going to be unseasonably cold,'' said Mike Rusnak, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Wakefield. ``Dry but cold. Very cold. Record-breaking cold.''
Rusnak and other forecasters predicted Friday that temperatures this morning could drop to 15 degrees. The record low for March 8 is 24, set in 1947.
Highs should get into the mid-30s both today and Sunday. The low tonight could be 20, Rusnak said.
Friday morning's light snow won't be repeated.
``It should be clear all weekend,'' Rusnak said. ``A few clouds here and there, but for the most part, clear and cold.''
Ice on bridges made driving dangerous for commuters Friday morning. About 70 accidents were reported in South Hampton Roads and on the Peninsula.
Many were multi-vehicle pileups, said Tammy Van Dame, a state police spokeswoman, but no serious injuries or fatalities were reported.
Weather service forecasters in Wakefield said they were caught off guard by the snowfall, which measured up to 2 inches in Richmond.
``It was a weak area of low pressure in combination with an upper-level disturbance,'' said Neil Stuart, a Wakefield meteorologist. ``They got together, and it was very quick.''
Trace amounts were reported in South Hampton Roads. Newport News reported 1 inch, Stuart said.
Van Dame said Norfolk and Virginia Beach had a combined total of 19 accidents reported to state troopers. She said there were 16 in Chesapeake, Portsmouth and Suffolk; eight in Williamsburg, James City County and York County; seven in Hampton and Newport News; seven in Isle of Wight County and Franklin; and three in Sussex and Surry counties.
There was a scattering of accidents elsewhere.
Forecasters said temperatures are expected to remain unseasonably cold through the first part of next week. Warming will occur in midweek, with highs back into the 40s and low 50s by Wednesday. ILLUSTRATION: STEVE EARLEY
The Virginian-Pilot
A gust of wind during Friday's unexpected snowstorm grabs Rosalie
Resvaloso's umbrella. She and her friend Ruth Wilkes, right, were
leaving the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier near 15th Street at the
Oceanfront, after visiting a gift shop.
IF YOU'RE DRIVING
State police ask that motorists with questions about road
conditions call:
1-800-367-ROAD.
by CNB