Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, February 14, 1992 TAG: 9202140374
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LISA SWIRSKY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
FINALLY, A CHANCE TO DUST OFF SLEDS
Weather-rugged Roanokers aren't fazed by just any little snowfall. It takes at least a good 2 inches.Actually, Roanoke saw 2.2 inches Thursday in the first substantial snowfall since December 1989, according to the National Weather Service's station readings.
The snow began at 2:14 a.m. and reached depths of up to 8 inches at high elevations.
Two to 3 inches fell in the Lexington-Rockbridge County area, according to Lexington police. Two to 3 inches also fell in the New River Valley, the Giles County Sheriff's Department said. Bedford County got an inch, and Franklin County saw a trace as the storm blew through Western and Northern Virginia.
Craig County children got to make the best snowmen, though. Their back yards were dumped with at least 6 inches, according to the weather service.
By 5:30 a.m., Roanoke-area schools had canceled classes for grateful youngsters.
"It was snowing and sleeting and the weather forecast was continued snow changing to freezing rain," said Richard Kelley, assistant superintendent for business for Roanoke schools.
"The state and city don't have enough salt trucks to clear the side streets. Our buses have to travel side streets."
Kelley said it was the type rather than the amount of snow that dictated the decision.
"The snow we get is a wet snow mixed with rain and sleet," Kelley explained. "I'd rather have a dry snow like they get up North than a wet one."
This actually was the second snowfall in Roanoke this year. On Jan. 25 less than half an inch of snow was recorded.
It won't be a white Valentine's Day, though, according to Harry McIntosh, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Roanoke. "I'd almost bet on it," he said.