Snow in Charlottesville (Richmond, Shenandoah: how much, schools, live)

[copperkettle]

Could someone give me a realistic picture of how much snow Charlottesville gets in the winter? I've read a lot of the area posts, but still wanted to get more of idea what to expect snow-wise. My husband and I might be moving to Charlottesville (job offer at UVA) and are really hoping there will be snow! (moving from california ) How much at a time? How long does it last? Ever get a white Christmas? Any input would be great! Thanks!

[Rhett_Butler]

Yes, you'll get snow. Not a whole lot, maybe typically an inch or two at a time. Every so often you'll get a pretty big snowfall (meaning once every 3 years or so....).

Forget about a White Christmas. It's technically possible, but doesn't happen.

What's cool is (if things are like they used to be 15 years ago) the town virtually shuts down when it snows...

[TN Lily]

Rhett Butler has it right.
You are more likely to see ice than snow in many years.
I will take the snow any day over ice.

[copperkettle]

Thanks for your responses! We're getting excited about moving out there. Any amount of snow will be better than what we see here in Sacramento and it sounds like the hills aren't too far away.

[Dr.Jim]

Heh....the hills are quite close. Lots to do in Shenandoah Natl Park, and the surrounding state forests.

[zax_mom]

C'ville doesn't usually get alot of snow.... but you can always trek up to Wintergreen for the day.

[blueva]

Originally Posted by copperkettle

Could someone give me a realistic picture of how much snow Charlottesville gets in the winter? I've read a lot of the area posts, but still wanted to get more of idea what to expect snow-wise. My husband and I might be moving to Charlottesville (job offer at UVA) and are really hoping there will be snow! (moving from california ) How much at a time? How long does it last? Ever get a white Christmas? Any input would be great! Thanks!

Ive lived in Virginia my whole life and have never seen a White Christmas. We may get a dusting of snow in December- usually our snows are in January and February. I grew up in Loudoun County (NOVA) and even up there the snow is much less than further north and west. I hate snow, so thats a plus for me.

C-ville being closer to the mountains will get a bit more snow than Richmond

[stockdale.35]

You can expect 12-16 inches in a year, from late late Dec to early early March. 12 inches fall mostly in Jan and Feb.

[badger74]

But they will close schools for days with a few inches of snow. It tends to stay longer in some of the back country roads in the mountains and hills.

[blueva]

Originally Posted by stockdale.35

You can expect 12-16 inches in a year, from late late Dec to early early March. 12 inches fall mostly in Jan and Feb.

Snow in March in Virginia is extremely rare. Our "spring" feel weather usually starts at the end of February. At least in Richmond it does.