Yet, the environment can be highly changeable, especially from late autumn through spring. During this period, both arctic and tropic air have easy access to the region. Winter can vary greatly from one season to the next. Total snowfall has ranged from less than 5 inches to more than 70 inches. Normally, around 30 inches of snow falls from November through March.
Heavy snows are infrequent.
Rarely are more than 5 inches of snow deposited in a 24 hour period. Winter snow amounts increase dramatically over the Appalachians, less than 50 miles to the east. High temperatures during the winter average in the lower 40s, with lows in the mid 20s. However, during each winter, temperatures will remain below freezing for a few days. Prolonged cloudiness and snow flurries frequently accompany cold weather.