A potent area of low pressure was located over the Tennessee Valley on the morning of Wednesday, January 26th. The warm front associated with the low triggered a period of mixed precipitation early Wednesday morning. There was enough warm air behind the warm front for precipitation to fall in the form of light rain and drizzle later during the late morning into the afternoon.
The low passed through the area late in the afternoon into the evening. A burst of heavier precipitation was associated with the low and at the same time colder air was drawn into the system. This caused a period of heavy snow to bring significant snow accumulation to the area in a short period of time. The heavy snow which fell around the evening rush hour caused numerous traffic accidents along with stranded vehicles especially across northern Virginia. Numerous power outages were also reported across northern Virginia where snowfall was the heaviest.

Winter Storm in SOUTHERN FAUQUIER, VIRGINIA
From 26-JAN-11 15:00:00 to 26-JAN-11 21:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall averaged between five and seven inches across southern Fauquier County.

Winter Storm in RAPPAHANNOCK, VIRGINIA
From 26-JAN-11 15:00:00 to 26-JAN-11 21:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall totaled up to 8.0 inches near Rock Mills.

Winter Storm in CULPEPER, VIRGINIA
From 26-JAN-11 15:00:00 to 26-JAN-11 21:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall totaled up to 6.5 inches near Rixeyville. Snowfall averaged between four and seven inches across the rest of the county.

Winter Storm in CLARKE, VIRGINIA
From 26-JAN-11 15:00:00 to 26-JAN-11 21:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall totaled up to 6.5 inches near Berryville and 7.5 inches near Boyce.

Winter Storm in FREDERICK, VIRGINIA
From 26-JAN-11 13:00:00 to 26-JAN-11 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A report of 10.1 inches of snow was received from near Stephenson. Snowfall averaged between six and nine inches across the rest of the county.

Winter Storm in SHENANDOAH, VIRGINIA
From 26-JAN-11 13:00:00 to 26-JAN-11 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall totaled up to 8.0 inches near Strasburg and 7.8 inches near Toms Brook. Snowfall averaged between six and eight inches across the rest of the county.

Winter Storm in WARREN, VIRGINIA
From 26-JAN-11 15:00:00 to 26-JAN-11 21:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall averaged between eight and eleven inches across the county.

Winter Storm in PAGE, VIRGINIA
From 26-JAN-11 15:00:00 to 26-JAN-11 21:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall averaged between five and seven inches across the county.

Winter Storm in ROCKINGHAM, VIRGINIA
From 26-JAN-11 13:00:00 to 26-JAN-11 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall totaled up to 10.0 inches at Grottoes. Snowfall averaged between five and nine inches across the rest of the county.

Winter Storm in AUGUSTA, VIRGINIA
From 26-JAN-11 13:00:00 to 26-JAN-11 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall averaged between six and ten inches across the county.

Winter Storm in LOUDOUN, VIRGINIA
From 26-JAN-11 15:00:00 to 26-JAN-11 21:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall averaged between six and twelve inches across the county.

Winter Storm in ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA
From 26-JAN-11 15:00:00 to 26-JAN-11 21:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall totaled up to 8.0 inches near Cherrydale. A report of 5.1 inches of snow was received about one mile north-northeast of Baileys Crossroads.

Winter Storm in FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA
From 26-JAN-11 15:00:00 to 26-JAN-11 21:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall totaled up to 7.0 inches near Vienna and 9.0 inches about three mile south of Herndon. Snowfall averaged between six and nine inches across the rest of the county.

Winter Storm in PRINCE WILLIAM, VIRGINIA
From 26-JAN-11 15:00:00 to 26-JAN-11 21:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall averaged between six and nine inches across the county. Snowfall totaled up to 8.6 inches near Gainesville. Numerous accidents were reported due to the weather along with stranded vehicles. Numerous power outages were also reported throughout the county.

Winter Storm in NORTHERN FAUQUIER, VIRGINIA
From 26-JAN-11 15:00:00 to 26-JAN-11 21:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall totaled up to 6.1 inches near Broad Run.

Winter Weather in KING GEORGE, VIRGINIA
From 26-JAN-11 15:00:00 to 26-JAN-11 21:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall totaled up to 2.0 inches at Jersey.

Winter Storm in WESTERN HIGHLAND, VIRGINIA
From 26-JAN-11 00:00:00 to 27-JAN-11 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: COOP Observer

A snowfall total of 5.0 inches was received from Mill Gap.

Winter Storm in EASTERN HIGHLAND, VIRGINIA
From 26-JAN-11 00:00:00 to 26-JAN-11 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall totaled up to 5.0 inches near Mustoe.