Very strong lifting of a moist air mass in the presence of an upper level low pressure system resulted in a heavy wet snowfall event during the period from around noon est until early evening. Atmospheric dynamics were so intense at times, that lightning was generated; i.e.  thundersnow. Much of the snow accumulated across the region from Central East Tennessee northeast through Southwest Virginia, generally north of Interstate 40 and east of Interstate 75. The upper level low moved east from Northern to Northeast Georgia generating 3 to 5 inches of snow across the Great Valley of Central East Tennessee northeast to the Tri-Cities area. Much greater snowfall amounts occurred across Southwest Virginia with enhancement in the higher terrain in this region as well as over the mountains of Northeast Tennessee. In these areas, snowfall amounts ranged from 6 inches to as much as a foot in the highest elevations across Southwest Virginia.

Heavy Snow in HAMBLEN, TENNESSEE
From 17-JAN-13 12:30:00 to 17-JAN-13 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Public

Four inches of snow was reported three miles north of Morristown.

Heavy Snow in NORTHWEST GREENE, TENNESSEE
From 17-JAN-13 13:30:00 to 17-JAN-13 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A snowfall amount of 3.6 inches was reported three miles south of Greeneville.

Heavy Snow in HANCOCK, TENNESSEE
From 17-JAN-13 12:30:00 to 17-JAN-13 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A snowfall amount of 3.5 inches was reported one mile north of Kyles Ford.

Heavy Snow in GRAINGER, TENNESSEE
From 17-JAN-13 12:00:00 to 17-JAN-13 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A snowfall amount of 5.6 inches was reported four miles northeast of Rutledge.

Heavy Snow in SULLIVAN, TENNESSEE
From 17-JAN-13 14:00:00 to 17-JAN-13 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Four inches of snow was reported two miles south of Colonial Heights.

Heavy Snow in SULLIVAN, TENNESSEE
From 17-JAN-13 14:10:00 to 17-JAN-13 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Four inches of snow was reported three miles southeast of Bristol, Tennessee.

Heavy Snow in HAMBLEN, TENNESSEE
From 17-JAN-13 12:30:00 to 17-JAN-13 17:45:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Public

Four inches of snow was reported at Morristown.

Heavy Snow in HAMBLEN, TENNESSEE
From 17-JAN-13 12:30:00 to 17-JAN-13 18:35:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Public

Five inches of snow was reported in the vicinity of Russellville on Little Mountain.

Heavy Snow in NORTHWEST CARTER, TENNESSEE
From 17-JAN-13 14:45:00 to 17-JAN-13 18:20:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A snowfall amount of 3.5 inches was reported four miles west of Elizabethton.

Heavy Snow in SULLIVAN, TENNESSEE
From 17-JAN-13 14:15:00 to 17-JAN-13 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Snowfall of 3.5 inches was reported in Blountville at the Tri-Cities Regional airport.

Heavy Snow in SULLIVAN, TENNESSEE
From 17-JAN-13 14:00:00 to 17-JAN-13 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Six inches of snow was reported one mile west northwest of Bristol.

Heavy Snow in SULLIVAN, TENNESSEE
From 17-JAN-13 14:00:00 to 17-JAN-13 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A snowfall amount of 4.5 inches was reported four miles southwest of Kingsport.

Heavy Snow in UNION, TENNESSEE
From 17-JAN-13 13:30:00 to 17-JAN-13 16:08:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Five inches of snow was reported at Maynardville.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHEAST CARTER, TENNESSEE
From 17-JAN-13 14:00:00 to 17-JAN-13 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

A snowfall amount of 4.5 inches was reported on Roan Mountain at Roan Mountain State Park.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHEAST CARTER, TENNESSEE
From 17-JAN-13 14:45:00 to 17-JAN-13 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

Five inches of snow was reported five miles south southwest of Roan Mountain.

Heavy Snow in CLAIBORNE, TENNESSEE
From 17-JAN-13 12:00:00 to 17-JAN-13 16:30:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Public

Four inches of snow was reported near New Tazewell.

Heavy Snow in COCKE/SMOKY MOUNTAINS, TENNESSEE
From 17-JAN-13 13:50:00 to 17-JAN-13 20:45:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Amateur Radio

A snowfall amount of 4.8 inches was reported at Cosby.

Heavy Snow in WASHINGTON, TENNESSEE
From 17-JAN-13 14:30:00 to 17-JAN-13 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: NWS Employee

Four inches of snow was reported at Johnson City.

Heavy Snow in WASHINGTON, TENNESSEE
From 17-JAN-13 14:00:00 to 17-JAN-13 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall of 4.2 inches was reported one mile east of Gray.

Heavy Snow in WASHINGTON, TENNESSEE
From 17-JAN-13 13:45:00 to 17-JAN-13 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall of 4.1 inches was reported two miles south southwest of Jonesborough.

Heavy Snow in SEVIER/SMOKY MOUNTAINS, TENNESSEE
From 17-JAN-13 13:00:00 to 17-JAN-13 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Eight inches of snow was reported five miles southeast of Gatlinburg at Mount Leconte.

Heavy Snow in ANDERSON, TENNESSEE
From 17-JAN-13 11:40:00 to 17-JAN-13 16:51:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Public

Four inches of snow was reported at Norris.