Coastal low pressure rapidly intensified as it tracked up the Mid-Atlantic coast. At the same time, high pressure to the north was funneling cold air into the region. The strong low pressure system was able to tap into moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean resulting in heavy amounts of precipitation. The cold air caused that precipitation to fall in the form of snow.
Gusty winds also accompanied this storm. The combination of gusty winds and low visibility along with snow and blowing snow caused blizzard conditions across portions of northern Virginia.

Winter Storm in WESTERN LOUDOUN, VIRGINIA
From 22-JAN-16 13:00:00 to 24-JAN-16 00:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall reports between 30 and 36 inches were received across western Loudoun County. Snowfall totaled up to 36.3 inches near Round Hill. A report of 36.0 inches was received near Bluemont.

Winter Storm in CLARKE, VIRGINIA
From 22-JAN-16 13:00:00 to 24-JAN-16 00:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall totaled up to 35.0 inches near Berryville. A report of 28.5 inches was received from Boyce.

Winter Storm in PRINCE WILLIAM, VIRGINIA
From 22-JAN-16 13:00:00 to 24-JAN-16 00:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall amounts between 19 and 32 inches were reported across Prince William County. Snowfall totaled up to 30.0 inches near Bull Run and 18.5 inches of snow was reported near Dumfries.

Winter Storm in SPOTSYLVANIA, VIRGINIA
From 22-JAN-16 13:00:00 to 24-JAN-16 00:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall amounts between 17 and 24 inches were reported across Spotsylvania County.

Winter Storm in STAFFORD, VIRGINIA
From 22-JAN-16 13:00:00 to 24-JAN-16 00:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall amounts between 15 and 24 inches were reported across Stafford County.

Winter Storm in KING GEORGE, VIRGINIA
From 22-JAN-16 13:00:00 to 24-JAN-16 00:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall totaled up to 16.0 near Shiloh and 14.0 in Jersey.

Winter Storm in NORTHERN FAUQUIER, VIRGINIA
From 22-JAN-16 13:00:00 to 24-JAN-16 00:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Unknown

Snowfall amounts were estimated to be between 24 and 36 inches based on observations nearby.

Winter Storm in SOUTHERN FAUQUIER, VIRGINIA
From 22-JAN-16 13:00:00 to 24-JAN-16 00:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall amounts were reported to be between 18 and 30 inches across southern Fauquier County. A snowfall report of 30.0 inches was received in Opal and 18.0 inches of snow fell near Bealeton.

Blizzard in FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA
From 23-JAN-16 14:00:00 to 23-JAN-16 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Unknown

Blizzard conditions were estimated based on observations nearby. Snowfall reports were between 23 and 31 inches across Fairfax County.

Blizzard in CENTRAL VIRGINIA BLUE RIDGE, VIRGINIA
From 23-JAN-16 03:00:00 to 23-JAN-16 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Unknown

Blizzard conditions were estimated based on observations nearby. Snowfall amounts were estimated to be between two and three feet based on observations nearby.

Winter Storm in EASTERN HIGHLAND, VIRGINIA
From 22-JAN-16 10:00:00 to 23-JAN-16 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Unknown

Snowfall amounts were estimated to be between 20 an 30 inches based on observations nearby.

Blizzard in NORTHERN VIRGINIA BLUE RIDGE, VIRGINIA
From 23-JAN-16 03:00:00 to 23-JAN-16 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Unknown

Blizzard conditions were estimated based on observations nearby. Snowfall amounts were estimated to be near three feet based on observations nearby.

Winter Storm in WESTERN HIGHLAND, VIRGINIA
From 22-JAN-16 10:00:00 to 23-JAN-16 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Public

Snowfall totaled up to 30.0 inches near Hightown.

Blizzard in ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA
From 23-JAN-16 14:00:00 to 23-JAN-16 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: ASOS

Blizzard conditions were reported at Reagan National Airport. Snowfall reports were between 18 and 26 inches across Arlington County.

Blizzard in EASTERN LOUDOUN, VIRGINIA
From 23-JAN-16 05:00:00 to 23-JAN-16 16:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: ASOS

Blizzard conditions were reported at Dulles International Airport. Snowfall reports between 28 and 36 inches were received across eastern Loudoun County.

Winter Storm in PAGE, VIRGINIA
From 22-JAN-16 11:00:00 to 23-JAN-16 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall totaled up to 27.0 inches in Luray. A snowfall report of 24.5 inches was received near Ida and 24.0 inches fell near Panorama.

Winter Storm in RAPPAHANNOCK, VIRGINIA
From 22-JAN-16 11:00:00 to 23-JAN-16 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall totaled up to 23.0 inches near Fourway.

Winter Storm in AUGUSTA, VIRGINIA
From 22-JAN-16 10:00:00 to 23-JAN-16 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall totaled up to 22.0 inches near Hermitage and 18.3 at Fishersville.

Winter Storm in ROCKINGHAM, VIRGINIA
From 22-JAN-16 10:00:00 to 23-JAN-16 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall totaled up to 22.5 inches near Dayton.

Winter Storm in ALBEMARLE, VIRGINIA
From 22-JAN-16 11:00:00 to 23-JAN-16 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall totaled up to 30 inches near Carrsbrook. A snowfall report of 20.5 inches was received in Crozet and 15.5 inches of snow fell near Charlottesville.

Winter Storm in WARREN, VIRGINIA
From 22-JAN-16 11:00:00 to 23-JAN-16 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall totaled up to 28.0 inches near Karo and also near Riverton. A snowfall report of 32.1 inches was received about one mile north of Karo.

Winter Storm in MADISON, VIRGINIA
From 22-JAN-16 11:00:00 to 23-JAN-16 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall totaled up to 24.5 inches in Haywood and 14.5 inches near Madison.

Winter Storm in GREENE, VIRGINIA
From 22-JAN-16 11:00:00 to 23-JAN-16 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Unknown

Snowfall amounts were estimated to be between 15 and 25 inches based on observations nearby.

Winter Storm in ORANGE, VIRGINIA
From 22-JAN-16 11:00:00 to 23-JAN-16 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall totaled up to 15.0 inches near Locust Grove and 18.0 inches near Barboursville.

Winter Storm in CULPEPER, VIRGINIA
From 22-JAN-16 11:00:00 to 23-JAN-16 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall totaled up to 17.0 inches near Rixeyville and 24.0 inches near Amissville. A report of 21.0 inches was also reported about three miles east of Amissville.

Winter Storm in NELSON, VIRGINIA
From 22-JAN-16 10:00:00 to 23-JAN-16 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A snowfall amount of 13 inches was reported near Nellysford.

Winter Storm in SHENANDOAH, VIRGINIA
From 22-JAN-16 11:00:00 to 23-JAN-16 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall totaled up to 28.0 inches near Clary. Strasburg had a report of 22.8 inches of snow.

Winter Storm in FREDERICK, VIRGINIA
From 22-JAN-16 12:00:00 to 23-JAN-16 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall amounts between 25 and 38 inches were received across Frederick County. Snowfall totaled up to 38 inches near Gainesboro. A snowfall report of 35.0 inches was received near Stephens City and 24.5 inches was reported in Middletown.