Category — snow

Earlier this month when Punxsutawney Phil predicted another 6 weeks of winter, many of us scoffed: what winter? But over the weekend, during one of Virginia’s up ‘til now mildest winters on record, Smith Mountain Lake received a long overdue smattering of snow snow snow.

By late Sunday afternoon, back roads in Moneta, Wirtz, and throughout Bedford and Franklin counties became treacherous and all but 4-wheel drive vehicles met great difficulty navigating hills and curves. The storm wasn’t limited to just the lake area however. The entire state and much of the region was hit hard, with the Roanoke area receiving more than its fair share of the white stuff.

The temperature is supposed to climb into the 50’s by Tuesday, so we can all expect a big wet soggy mess for at least the next week.

Smith Mountain Lake and the surrounding area were in the mood to break records this last weekend. Record breaking snow fall blanketed the area leaving some places with over 2 feet of snow! Lake dwellers saw more snow in this one monster storm than what they normally see for the year! Just as an example, in January of 2008, Franklin County saw a total of 4 inches of snow for the whole month! As residents dig out and road crews work to clear secondary roads, here are a few tips to remember for this wintry weather.

If you are going to be driving, take along a small winter weather driving kit. Make sure to include extra blankets, this really can be a life saver if you end up getting stuck in the snow. Keeping extra snack bars in your vehicle can be a good idea too. Of course you will want the basics of a small shovel, ice scraper, and booster cables. Candles and matches are always good to have on hand, but remember to crack the window open to avoid carbon monoxide build up. A bag of kitty litter or sand will come in handy if you run off the road. By spreading some in front of your tires, it will help you get the traction you need to get back on the road.

Smith Mountain Lake doesn’t normally get a lot of snow or ice. More wintry mix is being called for over the holidays, so make sure and plan ahead if you need to travel. Always let someone know where you are going and how you are getting there. Keep your cell phone charged in case you need to call for help.

While all this may seem like simple things, it is easy to forget when you don’t normally have to deal with this much snow. If you want to live somewhere that doesn’t normally get 18 inches of snow, come for a visit, if you like it then move here!

If you want more information on living in Franklin County and Bedford County Virginia, call Vicki Millehan! She is a long time resident of Smith Mountain Lake and a local real estate expert!