High Knob Massif
Afternoon of March 1, 2013
Intersection of State Route 619 & USFS 238
Falling Snow & Thick Rime Open March 2013
Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.
Days spent in icy clouds, with only brief intervals of visibility, have transformed windward slopes and crestlines of the sprawling High Knob Massif into
a vast rime forest.
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Days spent in icy clouds, with only brief intervals of visibility, have transformed windward slopes and crestlines of the sprawling High Knob Massif into
a vast rime forest.
With abundant low-level moisture and orographic lifting, rime levels have dropped unusually low along windward slopes of the massif on west to northwest air flow trajectories ( riming started on SW upslope flow during February 27 ).
High Knob Massif - March 1, 2013
( Snow Falling From Low Clouds Visible In Sky )
Moisture Extraction From Clouds By Trees
Rod Addington Photography
Photographer Roddy Addington documented the first rime at just above 2400 feet, upon driving up State Route 619 from the City of Norton, with thick riming above 3000 feet on March 1.
Persistent rime levels were mainly above 3000 feet on windward slopes and crestlines through March 3, with major rime drop onto the snow pack amid sunshine and gusty conditions during March 4.
March 1, 2013
Remnant High County of High Knob Landform
Measuring RIME Deposition On A Weed
Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.
How thick, 3" to 4"+ on a WEED stem!
High Knob Massif
Feathery & Layered Nature of Rime Deposition
Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.
A general 2" to 6" of rime deposition was observed above 3000 feet, with more to come as low clouds and moisture extraction was expected to continue for a couple more days.
High Knob Massif - March 1, 2013
Endemic Central Appalachian Northern Hardwoods
Dark Tree Trunks Contrast With Rime & Snow
Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.
It is not just a crestline that is rimed but miles of spreading high country with tens of thousands of acres, transforming the Mixed Mesophytic Forest first described in detail by Lucy Braun into a true RIME Forest of beauty and climatic importance.
Sugar Maples ( Acer saccharum var. saccharum ) are both abundant and beautiful during all seasons as a dominant species above 3000 to 3500 feet in the massif, with an outstanding presentation amid such glorious days of rime.
High Knob Massif
Along Forest Service Route 238
Significant Water Content Held By Trees
Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.
Andrew Greear & Joe Carter had measured 5.5" of snowfall during this event up to 9:00 AM March 2, on the windward base of High Knob at the City of Norton Water Plant, with 0.48" of water content in the official NWS rain gauge and 4" of mean ground depth at their elevation of 2342 feet ( * ).
*Ground depths and snow event totals were nearly double this a couple thousand vertical feet higher along the windward side of the massif, not counting any of the RIME water content, such that with more snow falling into March 3 this was going to be a productive water equivalent episode for the lofty basins of High Knob Lake, Big Cherry Lake, and the Norton Reservoirs.
March 1, 2013
High Knob Lake Basin
Rime Coated Valley Floor
Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.
A RIME Forest is something Lucy Braun likely never considered in her many studies of the Cumberlands; however, during the course of a typical winter season it certainly is an important source of added moisture that enriches the biodiversity of these lofty woodlands.
Afternoon of March 1, 2013
Classic High Knob Massif Windward Riming
Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.
Keeping State Route 619 plowed in this continuous upslope snow pattern has been a daily chore, with new snow being plowed in following photos having accumulated into March 1
( i.e., the road was plowed February 28 ).
High Knob Massif
State Route 619 on March 1, 2013
Plowing New Snow On Chestnut Flats
Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.
Its been the Jefferson National RIME Forest
during the February 27 to March 3 period!
Afternoon of March 1, 2013
Jefferson National RIME Forest
Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.
For many lower and middle elevation locations along the upslope side of the Cumberlands its been a pattern of sticking by night, covering the roads, and melting by day.
In fact, the evening of March 2 marked the
4th consecutive night that this had occurred.
In upper elevation communities of the sprawling High Knob Massif, like High Chaparral, Robinson Knob, Moore Knob, Cox Place & Little Mountain, March 2 marked the 5th consecutive night with accumulating snowfall ( melting by day on southern exposures ).
Afternoon of March 1, 2013
High Knob Massif Crest Zone
Accumulating By Day & Night
+Below+High+Knob+Peak+of+Massif+-+Roddy+Addington+PNG+1.png)
Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.
After a 100"+ snowfall season, which 2012-13
has now become amid highest elevations of the
High Knob Massif, the main attraction with this event was not MORE snow but awesome RIME!
Afternoon of March 1, 2013
Spiny RIME Cacti Grow In High Knob Massif
It can, indeed, develop EXOTIC forms.
Remnant Massif of High Knob Landform
Exotic Rime Formatons On March 1, 2013
While finding exotic things amid a RIME Forest is always exciting, the pure majesty of it all is truly beyond written words for anyone never having been amid such a wintry wonderland.
High Knob Massif
Afternoon of March 1, 2013
Heavy Snow & Rime Accumulations
Residents of Wise, Scott, and Lee counties are blessed to have such a wondrous mountain massif sprawling across their united borders as part of an extraordinary landform that extends far beyond this high country to join the ecologically rich
Upper Tennessee & Upper Cumberland
river basins of the southern Appalachians.
March 1, 2013
Afternoon Darkness on High Knob
Extracting Moisture From Clouds
While all seasons up here are special, there is a unique mixture of tranquility and power within
a RIME Forest that is truly magical and soul touching. Places like this are without price.
Afternoon of March 1, 2013
RIME Forest - Where Light & Dark Mix
The above being true as long as everyone realizes this can be a very dangerous journey with steep, hazardous roads and weather conditions that are life threatening.
Bow Bending RIME
High Knob Meadow
Late Afternoon of March 3, 2013
High Knob Meadow of High Knob Massif
Rare Hole In Clouds Opens Above Summit
A rare hole in the NW upslope flow cloud deck briefly opened as photographer Roddy Addington reached lofty High Knob Meadow late on March 3, illuminating trees bent under heavy accumulations of rime desposited during nearly a week spent amid sub-freezing cloud vapor.
March 3, 2013
High Knob Meadow - Elevation 4223 feet
Upslope Clouds Rapidly Reform - Changing Light
As soon as the hole opened, it began filling back in with continued NW upslope flow to generate more snow showers and flurries.
Roddy reported a stiff, steady wind at the summit
which put a sting into the 20 degree air.
March 3, 2013
Looking Toward Grindstone Ridge & NW Flank
Upslope Clouds Develop Back Across Massif
Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.
Observe how thick riming is along the edge of High Knob Meadow.
Snowfall totals during this prolonged event were both significant and rather surprising given daily settlement, melting, and other processes kept ground depths lower.
( Northern Base of High Knob Massif )
City of Norton Water Plant
24-Hour Snowfall Totals At 9:00 AM
February 28: 2.0"
March 1: 0.5"
March 2: 3.0"
( Mean Depth 4" )
March 3: 2.0"
( Mean Depth 5-6" )
March 4: 0.7"
Total: 8.2"
( 0.56" of NWS gauge catch )
High Knob Massif
Looking NE Into Cap Clouds
Familiar Grey Overcast Engulfs Meadow
Snowfall totals of 10" to 15" were common above 3200 feet in the massif, with general 6" to 10"+ depths reported early on March 3 ( deepest in the woods on slopes with northern exposures ).
The greatest rime deposition was also
6" to 10"+ at highest elevations.
Amid A Steady Wind
Beauty of RIME & SNOW
Rime looked like cotton candy in places.
High Knob Massif
Late Afternoon of March 3, 2013
Amid A RIME Forest - A Different Perspective
E. Lucy Braun
Ecological Monographs Volume 12 No. 4
"The climate of the area together with the innumerable temperature and moisture variables-the microclimates-
is a climate largely affected by the mountains...the mixed mesophytic forest with its several association-segregates
is the response to these conditions."
March 3, 2013
Elevation 3300 feet
Head of Burns Creek of Guest River
Big Snowflakes Falling In High Chaparral
The Cumberland Mountains are a mosaic of microclimates, with the sprawling High Knob Massif being particularly diverse in climatic gradients that often are a product of wind trajectories, slope, and exposure.
While there is plenty of snow in Darlene's photo, one ingredient is missing. RIME. The prevailing WSW-NW air flow trajectories during this prolonged event downsloped off the main crest zone of the massif just enough to keep rime nearby but not at this 3300 foot elevation ( rime formed lower than this where air had no sinking motion ).
Merely one of so many microclimatological
settings across the massif.
Climate Statistics
For February 2013
February 16, 2013
Trailhead to High Knob Lake & Chief Benges
February 2013 - Rime & Snow On High Knob
( Lower Elevations of Russell Fork Basin )
Clintwood 1 W - Elevation 1560 feet
Average Daily MAX: 45.4 degrees
Average Daily MIN: 22.1 degrees
MEAN: 33.8 degrees
Highest Temperature: 60 degrees
Lowest Temperature: 10 degrees
Total Precipitation: 2.08"
Total Snowfall: 9.8"
( Northern Base of High Knob Massif )
City of Norton - Elevation 2141 feet
Average Daily MAX: 41.9 degrees
Average Daily MIN: 19.9 degrees
MEAN: 30.9 degrees
Highest Temperature: 57 degrees
Lowest Temperature: 6 degrees
Total Precipitation: 3.07"
Total Snowfall: 13.5"
( Along the Tennessee Valley Divide )
Nora 4 SSE - Elevation 2650 feet
Average Daily MAX: 40.6 degrees
Average Daily MIN: 22.8 degrees
MEAN: 31.7 degrees
Highest Temperature: 55 degrees
Lowest Temperature: 4 degrees
Total Precipitation: 2.01"
Total Snowfall: 12.7"
In the High Knob Massif, above 2700 feet, temps during February averaged in the 30s by day and 10s to around 20 degrees at night.
It was an interesting month in that precipitation was much below average but snowfall was near to above average. With the bulk of precip falling in frozen forms, and strong winds, rain gauges had significant undercatches above 3000 feet.
While February precipitation was below average, it was not
as much below average as suggested by rain gauge totals.
February 28, 2013
Russell Fork Basin of The Ohio River
Looking To Hazel Mountain of TN Valley Divide
Signs of Spring - First Budding Maples Of Year
The first maples of this year were budding by the end of February, especially amid some lower and middle elevation locations below 3000 feet, to signal another season ahead!
Meteorological Winter
Climate Statistics
( December 2012 - February 2013 )
December 22, 2012
Jefferson National Forest
Recreation & Special Biological Area
High Knob Lake Basin of High Knob Massif
March 10 marked day number 82 ( 11.7 weeks ) with 1"
or more of snow depth in High Knob Lake Basin for
the 2012-13 winter season.
( Lower Elevations of Russell Fork Basin )
Clintwood 1 W - Elevation 1560 feet
Average Daily MAX: 46.3 degrees
Average Daily MIN: 25.2 degrees
Winter MEAN: 35.8 degrees
Total Precipitation: 12.79"
Dec-Feb Snowfall: 20.4"
( 34.2" Snow for 2012-13 )
( Northern Base of High Knob Massif )
City of Norton - Elevation 2141 feet
Average Daily MAX: 43.3 degrees
Average Daily MIN: 23.8 degrees
Winter MEAN: 33.6 degrees
Total Precipitation: 18.70"
Dec-Feb Snowfall: 32.5"
( 54.2" Snow for 2012-13 )
( Along the Tennessee Valley Divide )
Nora 4 SSE - Elevation 2650 feet
Average Daily MAX: 42.4 degrees
Average Daily MIN: 27.5 degrees
Winter MEAN: 34.9 degrees
Total Precipitation: 13.83"
Dec-Feb Snowfall: 28.3"
( 50.1" Snow for 2012-13 )
Winter temperatures were well above average, especially during December, with again no severe cold waves ( -20 F below or colder ) to continue a pattern observed since the mid-late 1990s.
Meteorological Winter was seasonally wet across the High Knob Massif with 18.00" to 22.00"+ of total precipitation during the December-February period which characterizes this season.
December 29, 2012
High Knob Massif Crest Zone
Rime & Drifting of Snow In Late December
Superintendent Gary Hampton & staff, of the Big Stone Gap Water Plant, measured 21.11" of precipitation at Big Cherry Dam despite missing moisture in their 4" diameter NWS rain gauge with 4 to 5 feet of total snowfall during this period.
( South Fork of Powell River Basin )
Big Cherry Dam of High Knob Massif
Monthly Precipitation Totals
Observer: Gary Hampton & Staff
Elevation 3120 feet
December 2012: 7.00"
January 2013: 11.24"
February 2013: 2.87"
Average Per Month: 7.04" ( M )
3-Month Total: 21.11" ( M )
The most significant rain gauge moisture losses occurred amid the wintry December 21-30 period, the Fast & Furious Snow Dump of January 17, and the month of February which was dominated by frozen precipitation types above 3000 feet.
( Basins of Little Stony Creek & Burns Creek )
Robinson Knob of High Knob Massif
Monthly Precipitation Totals
Observer: Otis & Nancy Ward
Elevation 3240 feet
December 2012: 6.79"
January 2013: 10.02"
February 2013: 3.48"
Average Per Month: 6.76" ( M )
3-Month Total: 20.29" ( M )*
*Missing moisture in deeper falls of snow ( otherwise, rain gauge was read 13 times during February, for example, verses 4 times at Big Cherry Dam to account for part of the difference ).
Mild Winter Start - Big Moisture Differences
Majesty Of Winter In The High Knob Massif
The Fast & Furious Storm of January 2013
Cold & Snowy Opening To February 2013
Winter Majesty of Mid-February Cold Blast
SW Upslope Flow Snow of February 2013
February 2013
High Knob Massif Crest Zone
Rime On Windward Side of Branches
There was much more to this winter season,
of course, namely one Superstorm named Sandy.
Autumn Color 2012 - A Vivid Season & A Superstorm
Historic Winter Storm of October 2012
January 19, 2013
High Knob Massif
Upper Falls of Little Stony Gorge
A couple of high quality High Knob Massif whitewater videos were produced by kayakers during this past year in Guest River Gorge
and Little Stony Gorge.
Select HD & Full Screen for best viewing.
April 2012
Guest River Gorge of High Knob Massif
January 17, 2013
Little Stony Gorge of High Knob Massif
Consistently significant & dependable precipitation is a feature of the orographic forcing season, which includes December-February, every year in the High Knob Massif ( true drought during this portion of the year would be exceptionally rare ).
The orographic forcing season typically runs from November
through April but can include October & May in some years
( e.g., October 2012 and Superstorm Sandy ).
Water Equivalent Precipitation Totals
Big Cherry Dam of High Knob Massif
December-February Periods
2008-09
22.08"
2009-10
22.00"
2010-11
16.39"
2011-12
17.23"
2012-13
21.11"
5-Season MEAN: 19.76" ( M )
Mean Per Month: 6.59" ( M )
Every season has missing data due predominately to the significant snowfall that is part of the climatic regime of the
High Knob Massif, as well as rain gauge undercatches forced by strong winds ( significant secondary moisture sources of rime deposition on trees and fog drip from trees are not collected by rain gauges ).
January 18, 2013
Along U.S. 23 Near City of Norton
Little Stone Mountain Gap of High Knob Massif
Rod Addington Photography
The Fast & Furious Storm
From Rain To Ice To Deep SNOW
( Updated March 8, 2013 )
Cold & Wintry Start
To Meteorological Spring
March 1, 2013
High Knob Massif Rime Forest
Analogous to February, the month of March
has opened unseasonably cold.
( Lower Elevations of Russell Fork Basin )
Clintwood 1 W - Elevation 1560 feet
Average Daily MAX: 35.4 degrees
Average Daily MIN: 24.1 degrees
March 1-8 MEAN: 29.8 degrees
Total Precipitation: 1.40"
Total Snowfall: 6.8"
( Northern Base of High Knob Massif )
City of Norton - Elevation 2141 feet
Average Daily MAX: 32.4 degrees
Average Daily MIN: 20.0 degrees
March 1-8 MEAN: 26.2 degrees
Total Precipitation: 1.95"
Total Snowfall: 9.7"
( Along the Tennessee Valley Divide )
Nora 4 SSE - Elevation 2650 feet
Average Daily MAX: 30.2 degrees
Average Daily MIN: 19.8 degrees
March 1-8 MEAN: 25.0 degrees
Total Precipitation: 1.26"
Total Snowfall: 8.4"
Conditions have been colder with increasing elevation, beneath cold air aloft, such that mid-upper 20s by day and mid-upper 10s at night generated 20 to 25 degree mean temperatures in upper elevations of the High Knob Massif during these first 8 days of March 2013 ( colder wind chills ).
More than 2.00" of water equivalent precipitation also included 12" to 18" of snowfall above 3000 feet during this first March week.
New Snow Falling
High Knob Massif - March 1, 2013
Prickly Looking Rime On Tree & Branches
Snowfall was much less across lower elevations of the Powell River Basin in western Lee County, as is typical, with only around 2" of accumulation during this first week of March 2013.
March 6, 2013
Silver Leaf of Powell River Basin
Northern Cardinal ( Cardinalis cardinalis )
+-+Harold+L.+Jerrell+PNG.png)
When low clouds finally lifted on March 8 yet another prolonged period of riming had again coated up the High Knob high country, with a
windshield shot from U.S. 23 in the Norton-Wise area by Roddy being excellent to illustrate
a few distant features.
March 8, 2013
View from Norton-Wise Area
Eastern End of Duplex-Imbricate System
Looking To Small Part of Massif from U.S. 23
Much of the main crest zone of the massif is out of view to the right of this photograph and actually can not even be seen from U.S. 23 ( only the edges and front slopes are visible ).
The High Chaparral, Robinson Knob, Moore Knob, Flat Gap & Flatwoods communities are all located to the left ( eastward ) of the above view upon the sloping, single tectonic ramp section of the massif.
Whitewater Rolls & Structural Geology of High Knob Massif
The topographically higher section of the massif, the eastern end in view above, is geologically part of a duplex-imbricate system with multiple tectonic ramps and thrusts.
The main crest zone of the massif with its higher topographic relief is supported by this duplex-imbricate system and contains 21 peaks above 3500 feet, 15 peaks above 3600 feet,
along its 16 air mile extent.
Afternoon of March 8, 2013
Beaverdam Gap In Center of View
Grindstone Ridge Dome of High Knob Massif
Looking Up At The Majesty Of A Rime Forest
Roddy captured a more classic view of rime capping the High Knob Massif once sunshine returned into afternoon hours of March 8, with rime levels along top of the great calcareous cliffs ringing the massif for mile after mile.
March 8, 2013
High Knob Massif
Flag Rock of Pickem Mountain
In Black & White As Viewed from City of Norton
The MELT beginneth for now!
Superstorm of March 1993
20th Anniversary of A Monster
March 14, 1993
Buried In Clintwood - Wake of Superstorm '93
Photograph by Wayne Browning - © All Rights Reserved.
This week marks the 20th Anniversary of a MONSTER winter storm that became known
as the Superstorm of March 1993.
March 13, 1993
NASA IR Image At 1800 UTC of Superstorm '93
This massive blizzard isolated the mountains with 75% of all secondary roads in Wise & Dickenson counties still being blocked, and impassable to traffic, 3 days after the event started.
850 MB Chart At 1200 UTC - March 13, 1993
Graphic Modified from Plymouth State University
The storm episode encompassed an approximate 48-hour period from 1200 hours March 12 to 1200 hours March 14.
The storm reached a crescendo during the afternoon of March 13 with snowfall rates of several inches per hour.
Snowstreaks developed in strong cyclonic circulation behind the storm and resulted in areas of enhanced snowfall during the evening of March 13.
Deadly wind chill factors, driven by frequent 50+ mph gusts, accompanied massive drifting of relatively low density snow ( for March ) to isolate mountain communities and make travel impossible.
What made this storm historic is that it BOMBED over the deep South, with a 972 MB ( 28.71" ) surface low over southeastern Georgia by 7:00 AM on March 13 as sub-tropical and polar jet streaks phased to generate tremendous orographic forcing and upper air dynamics ( their coupling = Amazing! ).
The result was no less than awesome.
High Chaparral of High Knob Massif: 46"
Measured by Joe & Darlene Fields
Main Crest Zone of High Knob Massif: 58"
Measured by VDOT & EMS Officials
Joe & Darlene Fields measured 24" of new snow in 9.5 hours during this event, from 7:45 AM to 5:15 PM on March 13.
A general 4-5 Feet of snow depth above 3200 feet in the High Knob Massif, with drifts of 15-25 FEET that were well documented during a dramatic rescue event by EMS & VDOT personnel.
[ The rescue was successful thanks to the effort of Wise & Scott counties working together with their emergency services, VDOT,
and local residents during terrible, life threatening conditions ].
My friend Steve Blankenbecler verified the depth of this snow as his crew struggled to get into the Eagle Knob Communications Complex to restore services to the area.
This was the deepest single storm snow depth
ever documented in the Old Dominion of Virginia; although, it is considered "unofficial" since there are no official weather stations on High Knob ( * ).
Drifting of snow was a major part of this massive storm.
March 14, 1993
Snow drifts of 5 to 10 feet were common across Wise & Dickenson counties, with a 5 foot drift on Alt. 58 between Norton & Coeburn and a 8 foot drift on U.S. 23 near Pound Gap. A snow drift up to 15 feet was reported on Long Ridge of Sandy Ridge. Snow drifts of 15+ feet were reported in
the High Knob Massif.
March 15, 1993
Bigger drifts were encountered as VDOT continued to work, with drifts of 15-20 feet reported along portions of Caney Ridge, Brushy Ridge, and the High Knob Massif. A large 15-20 foot drift was
also reported near Lonesome Pine Airport in Wise.
[ As previously noted, drifts of 15-25 feet were reported by VDOT personnel involved in the rescue of those stranded amid the
High Knob Massif Crest Zone ].
March 1993 Superstorm
ReAnalysis Charts
Click consecutively on images for motion
March 11, 1993 at 7:00 AM
March 11, 1993 at 7:00 PM
Snowfall Totals
For March 1993 Superstorm
Mount LeConte, Tn.: 60.0"
This was truly..."One for the Books."
*The greatest snow depths reported during the storm event at their given elevations within the eastern United States.
**The March 1942 Blizzard and the Great Thanksgiving Storm of November 1950 are the only two known storms in recent time that could have challenged the March 1993 Superstorm for total snow depth in the High Knob Massif and its extended landform.
The April 1987 storm coming up about a foot short.
Note: There have been many periods with total snow depth approaching the above, but due to seasonal build-up of a high country snowpack
and not due to a single storm event.
Special Flowers
An Annual Sign of Spring
March 10, 2013
Long Ridge of Sandy Ridge
Daffodils ( Narcissus pseudonarcissus )
Photograph by Wayne Riner - © All Rights Reserved.
Wayne Riner Photograph Thoughts...
A Persistence of Daffodils:
Superstorm of March 1993
20th Anniversary of A Monster
March 14, 1993
Buried In Clintwood - Wake of Superstorm '93
This week marks the 20th Anniversary of a MONSTER winter storm that became known
as the Superstorm of March 1993.
March 13, 1993
NASA IR Image At 1800 UTC of Superstorm '93
This massive blizzard isolated the mountains with 75% of all secondary roads in Wise & Dickenson counties still being blocked, and impassable to traffic, 3 days after the event started.
850 MB Chart At 1200 UTC - March 13, 1993
The storm episode encompassed an approximate 48-hour period from 1200 hours March 12 to 1200 hours March 14.
The storm reached a crescendo during the afternoon of March 13 with snowfall rates of several inches per hour.
Snowstreaks developed in strong cyclonic circulation behind the storm and resulted in areas of enhanced snowfall during the evening of March 13.
Deadly wind chill factors, driven by frequent 50+ mph gusts, accompanied massive drifting of relatively low density snow ( for March ) to isolate mountain communities and make travel impossible.
What made this storm historic is that it BOMBED over the deep South, with a 972 MB ( 28.71" ) surface low over southeastern Georgia by 7:00 AM on March 13 as sub-tropical and polar jet streaks phased to generate tremendous orographic forcing and upper air dynamics ( their coupling = Amazing! ).
The result was no less than awesome.
High Chaparral of High Knob Massif: 46"
Measured by Joe & Darlene Fields
Main Crest Zone of High Knob Massif: 58"
Measured by VDOT & EMS Officials
Joe & Darlene Fields measured 24" of new snow in 9.5 hours during this event, from 7:45 AM to 5:15 PM on March 13.
A general 4-5 Feet of snow depth above 3200 feet in the High Knob Massif, with drifts of 15-25 FEET that were well documented during a dramatic rescue event by EMS & VDOT personnel.
VDOT had to get into the main crest zone of the High Knob Massif to rescue individuals stranded in several trucks that had become stuck as the blizzard intensified. They had no choice but to attempt the rescue while conditions were still severe, as waiting
for the storm to subside or for a possible helicopter extraction might be too late. Those stranded had only the heat of their trucks to keep them alive, and could
die of hypothermia upon running
out of gas.
for the storm to subside or for a possible helicopter extraction might be too late. Those stranded had only the heat of their trucks to keep them alive, and could
die of hypothermia upon running
out of gas.
Typical VDOT plows were useless against the massive snow, with drifts as high as 15 to 25 feet ( personal communication with VDOT workers )!
An initial attempt to penetrate the crest zone of the high country failed from the northern side of the massif.
D-9 dozers and logging skidders were subsequently contracted to try and reach the stranded individuals from the southern slopes of the massif ( Scott County side ).
D-9 dozers and logging skidders were subsequently contracted to try and reach the stranded individuals from the southern slopes of the massif ( Scott County side ).
The rescue drama played out in news sources as far away as
New York City, where Ronald Smothers wrote about it in the
New York Times:
New York City, where Ronald Smothers wrote about it in the
New York Times:
"Rescuers in southwestern Virginia worked their way 11 miles up the High Knob peak near Norton to rescue 15 people who had gone driving on the peak and then been stranded
by the storm for 28 hours."
by the storm for 28 hours."
The High Knob rescue was one of several dramas playing out across the eastern United States in the wake of this mega-blizzard, and it fortunately had a happy ending!
[ The rescue was successful thanks to the effort of Wise & Scott counties working together with their emergency services, VDOT,
and local residents during terrible, life threatening conditions ].
My friend Steve Blankenbecler verified the depth of this snow as his crew struggled to get into the Eagle Knob Communications Complex to restore services to the area.
This was the deepest single storm snow depth
ever documented in the Old Dominion of Virginia; although, it is considered "unofficial" since there are no official weather stations on High Knob ( * ).
Drifting of snow was a major part of this massive storm.
March 14, 1993
Snow drifts of 5 to 10 feet were common across Wise & Dickenson counties, with a 5 foot drift on Alt. 58 between Norton & Coeburn and a 8 foot drift on U.S. 23 near Pound Gap. A snow drift up to 15 feet was reported on Long Ridge of Sandy Ridge. Snow drifts of 15+ feet were reported in
the High Knob Massif.
March 15, 1993
Bigger drifts were encountered as VDOT continued to work, with drifts of 15-20 feet reported along portions of Caney Ridge, Brushy Ridge, and the High Knob Massif. A large 15-20 foot drift was
also reported near Lonesome Pine Airport in Wise.
[ As previously noted, drifts of 15-25 feet were reported by VDOT personnel involved in the rescue of those stranded amid the
High Knob Massif Crest Zone ].
March 1993 Superstorm
ReAnalysis Charts
Click consecutively on images for motion
March 11, 1993 at 7:00 AM
March 11, 1993 at 7:00 PM
March 12, 1993 at 7:00 AM
March 12, 1993 at 7:00 PM
March 13, 1993 at 7:00 AM
March 13, 1993 at 7:00 PM
March 14, 1993 at 7:00 AM
March 14, 1993 at 7:00 PM
Snowfall Totals
For March 1993 Superstorm
Richmond WSO Airport: 3.5"
Gathright Dam: 9.0"
Gathright Dam: 9.0"
Covington: 10.5"
Glasgow 1 SE: 12.9"
Washington, D.C., Dulles Airport: 14.1"
Kingsport, Tn.: 14.2"
Tri-City, Tn.: WSO 14.2"
Saltville 1 N: 14.3"
Big Stone Gap: 16.0"
Roanoke Airport: 16.0"
Big Meadows: 17.0"
Shenandoah National Park
Big Meadows: 17.0"
Shenandoah National Park
Grundy: 17.3"
Blacksburg 3 SE: 18.0"
Lafayette 1 NE: 18.0"
Richlands: 18.0"
Wytheville 1 S: 18.0"
Pulaski: 18.2"
Lebanon: 18.5"
Earle Hurst: 19.0"
Staffordsville 3 ENE: 19.2"
Copper Hill 1 NNE: 19.5"
Luray 5 E: 20.0"
Woodstock 2 NE: 20.0"
Luray 5 E: 20.0"
Woodstock 2 NE: 20.0"
North Fork of Pound Dam: 23.0"
Burkes Garden: 25.5"
Wise 1 SE: 28.9"
Bland: 29.5"
Beckley, Wv.: 30.0"
Breaks Interstate Park: 32.0"
Clintwood 1 W: 34.5"
Snowshoe Mountain, Wv.: 44.0"
*High Chaparral of High Knob Massif: 46.0"
Mount Mitchell, Nc.: 50.0"
*High Knob Massif Crest Zone: 58.0"
Mount LeConte, Tn.: 60.0"
This was truly..."One for the Books."
*The greatest snow depths reported during the storm event at their given elevations within the eastern United States.
**The March 1942 Blizzard and the Great Thanksgiving Storm of November 1950 are the only two known storms in recent time that could have challenged the March 1993 Superstorm for total snow depth in the High Knob Massif and its extended landform.
The April 1987 storm coming up about a foot short.
Note: There have been many periods with total snow depth approaching the above, but due to seasonal build-up of a high country snowpack
and not due to a single storm event.
Special Flowers
An Annual Sign of Spring
March 10, 2013
Long Ridge of Sandy Ridge
Daffodils ( Narcissus pseudonarcissus )
Wayne Riner Photograph Thoughts...
A Persistence of Daffodils:
"On a bank facing the warm sun a group of daffodils start to bloom and welcome warmer weather. The most important part is that the flowers are on the home place of my great grandfather. I like to think my grandmother
played among the flowers as a young girl."
played among the flowers as a young girl."
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