If this week’s winter weather feels particularly frustrating, you’re not imagining it—but you’re also not alone. Virginia has a long history of winter storms that have tested patience, infrastructure, and resilience.
Today, Virginia Living Magazine published a wonderful look back at some of the most significant winter weather events in Virginia history. A few highlights include:
• 1772 – Washington-Jefferson Snowstorm: described as the most severe winter in memory
• 1899 – The Great Arctic Outbreak: record-breaking cold and snowfall
• 1979 – Presidents’ Day Storm: so severe that farmers used tractors to free stranded motorists
• 1996 – Blizzard of ’96: two feet of snow blanketed Charlottesville
• 2010 – Snowmageddon: back-to-back blizzards across the state
• 2016 – Snowzilla: more than three feet of snow in parts of Virginia
While modern storms come with their own challenges—delayed travel, unplowed streets, power outages—what remains consistent is the way communities pull together.
When “Essential” Still Means Risky
For essential workers, winter weather carries an extra layer of stress. When roads are unsafe, visibility is poor, and travel is discouraged for most people, many essential employees are still expected to report to work—often at all costs.
Healthcare workers, first responders, utility crews, and others face difficult choices during storms like these: navigating hazardous roads, securing last-minute lodging near work (at their expense), arranging emergency childcare or pet care, and absorbing unexpected expenses—all while knowing that failure to report can sometimes result in disciplinary action, regardless of conditions.
A Quiet Kind of Resilience
It’s a reality that doesn’t always make the headlines. Essential workers show up during snowstorms, ice events, and power outages—not because it’s easy or convenient, but because others depend on them. Winter weather reveals a quiet kind of resilience: people doing their jobs while managing stress, uncertainty, and personal sacrifice behind the scenes.
If you’re home waiting for roads to improve, it’s also a perfect time to support what makes Virginia special. Best of Virginia voting is open now, and it’s a simple way to recognize local businesses, services, and organizations that continue to show up—no matter the weather.
Here’s hoping for warmer days, clearer roads, and a little extra grace for everyone navigating winter in Virginia.
therealtorrn 