Snow, accumulating 8 inches in the Shenandoah Valley

By Frank Wilt October 9, 2025 4:00 pm


Source: VDOT snow plows clear snow following an early October snowstorm, October 10, 1979.

HARRISONBURG VA: (Rocktown Now) – On October 10, 1979, the Shenandoah Valley experienced a rare and memorable early-season snowstorm. This event was triggered by a low-pressure system that moved through the northeastern United States, interacting with a cold air mass already settled over the region. As a result, rain quickly transitioned into snow across much of the Mid-Atlantic, including Virginia.

In the Shenandoah Valley, snowfall totals were particularly impressive for so early in the season. Covington, Virginia received around 10 inches of snow, while Dale Enterprise, just west of Harrisonburg, recorded 8 inches. Nearby Staunton saw 7 inches. These amounts are highly unusual for early October, making the storm one of the earliest and most intense autumn snowfalls on record for the area.

The snowstorm was notable not only for its timing but also for its impact, catching many residents off guard and marking a dramatic shift from typical fall weather. It remains a significant event in the region’s weather history.