By Lynn R. Mitchell
The Blizzard of 2009. Six years ago today was also a Sunday — December 20, 2009 — and the Shenandoah Valley had been dumped on with 2.5 feet of snow. Looking back at the pictures, it was truly a winter wonderland in the week of Christmas. That huge snow was the beginning of a very snowy winter that lasted into March 2010. Here are the photos I posted on that day.
Today we woke to 23 degrees but temps have been warm recently, and are forecast to be in the upper 60s for Christmas. What a difference six years makes….
The picket fence and gate were almost covered with more than 2 feet of snow on December 18-19, 2009.
SWAC Husband cleared 2 feet of snow off the deck Saturday afternoon as the snow continued to fall, adding another 3-4″ which made the snow totals in western Augusta County 28″ with 3- to 4-foot snow drifts.
Knee-deep snow….
SWAC Daughter shoveled a pathway to the driveway.
Dreaming of snowboarding at Massanutten….
As this photo was taken, heavy snow continued to fall.
(Photo by SWAC Daughter)
(Photo by SWAC Daughter)
Snow drifted against fence, almost burying it in the back yard.
From the dining room table … the view was a skier’s delight.
The deck.
The yard is a winter wonderland.
Heavy snow continued to fall as 25-30 mph wind gusts caused 3- to 4-foot snow drifts.
Most churches canceled services on what was the last Sunday before Christmas, and all local schools were already out for the Christmas break. It was the biggest snowfall in over a decade which made for a white Christmas for the Shenandoah Valley, and a blow-out season for local ski resorts. It was a winter to remember….Merry Christmas!
Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell and SWAC Daughter
December 20, 2009
LynnRMitchell.com 
