Rolling out of bed Saturday morning, students awoke to find their windowsills covered in a soft, white layer of steadily falling snow.
Accumulation in the Charlottesville area reached approximately four inches by mid-afternoon at which point the snow tapered off and freezing rain began. The fallen snow turned to slush on roads and walkways by nightfall and iced over in some areas because of the dropping temperature and freezing rain.
While the snowfall caused 20 fender benders in the Charlottesville area according to police, many students enjoyed the opportunity to get out and play in the snow. "This is only the third time in my life that I have ever seen snow," first-year College student Jessica Nute said. "We had a huge snowball fight on Gilder Green. At one point there were about 40 people involved. We also went sledding down the big hill next to the parking garage. We used bags from the bookstore as sleds."
Roland Osborne, a first-year Engineering student, had different plans for the snowy day. "When I awoke and saw the new snow, I was overjoyed. I took a walk down the Lawn and saw people building snowmen, igloos and other intricate figures; so some friends and I decided we would build something incredible out of snow. We constructed a huge 12-foot monolith on Monroe Hill. We ended up having to use a ladder," Osborne said.
Some students preferred taking walks or simply staying inside where it was warm. "I mostly hung out with friends, watched some college basketball and tried to get some work done." said Nick Jabbour, a fourth-year College student.
"We enjoyed seeing all of the snowmen all over Grounds, but when it started raining we went inside and watched movies." said first-year College student Abby Pulsipher.
Other students who were happy to see the new snow were those enrolled in either skiing or snowboarding classes for this semester.
"It was really nice to wake up to the new snow. I was especially happy to see the snow because I am taking snowboarding on Mondays this semester," said first-year College student Liz Jennings. Wintergreen Resort, where the skiing and snowboarding classes are held, reports that this storm dumped seven inches of new snow on the mountain and that it currently has 19 trails open.
Some were concerned that the snow might put a damper on this year's rush activities, but, according to Inter-Sorority Council officials, everything went as planned.
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