Freezing temperatures combined with high winds produced sub-zero wind chills throughout Southwestern Virginia Monday as winter arrived one day ahead of the official date on the calendar.

Ice formed everywhere, including the mill trace at Mabry Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Thousands found themselves without power, including Floyd County High School where officials cancelled classes and a scheduled girls’ basketball game. Power outages even closed some businesses in Floyd and police chased hundreds of traffic accidents caused by black ice on area roadways.

Frozen pipes, busted radiators and other cold-related problems plagued the area.

Area residents get some much-needed relief today as temperatures are expected to climb above freezing but the forecasters who live and die by Doppler Radar say rain is on the way and the frigic weather will return just in time for Christmas.

Welcome to winter, Blue Ridge Mountain style.