Record December Snowfall gave Washington, D.C. a White Christmas

Snowfall Accumulations December 2009 (Source: NOAA)

Many will remember the major winter storm that began on this date five years ago. Spanning several days, this storm brought the Mid-Atlantic Region (including Washington, D.C., Baltimore, MD, and Philadelphia, PA) its largest December snowfall on record. It was a classic “Nor’Easter” that developed and tracked in the perfect location to bring prodigious snowfall to much of the I-95 corridor.

Meteorologists first identified the developing storm on December 16, 2009, along the U.S. Gulf Coast.  Snow began falling in the Nation’s Capital during the evening of December 18.  However, the bulk of the snow fell on December 19 with a daily record of 15.0” observed at National Airport.  That was not only the largest daily snowfall total for December 19, but the largest snowfall ever observed in the Nation’s Capital during the month of December. 

Total snowfall accumulations from the record December storm ranged from 15” to 25” across the D.C. Metropolitan area.  A storm total of 16.4” occurred at National Airport, making it the 7^th largest snowstorm on record in the Nation’s Capital.  The storm brought 18.0” to Dulles Airport making it their 5^th largest snowstorm on record; and the 18.0” in Baltimore were good enough to place 10^th on their list of largest snowstorms.  Roads were impassable which forced many schools and businesses to close for several days.  This was especially troublesome for business and holiday shoppers alike amid the holiday season. 

Snow lovers rejoiced, though, as enough snow fell the week before Christmas to ensure that some would remain on the ground for the holiday.  Officially, there was 7” of snow on the ground downtown on Christmas 2009.  The largest December snowstorm on record in the Nation’s Capital left an indelible mark on Washingtonians and millions of people across the Eastern United States.