How Does “Blizzard 2016” Compare?

Totals greater than 20" were widespread  (Cabin John, MD)

Easily the largest winter storm in the Mid-Atlantic since “Snowmageddon” in February 2010, the “Blizzard of 2016” has many similarities – and some key differences.  Both storms tied for the fourth largest snowfall at National Airport where 17.8” was measured.  Both storms also occurred on a Friday and continued into Saturday after being forecast well in advance.  Schools were closed for much of the following week after “Snowmageddon” and most area schools will be closed for much of this week as well.

However, area residents are fortunate that no widespread power outages occurred after the Blizzard of 2016, unlike during “Snowmageddon.”  What made the 2010 storm especially damaging was that it began with a few inches of heavier, wetter snow that compromised tree branches and power lines.  This week’s weather has been ideal for gradual snowmelt with temperatures above freezing and without heavy rain, unlike after the January 1996 storm.

Something the January 1996 blizzard (the sixth largest snowstorm on record with 17.3”) has in common with “Snowmageddon” is that smaller snowstorms came just a few days after both storms.  The additional snow accumulation made the recovery from each storm more complicated.  Now that the “Blizzard of 2016” is in the rear view mirror, it’s interesting to point out that five of the top 10 snowstorms on record in the Nation’s Capital have occurred in just the last 20 years.

While 17.8” of snow was measured during the “Blizzard of 2016” at National Airport, the suburbs received considerably more.  Dulles Airport in Sterling, Virginia had its second largest snowfall on record with 29.3”.  Meanwhile, BWI Airport in Baltimore had its largest observed snowfall ever with 29.2”.  Other areas in the Nation’s Capital saw more snow than at National Airport this past weekend, such as the National Zoo with 22.4” and the White House with 22.0”.  The Blizzard of 2016 also ranks as the fourth largest snowstorm on record in Philadelphia with 22.4” and is the largest snowstorm on record at JFK and LaGuardia Airports (30.5” and 27.9” respectively) in New York City.  Meanwhile, New York City’s Central Park finished with 26.8”, just 0.1” off their all-time snowfall record.

This was only the third of the top 10 snowfalls in the Nation’s Capital to occur in January, along with the 1996 storm and Washington, D.C.’s infamous “Knickerbocker Storm” that brought a record 28.0” in 1922.  Overall, Washington, D.C.’s second largest snowstorm was the February 1899 storm that brought 20.0”.  However, the “Blizzard of 2016” is the second largest snowstorm to occur at National Airport since it opened in 1941.

Many Washingtonians find it amazing that such a significant snowstorm occurred following such a warm November and December in the Mid-Atlantic region.  All it takes is one storm to make the entire winter snowier than average.  According to the National Weather Service, Washington, D.C. has an annual average of only 15.4” of snow.  There is a high degree of uncertainty inherent in forecasting winter weather and that makes the approximately five days of advance notice for the “Blizzard of 2016” remarkable.