DC's Warm and Wet February

Not only was February 2017 DC’s warmest on record, it was also the sixth driest with only 0.68” of rain.  That’s roughly 25% of DC’s February average of 2.62”.  Similar to last year, this month will finish among the Top 5 warmest February’s.  However, unlike last year, February 2018 will rank among DC’s wettest.  That’s excellent news for DC area residents who have been experiencing very dry conditions over the prior several months.

Through February 25, Washington, D.C.’s average monthly temperature at National Airport is 44.8°.  Since February 10, all but three days have been warmer than average in the Nation’s Capital.  That includes seven days with temperatures of at least 65°, including the first 80° February temperature in the Nation’s Capital since 1948.

The Nation’s Capital had a rainfall deficit of more than 17” from August 2015 through January 2018.  During that time, DC had below average monthly precipitation in 24 out of 30 months.  In particular, from September 1, 2017 through January 31, 2018 when DC’s rainfall deficit was more than nine inches.  Consequently, much of the DC-Baltimore corridor was experiencing moderate to severe drought conditions earlier this month.

Fortunately, February 2018 has been exceptionally wet with measurable rainfall on 15 of the first 25 days of the month.  With 4.79” of rain as of February 25, this has already been DC’s wettest February since 2003.  As wet as this February has been, only 0.2” of snow occurred and that’s because it has been such a warm month in the Nation’s Capital.

This month’s wet spell has led to improvement in the drought conditions across the Mid-Atlantic Region.  Since the drought conditions occurred outside the growing season, they didn’t have the same impact that they could have.  Given the shift between the very dry month of February last year and the rainy February 2018 in the Nation’s Capital, it’s worth pointing out that DC’s hasn’t had consecutive wetter than average February’s since 1981-1986, according to NOAA.  Also, Washingtonians are experiencing their third consecutive warmer than average February for the first time since 1997-2002.

Top Ten Warmest February’s in Washington, D.C.  (Source: NOAA)

1.  47.7° (2017)

2.  46.9° (1976)

3.  45.2° (1990)

4.  44.7° (1997)

5.  44.4° (2012)

6.  43.8° (1984, 1949)

8.  43.7° (1981)
9.  43.5° (1954)

10.  43.4° (1998, 1890)

D.C.’s Top Ten Wettest February’s (Source: NOAA)

1.  6.98” (2003)
2.  6.84” (1884)
3.  6.47” (1897)

4.  6.17” (1899)
5.  5.71” (1961, 1939)
7.  5.62” (1979)
8.  5.44” (1971)
9.  5.32” (1903)
10.  5.31” (1896)

11.  5.27” (1972)
12.  5.26” (1900)
13.  5.23” (1996)
14.  5.09” (1882)
15.  5.08” (1883)
16.  4.72” (1902)