What To Expect in April

Although uncommon, it’s not unheard of for Washingtonians to see a touch of snow in early April.  Some areas well north and west of the DC Metro Area, such as Frostburg and Cumberland, MD and Keyser, WV had snow accumulations this morning.  April snowfall can only occur under the rarest of circumstances, due to the increasing sun angle and warmer temperatures.  When snow does occur, it doesn’t last long.  The last time there was measurable snowfall in the Nation’s Capital in April was in 2007 (0.4”).  

Average temperatures in DC range from 62°/42° on April 1 to 71°/52° on April 30.  The highest April temperature on record of 95° occurred four times, most recently on April 17, 2002.  Meanwhile, DC’s coldest observed temperature was 15° on April 1, 1923.  There is good reason that DC Area residents aren’t accustomed to below average April temperatures since the last 10 April’s have been warmer than average.  In fact, April 2017 was DC’s warmest on record.  By coincidence, the last cooler than average April in the Nation’s Capital was in 2007.

Washington, D.C. averages 3.06” of rain during the month of April.  While 12 of the last 20 April’s have been wetter than average, the last two have been drier than average.  Residents of the Mid-Atlantic Region can expect to see an uptick in severe weather during the month of April.  For example, the DC Metro Area experienced severe weather outbreaks on April 19, 2013 and April 6, 2017 with 1.37” and 1.57” of rain at National Airport, respectively.  April 2014 also had three days with at least 1” of rainfall in Washington, D.C.  Those three days contributed to a monthly total of 6.47” that made 2014 DC’s wettest April since 1983.  

Another severe weather event during the month of April was Maryland’s strongest observed tornado on April 28, 2002.  Also, on April 6, 2017, two weak (EF-0) and very rare tornadoes touched down within the District of Columbia.  They were the first tornadoes to occur within DC since 1995 and only the ninth and tenth on record.  Fortunately, NOAA expects April to be a cooler than average month in the Mid-Atlantic Region and that tends to reduce – but not eliminate – the potential for thunderstorms and severe weather.  

Two of the first three months of 2018 have been drier than average in the DC Metro Area.  That follows 2016-2017, which were the first consecutive, drier-than-average years in the Nation’s Capital since 2001-2002.  A significant amount of Virginia and central Maryland are experiencing “abnormally” dry conditions according to the most recent Drought Monitor Index.  So, NOAA’s April outlook for increased chances of above average rainfall in the Mid-Atlantic Region would be beneficial.