DC’s Largest January Snowfalls

DC's record January 2016's winter storm

Although January has gotten off to a milder than average start for a second consecutive year, the DC Metro Area will get its first taste of winter today.  The Nation’s Capital has had some of its largest winter storms in January.

2016: The 2015-2016 winter also got off to a mild start with DC’s warmest December on record and no measurable snowfall until mid-January.  That was the prelude to DC’s fourth largest winter storm on record.  A total of 17.8” of snow occurred downtown on January 22-23, with totals of 2’ to 3’ common in the suburbs north and west of town.  This storm finish tied with February 2010’s “Snowmageddon.” 

It’s worth pointing out that if you were to subtract the 17.8” of snow that occurred in this storm, DC saw a combined total of only 4.4” of snow the rest of the winter.  That’s less than one-third of DC’s annual snowfall average of 15.4”.  That helps illustrate how it only takes one major winter storm to provide DC Area residents with the entire annual average amount of snow.

1996:  DC’s most significant snow event since the February 1983 blizzard occurred from January 6 – 8.  That’s when 17.3” of snow fell at National Airport with totals of 20”-30” common in DC’s western and northern suburbs.  Many DC Area schools were closed for a week or more.  By mid-January temperatures warmed quickly and combined with rainfall, producing rapid snowmelt and significant flooding.  The rapid warm up in temperatures led to ice jams along many DC’s Area waterways, most notably the Potomac River.  Consequently, there wasn’t anyplace for the runoff to drain quickly or efficiently.  

By the time spring arrived, Washingtonians had endured the third snowiest winter on record.  Although the 1995-1996 winter season ranked as DC’s second snowiest on record at the time with 46”, it fell to third place following DC’s record 2009-2010 winter (56.1”).  DC’s second snowiest season remains 1898-1899 with 54.4”.

1922:  DC’s largest snow event on record remains the “Knickbocker Storm” of 1922.  A record 28” of snow was measured during a three-day span from January 27-29.  The snow was so heavy that the weight of the snow on the roof of the Knickerbocker Theatre in downtown DC caused it to collapse.  Tragically, the roof collapsed during a live show and claimed dozens of lives.  This winter storm remains one of only two storms the Nation’s Capital experienced at least 20” of snow, along with February 11 – 14, 1899 (20.5”).  

There have been several other significant January snow events: the three-day total of 10.3” on January 12 – 14, 2019; 13.8” on January 29-30, 1966; and 10.8” on January 22, 1987.  Three of DC’s 10 largest snowstorms occurred in January, while six were in February and one in December.