Breaking Down Snowfall in the Nation's Capital

Although the 2019-2020 winter has had a surprising lack of snowfall in the Nation's Capital, that doesn't offset the many memorable snowfalls that have occurred since weather records officially began in the late 1800s.  As this winter stands, it's well positioned to finish as DC's third least snowy winter on record with only 0.6" since December 1.  February 2020 should also finish as only the third since 2000 with no measurable snowfall.

The Nation's Capital averages 15.4" of snow annually so finishing with less than an inch of snow illustrate how unusual this winter has been.  Weather records in the Nation's Capital are kept at National Airport.  That didn't open, however, until 1941 so the first winter season at National didn't occur until 1941-1942.  Prior to that, DC's weather measurements were made downtown.  There are snowfall records in the Nation's Capital for 53 years from 1888 - 1941 before National Airport opened.

It’s worth pointing out that five of DC’s snowiest winters occurred prior to National Airport opening.  That means five have occurred since 1941 including DC’s snowiest winter on record in 2009-2010.  All 10 of DC’s snowiest winters were colder than average based on seasonal averages looking at December, January and February.  Those three months are considered “meteorological” winter. 

While it stands to reason that having a record or near record amount of snow would require a cold winter, several of DC’s 10 largest snowstorms have occurred in warmer than average winters.  Most recently was the major January 2016 winter storm in the Nation’s Capital.  This record storm produced 17.8” of snow at National Airport that tied it for DC’s fourth largest snowstorm.  Although January 2016 was a colder than average month in DC, the rest of the 2015-2016 winter was warmer than average and that produced a warmer than average season overall. 

The 2019-2020 winter season will finish among DC’s 10 warmest.  Consequently, this winter simply hasn’t had enough cold air to coincide with any of the storms that have impacted the Mid-Atlantic Region.  Not only will this winter season finish among DC’s warmest winters, but will also finish among DC’s least snowy winters barring an unusually snowy March. 

DC’s Snowiest Winters (Source: NOAA)

1.  56.1” (2009-2010)
2.  54.4” (1898-1899)
3.  46.0” (1995-1996)
4.  42.5” (1921-1922)
5.  41.7” (1891-1892)

6.  41.0” (1904-1905)
7.  40.4” (2002-2003, 1957-1958)
9.  40.3” (1960-1961)
10.  39.8” (1910-1911)