Taking Stock: February’s Midway Point

The first half of February 2020 has felt more like the second half of March in the Nation's Capital.  Yesterday was DC’s only colder than average day of the first half of February with a high/low of 44°/26°.  That was only slightly colder than average for Valentine’s Day (47°/31°) and certainly not as cold as it could be this time of year.

During five of the last 10 February’s temperatures failed to remain at or below freezing for a 24-hour period.  February 2020 is poised to be another.  That would help explain this winter’s lack of snowfall in the Nation's Capital.  If no more snow were to occur before spring arrives, then DC would finish the 2019-2020 winter with only 0.6" -- well below the seasonal average of 15.4".

Despite the lack of snowfall, it’s been a dreary first half of February.  Washingtonians had measurable rainfall on 10 of the first 13 days of the month.  That’s produced 2.75" of rain, exceeding DC's average of 2.62" for all of February.  The rainfall surplus and snowfall deficit can be directly attributed to the above average temperatures.

DC’s mild weather during the first half of February has merely been a continuation of what residents experienced during much of December and January.  The Nation’s Capital hasn’t had a 5”/+ February snowfall since 2014, so the record February snowstorms of past years are largely fading from memory.  However, there have been some memorable February outbreaks of arctic air in the DC Metro Area in recent years.  The last time was in 2016 when high temperatures remained below freezing on four consecutive days from February 11 – 14.  The coldest day was February 14 with a high/low of 26°/13° in the Nation’s Capital. 

February 2015 was DC’s coldest since 1979.  During the six-day stretch from February 15 – 21, high temperatures remained below freezing on five days.  With 9.8” of snow, February 2015 was also the last time Washingtonians had a snowier than average February.  DC’s only February record low since 1970 occurred on February 20, 2015, when the temperature fell to a frigid 5°.

The Nation’s Capital is on a streak of four consecutive warmer than average February’s.  With average temperatures (combining daily high and low temperatures) being 8.2° above average through February 14, this month is well positioned to be DC’s fifth consecutive warmer than average February.  Although there will be a few cold days before the end of the month, they won’t be enough to offset how warm the first half of February 2020 has been.  This month could finish as only DC’s second February on record without so much a trace of snow.  The last time that happened was in 1977.