An Epic Snowstorm in the Nation’s Capital

 

Twelve years have passed since the epic two-day winter storm dubbed “Snowmageddon” in the Nation’s Capital.  Widespread 20”-30” snowfall totals were recorded in the D.C. Metro Area during the February 5 – 6, 2010 storm.  It was D.C.’s fourth largest snowstorm with 17.8” at Reagan National Airport (later tied by the “Blizzard of 2016”).  However, it remains the largest snow event on record at Dulles Airport with 32.4”.

Making the cleanup from “Snowmageddon” even more difficult is that another major winter storm occurred days later.  There were double-digit snowfall totals during a February 9 – 10 storm.  The 10.8” of snow at National Airport during this storm gave Washingtonians one of D.C.’s snowiest months on record with 32.1”.

February 2010 ranks as one of only four months that D.C. had at least 30” of snow and was the first since February 1979 (30.6”).  D.C.’s second storm that occurred less than a week after “Snowmageddon” also made the 2009-2010 winter its snowiest on record (56.1”). That surpassed the previous record-holder, the 1898-1899 winter season, which had 54.4”.

For some historical perspective, the 2009-2010 winter season remains the only winter to feature two of D.C.’s Top 10 snowfalls.  The December 2009 winter storm not only was D.C.’s largest December snow event, but remains D.C.’s only Top 10 snow event to occur in December (16.4”).

“Snowmageddon” Snowfall totals:

DCA: 17.8”
IAD: 32.4”
BWI: 25.0”

Daily snowfall records occurred at D.C.’s three area airports.

February 5

National (DCA): 8.7”
Dulles (IAD): 14.9”
BWI: 9.0”

February 6

DCA: 9.1”
IAD: 17.5”
BWI: 16.0”