D.C.’s Epic February Snow Storms

 

Winter weather enthusiasts had a lot to cheer for in January which turned out to be D.C.’s snowiest month in six years.  However, February has been significantly warmer than average so far and that’s prevented this month from seeing above average snowfall.  Some Washingtonians may know February is the snowiest month of the year on average with six of D.C.’s 10 largest winter storms.  “Snowmageddon” was the most recent in 2010.  Here are some of the others. 

2003:  This President’s Day Storm was the signature winter storm of the 2002-2003 winter season.  With 16.4” of snow officially at Reagan National Airport (DCA) from February 16 – 18, this storm remains tied for D.C.’s eighth largest on record.  Snow totals of greater than 30” were common west and north of downtown, including 26.8” at BWI Airport (second largest) and 21.7” at Dulles Airport (fifth largest).  With 40.4” of snow at National, this winter finished tied with 1957-1958 as D.C.’s seventh snowiest on record.

1983:  A total of 16.6” accumulated at National Airport during a storm from February 10 – 11.  It remains D.C.’s seventh largest snowstorm.  By coincidence, both Dulles and BWI Airports saw 22.8” of snow during this storm and it ranks in the Top 10 at both locations.  The 1982-1983 winter season was an El Nino winter illustrated how many of D.C.’s largest winter storms occur during El Nino winters.  Other Top 10 D.C. snowfalls occurred during El Nino winters in 2002-2003, 2009-2010, and 2015-2016.

1979:  A total of 30.6” of snow fell at National Airport, with the majority during an epic February 18 – 19 winter storm.  Its 18.7” of snow paralyzed D.C. and remains D.C.’s third largest snowstorm.  This storm is also significant because it ranks as the largest snowfall at National Airport since it opened in 1941.  The two largest snowstorms in D.C. history occurred in January 1922 and February 1899, respectively, before National Airport opened.  It was also a Top 10 snowfall at Dulles and BWI Airports.  February 1979 is one of only four months that D.C. has gotten at least 30.0” of snow.

February 1899: 35.2”
January 1922: 31.5”
February 1979: 30.6”
February 2010: 32.1”

1899:  This remains the snowiest February on record in Washington, D.C., with a monthly total of 35.2”.  That can be attributed largely to DC’s second largest snowstorm ever (20.0”) that occurred from February 12 - 14.