DC's unusual February warmth

 

A fine February day at Great Falls, Maryland

February 2024 has continued this winter's trend for warmer than average weather in the nation's capital. As the month comes to a close, it is well-positioned to finish among DC's Top 10 warmest on record. There have only been three cooler than average days so far this month.

Today’s high temperature in the nation’s capital reached the 60s for the fifth time this month; almost double the 30-year average of three such days. There haven't been any days with highs in the 70s or 80s this month. That's what makes this month so unique. February 2024 will finish among DC's warmest, not for featuring extreme, record-setting warmth, but rather for above average temperatures with a lack of any sustained cooler than average weather. 

Although there were no record highs this month at National Airport, DC's official weather reporting site, several record highs occurred at Dulles Airport. Record highs of 65° and 69° were observed as Dulles on February 10 and 26, respectively. Meanwhile, record high-low temperatures occurred on consecutive days from February 9 - 11 at Dulles. By comparison, DC’s highest temperature so far this month was 68° on February 26.

A powerful cold front will pass through the DC Metro Area today, ushering in much cooler weather tonight and tomorrow. In fact, Leap Day tomorrow could become only the fourth cooler than average day of the month. Very little cold air has reached the Mid-Atlantic Region this month. That’s largely due to an unfavorable position of the jet stream, which has been the dominant weather story of the 2023-2024 winter season and has made the predominantly warmer than average weather possible.

DC's monthly average temperature, combining daily high and low temperatures, through February 27 is 44.1°. This month is expected to finish among the five warmest February's at Dulles with an average monthly temperature of 42.1°. With only 0.1" of snowfall, this month will become DC's ninth consecutive February with below average snowfall. It will also finish with below average rainfall.

DC’s Warmest February’s (Source: National Weather Service)

1. 47.7° (2017)
2. 46.9° (1976)
3. 46.7° (2023)
4. 45.3° (2018)
5. 45.2° (1990)
6. 44.7° (1997)
7. 44.4° (2012)
8. 43.8° (2020, 1984, 1949)

 

Warmest February’s at Dulles Airport (Source: National Weather Service)

1. 44.8° (2017)
2. 44.6° (2023)
3. 42.4° (2018)
4. 42.2° (1990)
5. 41.4° (2020)