DC’s Largest March Snowstorms

March 2015 Snow in the Nation's Capital

Surprisingly, Washingtonians have experienced some of their largest snowfalls in March.  That’s especially true this winter after having one of the warmest and driest winter seasons on record – including the warmest and sixth driest February in the Nation’s Capital.

Despite having a significantly warmer than average first third of March, there has been a major shift in the weather pattern.  The DC Metro Area is in the midst of its longest stretch of colder than average weather since early January.  That can be attributed to a change in the position of the jet stream that’s ushered in several reinforcing shots of Arctic air.  Because it’s mid-March, it’s harder for it snow to accumulate than earlier in the winter due to a higher sun angle and warmer temperatures. 

However, a developing Nor’easter will bring the majority of its precipitation to the DC Metro Area tonight.  Storm track is critically important since a difference in track of just 30 miles farther east or west can impact precipitation type and amount.  Many area residents will recall that March 2014 was the snowiest March in the Nation’s Capital since 1960 with 12.7” at National Airport.  It was also the snowiest March on record at Dulles Airport (19.7”). 

Today is the 24^th anniversary of the historic and deadly “Superstorm of 1993” that brought accumulating snow as far south as Atlanta, GA and Birmingham, AL and as far west as Chattanooga, TN.  That storm was so intense that its air pressure was equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane.  However, the storm track was such that the snow changed to sleet at the height of the storm, which led to only 6.6” of snow in Washington, D.C.

More recently, Washingtonians have had two of their Top Ten March snowfalls.  On March 9, 1999, 8.9” fell, while on March 16-17, 2014, a total of 7.2” accumulated.  It’s ironic that the 2014 St. Patrick’s Day snow bumped the 1993 “Superstorm” from DC’s Top Ten list for March snowstorms. 

 

Despite the few days of colder than average weather Washingtonians are in the midst of, March remains a very changeable weather month.  Such was the case in March 1990.  That year the world-famous cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin reached their earliest peak bloom on record (March 15).  Also, one of the warmest March weeks on record occurred from March 12 – 16, 1990 when there five consecutive days with high temperatures in the 80s.  That was followed by a high/low temperature of only 42/38 degrees on March 20 at National Airport, followed by 1.9” of snow on March 24.  

In a rare occurrence, March 1990 was both snowier than average and more than three degrees warmer than average in the Nation’s Capital.  We’ll have to wait and see how March 2017 finishes up.

Washington, D.C.’s Ten Largest March Snowstorms (Source: NWS)

1.  12.0” – March 27-28, 1891
2.  11.5” – March 28-29, 1942
3.  10.7” – March 7 – 8, 1941
4.  10.0” – March 15 – 16, 1900
5.  9.8” –   March 3 – 4, 1909
6.  8.4” –   March 9, 1999
7.  8.0” –   March 14 – 16, 1937
8.  7.9” –   March 2 – 3, 1960
9.  7.4” –   March 7 – 8, 1911
10. 7.2” –  March 16 – 17, 2014

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Snowiest Marchs, Washington, D.C. (Source: NWS)

1.  19.3” – 1914
2.  17.1” – 1960
3.  17.0” – 1891
4.  15.5” – 1900
5.  12.7   – 2014