National Weather Person’s Day

DC Area Residents enjoy record warmth this February 5 !

Washingtonians have experienced a high degree of weather variability during the month of February.  The first week of February has featured very diverse weather events over just the last decade.

2017:  What turned out to be DC’s warmest February on record got off to a very warm start with six of the first eight days being warmer than average.  Record highs in the 70s occurred on February 7 and February 8.  That’s similar to this week since the Nation’s Capital set a new record high of 72° this afternoon breaking the existing record (70°) that had stood since 1890.  February 2017 was also DC’s sixth driest February on record.

2015:  In 2015, February also had a milder than average start but it became DC’s coldest since 1979.  A total of seven days had high temperatures at or below 32°.  A record low of 5° was set on February 20 that was DC’s coldest February temperature, overall, since February 2, 1961 (4°).  Unlike the dry months of February 2017 and 2018, this February was snowier than average (5.7”) with 9.8”.

2010:  This February will forever be synonymous with the record-setting storm that began nine years ago today, “Snowageddon.”  It is DC’s fourth largest snowstorm (currently tied with the January 2016 blizzard) and produced 17.8” of snow at National Airport.  Snowfall totals of 20” to 30” were common in the DC Metro Area.  The 2009-2010 winter season became DC’s snowiest on record (56.1”). 

1996:  This was DC’s third snowiest winter with 46”.  Washingtonians experienced some of the coldest weather in recent memory in early February.  The Nation’s Capital had five consecutive days to start the month with high temperatures below freezing.  No record lows were observed downtown, but Dulles Airport had record low temperatures of -10° and -9°, respectively, on February 4 and 5.

February 5 is also National Weatherperson’s Day, which is designed to recognize and honor everyone who works in the fields of meteorology and atmospheric science.  There are many facets to the field of meteorology from forecasting in both the public and private sector (e.g., for airlines, agriculture and other weather dependent industries) to broadcast meteorologists, researchers and teachers.  Today’s the day to recognize what meteorologists do to promote awareness and public safety.