DC’s Epic February Snowstorms

 

Epic snowfall in Bethesda, Maryland

February is DC’s snowiest month of the year, on average, according to NOAA. So, it’s fitting snow is occurring today. While today’s storm won’t be historic, six of DC’s 10 largest winter storms happened in February. Here are some of them.

2010: On February 5-6, a total of 17.8” of snow occurred at Reagan National Airport. Dubbed “Snowmageddon,” this became DC’s fourth largest snowstorm on record (later tied by the January 2016 blizzard). 20” - 30” snowfall totals were common and with 32.4”, this was the largest winter storm on record at Dulles Airport. BWI Airport had 25.0”.

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, it remains tied for DC’s eighth largest on record. Snow totals of greater than 30” were common west and north of downtown, including 26.8” at BWI Airport and 21.7” at Dulles Airport. With 40.4” of snow at National, this winter finished tied with 1957-1958 as DC’s seventh snowiest on record.

1983: A total of 16.6” accumulated at National Airport during a storm from February 10 – 11.  It remains DC’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 and this storm helped illustrate how many of DC’s largest winter storms occur during such winters.

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 the nation’s capital and remains DC’s third largest snowstorm. The two largest snowstorms in DC history occurred in January 1922 and February 1899, respectively, before National Airport opened. This was also a Top 10 snowfall at Dulles and BWI Airports. February 1979 is one of only four months the nation’s capital has gotten at least 30.0” of snow and was also a frigid month finishing nearly 12° colder than average.

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. This was also a frigid month with below 0 temperatures on four days.