National Weatherperson’s Day!

 

Topper Shutt, Chief Meteorologist, WUSA9

Washingtonians experience a high degree of weather variability during the month of February. Here are some record-setting events in recent years.

2019: This February finished more than 2° above average in the nation’s capital with 17 warmer than average days.  That included the warmest temperature of the month on February 5. The high of 74° not only set a record for the date, but was a temperature more typical of early May than early February.

2017: What turned out to be DC’s warmest February on record got off to a very warm start. Record highs in the 70s occurred on February 7 and February 8. February 2017 was also DC’s sixth driest February since weather records began in 1871.

2015: In 2015, February also had a milder than average start but finished as 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°).  This February was snowier than average with 9.8” and remains DC’s last snowier than average February.

2010:  This February will forever be synonymous with the record-setting storm that began 15 years ago today, “Snowmageddon.” It remains 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”. 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 the 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 emergency awareness and public safety.