WASHINGTON — D.C. area winter weather enthusiasts have historically had a lot to cheer for during the month of February.
However, Washingtonians haven’t had a snowier than average February since 2015.
Making matters worse for those longing for snowfall is that NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center expects this month to be warmer than average for much of the eastern United States.
Nevertheless, six of D.C.’s 10 largest winter storms have occurred in February, with “Snowmageddon” in 2010 being the most recent. Here are some of the others:
- 2003: This President’s Day Storm was the signature winter storm of the snowy 2002-2003 season. With 16.4” of snow officially at Reagan National Airport (DCA) from February 16 – 18, this storm remains tied for D.C.’s eighth largest on record. Snow totals of greater than 30” were common west and north of downtown, including 26.8” at BWI Airport (second largest) and 21.7” at Dulles Airport (fifth largest). With 40.4” of snow at National, this winter finished tied with 1957-1958 as D.C.’s seventh snowiest on record.
- 1983: A total of 16.6” accumulated at National Airport from February 10 – 11. It remains D.C.’s seventh largest snowstorm. 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 season was an El Nino winter and illustrated how many of D.C.’s largest winter storms occur during El Nino winters. Other Top 10 D.C. snowfalls occurred during El Nino winters in 2002-2003 and 2009-2010.
- 1979: A monthly snowfall total of 30.6” occurred at National Airport, with the majority falling during an epic February 18 – 19 storm. Its 18.7” of snow paralyzed D.C. and remains D.C.’s third largest snowstorm. This storm is also significant because it ranks as the largest snowfall at National Airport since it opened in 1941. It was also a Top 10 snowfall at Dulles and BWI Airports.
- 1899: This remains the snowiest overall month on record in Washington, D.C. with a total of 35.2”. That can be attributed largely to D.C.’s second largest snowstorm (20.0”) on February 12 - 14. The largest snowstorm on record in Washington, D.C. remains the infamous “Knickerbocker Storm” that occurred in 1922.
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