For related and more recent posts, see:
Washington DC's historic, record-breaking snowstorm in December set off a predictable flurry of "Where's global warming now?" snark in the deniosphere, but the final temperature figures from the month show a very different picture: Heavy snow is frequently uncorrelated with temperatures. The December 2009 average temperature of 37.9° was all of 1.6° below the long-term average. This made it the coldest December in the Nation's Capital since it was 36.4° in 2005. The month was one of five Decembers of the decade to be colder than average, but well above the 31.8° in 2000. For the decade overall, December averaged just 0.07° below normal.
Stay tuned next week for more analysis and charts of the monthly, yearly, and decade temperatures.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Washington, DC Monthly/Annual/Decade Precipitation Update
Damp December, Ditto Decade (Wettest in Century)
See here for more Washington, DC weather records. New Year's Update: An additional 0.12" on New Year's Eve brings the final December total to 5.85", more than 90% above average. It's the wettest December in over a quarter century, since the 5.91" in 1983. As noted earlier, it's also the 7th wettest overall.
The final total for 2009 is 45.96", putting the annual average for the decade at 42.58". Six of the years in the decade have been at least 15% above or below the long-term annual average. That equals the maximum number of such extremes also observed in the 1950s and 1980s.
New charts added: Annual precipitation amounts and departures, decadal annual averages.
Tune in next week for temperature analysis.
Original post:
With 0.31" of wintry mix and rain showers so far this New Year's Eve day, the Washington, DC December precipitation total is now almost 90% above average. This is a little ahead of the 87% excess of June, but well short of the 111% in May.
December is the third consecutive month of much above average precipitation and the sixth of the year, with 5 out of the 6 being over 50% above. November, at 46% above, just missed the 50% level. Two of the dry months, February and July, were more than 50% below average, so a total of 7 months this year had more than a 50% deviation. This December is now the 7th wettest in Washington history.
The annual total of 45.84" is over 6" more than the long-term average of 39.35", but still lower than the 46.49" in 2008. Seven years this decade and 6 out of the last 7 years have been above average.
The annual average of 42.57" for the decade 2000-2009 is the wettest in a century and the third wettest overall, behind 43.40" in 1900-1909 and 46.80" in 1880-1889. Actually, the 1870s were slightly wetter with an average of 42.79", but they include only 9 years, since official records began in 1871.
Tune back in over the New Year's weekend for final monthly and annual totals, plus more charts.
Images (click to enlarge):
- Washington DC 2009 monthly precipitation amounts and percentages above or below average
- 2000-2009 annual precipitation amounts and percentages above or below average
- 1871-2009 decadal average annual precipitation amounts (1870s include only 9 years)
All charts by CapitalClimate from National Weather Service data
Thursday, December 24, 2009
New Orleans Drowns All-Time Monthly Precipitation Record
December 25 Update: The New Orleans daily climate report confirms the earlier rainfall estimates.11 PM CST Update: Today's unofficial total: 0.50", monthly total: 25.43".
Original post:
As noted last week, New Orleans doubled its previous December precipitation record in the first two weeks of the month and was closing in on the all-time monthly record. With 0.36" of rain so far this afternoon in heavy thunderstorms, the monthly total is now 25.29", exceeding the previous record of 25.11" set in October 1937. Light rain continues to fall as more showers move through the area.
Images (click to enlarge): New Orleans monthly precipitation records, CapitalClimate chart from National Weather Service data; 24 hour precipitation ending 6 am CST December 25 from National Weather Service
Monday, December 21, 2009
Emanuel, Prinn, Lindzen Debate CRU-Hack at MIT
Meteorology (EAPS in MIT-speak) professors Kerry Emanuel, Ronald Prinn, and Richard Lindzen, discussed the hacked emails (widely pimped as "ClimateGate") from the Climate Research Unit of the University of East Anglia with two political scientists on December 10.
Emanuel:
Emanuel:
What we have here are thousands of emails collectively showing scientists hard at work, trying to figure out the meaning of evidence that confronts them. Among a few messages, there are a few lines showing the human failings of a few scientists…Lindzen:
. . .things that are unethical and in many cases illegal . . . willingness to destroy data rather than release it . . . bad things going on . . . elite hysteria . . . devastating for popular support for science . . . scandals, cheating and arguments . . . bizarre changes [to the data] . . . The public is being thrown catastrophes.Prinn:
My view of the risk is that we have no other planet to retreat to if we are wrong.Video below (running time 1:58:31):
Stores Seen Surviving Super Saturday Storm
Dec. 22 Update: CNBC finds today that nationwide retail sales have increased, despite the weather:
Original post:
After pounding the Washington/Baltimore area with record-setting snowfall, the Super Saturday storm left massive amounts of snow on parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Long Island before departing out to sea. Nevertheless, a report from Bloomberg today indicates that last-minute shopping in the remaining days before Christmas may make up for lost sales over the weekend. Despite the reputation of "Black Friday", the maximum day for retail sales is usually "Super Saturday" on the weekend before Christmas. Overall, the 10 days before the holiday make up 40% of sales for the months of November and December, according to Bloomberg.
The NYT, on the other hand, was more cautious, pointing out that the region affected by the storm accounts for about 25% of a typical national retailer's total sales:
Storm on Big Weekend Raises Worries for Stores
The FT reported:
US retailers hope for last-minute gift buying
Some more records set by the storm:
On Long Island, the 26.3" of snow at the National Weather Service office in Upton set a new single storm record, breaking the old record of 23.0" in the blizzard of 1978.
Providence, RI set a new all-time December daily snowfall record with 14.3".
The storm total of 23.2" at Philadelphia is the second highest all-time storm total. The record is 30.7" in the blizzard of January 1996.
Many locations set individual daily records for December 19 or 20.
Original post:
After pounding the Washington/Baltimore area with record-setting snowfall, the Super Saturday storm left massive amounts of snow on parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Long Island before departing out to sea. Nevertheless, a report from Bloomberg today indicates that last-minute shopping in the remaining days before Christmas may make up for lost sales over the weekend. Despite the reputation of "Black Friday", the maximum day for retail sales is usually "Super Saturday" on the weekend before Christmas. Overall, the 10 days before the holiday make up 40% of sales for the months of November and December, according to Bloomberg.
The NYT, on the other hand, was more cautious, pointing out that the region affected by the storm accounts for about 25% of a typical national retailer's total sales:
Storm on Big Weekend Raises Worries for Stores
The FT reported:
US retailers hope for last-minute gift buying
Some more records set by the storm:
On Long Island, the 26.3" of snow at the National Weather Service office in Upton set a new single storm record, breaking the old record of 23.0" in the blizzard of 1978.
Providence, RI set a new all-time December daily snowfall record with 14.3".
The storm total of 23.2" at Philadelphia is the second highest all-time storm total. The record is 30.7" in the blizzard of January 1996.
Many locations set individual daily records for December 19 or 20.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Washington DC Snow Breaks December Record
For full season data, see: Winter 2009-2010 Snowfall Review
For other related posts, including the latest record report, see:
Sunday Evening Update: Here are a couple of other statistics from the National Weather Service:
Sunday AM Update: Final official daily and monthly (to date) snowfall amounts:
11 pm Update: As of 9 pm, Washington National reported 16.3" of snowfall from this storm. This brings the December total to 16.5", which is a new all-time December record, exceeding the 1962 amount of 16.2". This is also the 7th biggest snowstorm in Washington history. The 6 bigger ones are:
8 pm Update: BWI reports another inch, 17" on the ground. No change at National or Dulles.
Given the inconsistency with the snow amount and the over 1" of liquid at Dulles, the National precipitation amount cited earlier (0.33") is most likely incomplete, possibly from freezing of the instrument or blowing of the snow away from the instrument.
7 pm Update: Dulles reports another inch, 17" on the ground. National is at 15", BWI no change.
6:30 pm Update: The National Weather Service preliminary climate reports have been updated. Here are the daily snowfall/storm total/monthly total amounts for the region as of 4 pm:
6 pm Update: Baltimore (BWI) reports 16" on the ground in the latest hour. This would imply a total snowfall in the top 10 for Baltimore records dating back to 1891 and the highest in December. The 8th place snowstorm in the all-time record list is March 15-18, 1892 with 16.0".
Dulles is at 16", National no change.
5:30 pm Update: Updated unofficial reports.
5 pm Update: Dulles Airport now has an official report of 15" of snow on the ground; no increase at National. This puts Dulles close to the second highest December monthly total of 15.9" in 1969. The December record is 24.2" in 1966.
4:40 pm Update: The preliminary climate report for today has been issued with the snowfall amount listed as "MM" (missing), so the official record will be delayed. Interestingly, the precipitation amount is given as 0.33", which would have been only 3.3" at a typical snow/liquid ratio of 10:1.
4 pm Update: National adds another inch but depth on ground is still 14"; Dulles also at 14" on the ground with a cumulative amount of 16". Cumulative snowfall is probably now within the top 10 all-time biggest storms in Washington. Updated unofficial reports as of 3:23.
3 pm Update: Added snow depth chart and updated total to 14".
2 pm Update: National has added 1" to reach 13" on the ground, BWI 2" to 10". Considering that National had 1" on the ground at midnight, that's at least 12" of new snow today, which breaks the daily record, and the total amount breaks the December single-storm record. Here's the raw report showing SNINCR (snow increase) to 13":
Original post:
As of 1 pm, Washington National is reporting 1/8 mile visibility in heavy snow and an increase of 2" in the past hour with 12" on the ground. Unofficially, this is a new December daily record, exceeding the previous record of 11.5" set in 1932. Other regional amounts include:
For other related posts, including the latest record report, see:
Sunday Evening Update: Here are a couple of other statistics from the National Weather Service:
THE 15.0 INCHES OF SNOW MEASURED YESTERDAY WAS THE THIRDSunday PM Update: Added monthly record chart, updated unofficial measurements.
HIGHEST DAILY SNOWFALL ON ANY CALENDAR DAY AT WASHINGTON DC SINCE
SNOWFALL RECORDS BEGAN IN 1884.
THE 20.5 INCHES OF SNOW MEASURED YESTERDAY WILL GO DOWN AS THE FIFTH
HIGHEST DAILY SNOWFALL ON ANY CALENDAR DAY AT BALTIMORE SINCE
SNOWFALL RECORDS BEGAN IN 1893.
Sunday AM Update: Final official daily and monthly (to date) snowfall amounts:
Washington National 15.0"/16.6"New records (previous in parentheses):
Washington Dulles 16.0"/21.0"
Baltimore (BWI) 20.5"/22.2"
- National: All-time December daily (11.5", 12-17-1932) and monthly snowfall (16.2", 1962)
- Dulles: All-time December daily record (10.6", 12-12-1982) and second highest December snowfall (24.2", 1966)
- Baltimore: All-time December daily (11.5", 12-17-1932) and monthly snowfall (20.4", 1966)
11 pm Update: As of 9 pm, Washington National reported 16.3" of snowfall from this storm. This brings the December total to 16.5", which is a new all-time December record, exceeding the 1962 amount of 16.2". This is also the 7th biggest snowstorm in Washington history. The 6 bigger ones are:
January 27-28, 1922 .... 28 inches9 pm Update: Yet another inch at BWI, now at 18". Light snow continues at all 3 locations.
February 11-13, 1899 ... 20.5 inches
February 18-19, 1979 ... 18.7 inches
January 6-8, 1996 ...... 17.1 inches
February 15-18, 2003 ... 16.7 inches
February 11-12, 1983 ... 16.6 inches
8 pm Update: BWI reports another inch, 17" on the ground. No change at National or Dulles.
Given the inconsistency with the snow amount and the over 1" of liquid at Dulles, the National precipitation amount cited earlier (0.33") is most likely incomplete, possibly from freezing of the instrument or blowing of the snow away from the instrument.
7 pm Update: Dulles reports another inch, 17" on the ground. National is at 15", BWI no change.
6:30 pm Update: The National Weather Service preliminary climate reports have been updated. Here are the daily snowfall/storm total/monthly total amounts for the region as of 4 pm:
Washington National 14.0/15.4/15.6The 1.11" of liquid precipitation at Dulles is a record for the date.
Washington Dulles 15.0/15.0/18.0
Baltimore (BWI) 11.0/11.0/12.1
6 pm Update: Baltimore (BWI) reports 16" on the ground in the latest hour. This would imply a total snowfall in the top 10 for Baltimore records dating back to 1891 and the highest in December. The 8th place snowstorm in the all-time record list is March 15-18, 1892 with 16.0".
Dulles is at 16", National no change.
5:30 pm Update: Updated unofficial reports.
5 pm Update: Dulles Airport now has an official report of 15" of snow on the ground; no increase at National. This puts Dulles close to the second highest December monthly total of 15.9" in 1969. The December record is 24.2" in 1966.
4:40 pm Update: The preliminary climate report for today has been issued with the snowfall amount listed as "MM" (missing), so the official record will be delayed. Interestingly, the precipitation amount is given as 0.33", which would have been only 3.3" at a typical snow/liquid ratio of 10:1.
4 pm Update: National adds another inch but depth on ground is still 14"; Dulles also at 14" on the ground with a cumulative amount of 16". Cumulative snowfall is probably now within the top 10 all-time biggest storms in Washington. Updated unofficial reports as of 3:23.
3 pm Update: Added snow depth chart and updated total to 14".
2 pm Update: National has added 1" to reach 13" on the ground, BWI 2" to 10". Considering that National had 1" on the ground at midnight, that's at least 12" of new snow today, which breaks the daily record, and the total amount breaks the December single-storm record. Here's the raw report showing SNINCR (snow increase) to 13":
KDCA 191852Z 35014KT 1/4SM R01/1200V1400FT +SN VV003 M03/M06 A2965
RMK AO2 SLP039 DRSN ALQDS SNINCR 1/13 P0005 T10331056 $
Original post:
As of 1 pm, Washington National is reporting 1/8 mile visibility in heavy snow and an increase of 2" in the past hour with 12" on the ground. Unofficially, this is a new December daily record, exceeding the previous record of 11.5" set in 1932. Other regional amounts include:
Washington Dulles 12"Unofficial reports include:
Andrews AFB 11"
Baltimore (BWI) 9"
Patuxent River MD 5"
Roanoke 15"
Richmond 7"
********************STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL********************
LOCATION STORM TOTAL TIME/DATE COMMENTS
SNOWFALL OF
/INCHES/ MEASUREMENT
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
..DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
THE MALL 16.0 615 PM 12/19
MARYLAND
..ALLEGANY COUNTY
LONACONING 17.4 412 AM 12/20
NORTH BRANCH 1 N 17.0 1015 PM 12/19
CUMBERLAND 1 SSE 14.5 702 PM 12/19
FROSTBURG 14.0 700 PM 12/19
..ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY
GLEN BURNIE 22.5 915 PM 12/19
CROFTON 21.0 1030 PM 12/19
BALT-WASH INTL ARPT 21.0 1200 AM 12/20 KBWI
ANNAPOLIS 20.8 700 PM 12/19
OWINGS 1 NNE 20.0 845 PM 12/19
GREEN HAVEN 1 NE 19.9 424 AM 12/20
GAMBRILLS 1 NW 18.0 733 PM 12/19
MILLERSVILLE 18.0 815 PM 12/19
PAROLE 1 NNW 17.0 630 PM 12/19
RIVA 2 NW 15.0 933 PM 12/19
..BALTIMORE COUNTY
CATONSVILLE 20.5 847 PM 12/19
GUNPOWDER 1 WSW 20.5 933 PM 12/19
GARRISON 1 SE 20.4 1025 PM 12/19
ESSEX 20.0 1020 PM 12/19
PARKTON 20.0 655 PM 12/19
DUNDALK 1 SSW 19.5 700 PM 12/19
MONKTON 19.0 915 PM 12/19
REISTERSTOWN 19.0 945 PM 12/19
HAMPTON 1 W 18.0 618 PM 12/19
HUNT VALLEY 17.8 1005 PM 12/19
JACKSONVILLE 17.0 900 PM 12/19
RANDALLSTOWN 1 NW 16.5 715 PM 12/19
PARKVILLE 1 ENE 12.0 830 PM 12/19
..BALTIMORE CITY COUNTY
CARROLL 2 W 17.0 1115 PM 12/19
..CALVERT COUNTY
DARES BEACH 3 NW 19.0 800 PM 12/19
HUNTINGTOWN 18.8 1050 PM 12/19
..CARROLL COUNTY
LINEBORO 3 WSW 20.0 933 PM 12/19
MILLERS 19.0 1100 PM 12/19
WESTMINSTER 1 N 18.8 729 PM 12/19
LINEBORO 2 E 18.5 800 PM 12/19
..CHARLES COUNTY
BRYANS ROAD 2 ESE 21.2 1000 PM 12/19
DENTSVILLE 1 SW 13.5 1050 PM 12/19
WALDORF 4 SE 13.5 600 PM 12/19
..FREDERICK COUNTY
LIBERTYTOWN 2 N 22.5 931 PM 12/19
FREDERICK 1 ESE 22.0 1100 PM 12/19
NEW MARKET 2 NW 22.0 900 PM 12/19
MIDDLETOWN 21.0 930 PM 12/19
JEFFERSON 2 NE 20.2 931 PM 12/19
POINT OF ROCKS 19.0 930 PM 12/19
WALKERSVILLE 19.0 743 PM 12/19
..HARFORD COUNTY
EDGEWOOD 19.0 800 PM 12/19
FALLSTON 1 N 18.0 931 PM 12/19
BEL AIR 1 NE 16.5 840 PM 12/19
..HOWARD COUNTY
COLUMBIA 23.0 945 PM 12/19
SIMPSONVILLE 1 SSE 22.9 1200 AM 12/20
COLUMBIA 2 N 22.9 950 PM 12/19
ELKRIDGE 2 W 21.0 930 PM 12/19
GLENELG 1 ENE 19.5 1050 PM 12/19
SAVAGE 1 WSW 19.0 1128 PM 12/19
HANOVER 19.0 945 PM 12/19
SAVAGE 1 N 17.0 900 PM 12/19
ELLICOTT CITY 1 ESE 16.8 900 PM 12/19
..MONTGOMERY COUNTY
BETHESDA 24.0 500 AM 12/20
OLNEY 23.3 1030 PM 12/19
DERWOOD 23.0 900 PM 12/19
GLEN ECHO 22.8 930 PM 12/19
OLNEY 1 S 22.5 800 PM 12/19
GERMANTOWN 22.0 650 PM 12/19
GAITHERSBURG 1 NW 22.0 632 PM 12/19
NORBECK 21.3 1200 AM 12/20
ROCKVILLE 2 NW 21.0 932 PM 12/19
NORBECK 1 SE 21.0 1000 PM 12/19
COLESVILLE 21.0 900 PM 12/19
GLENMONT 21.0 737 PM 12/19
POTOMAC 3 ENE 20.6 1100 PM 12/19
DAMASCUS 20.3 918 PM 12/19
BETHESDA 2 NNW 20.0 743 PM 12/19
FAIRLAND 1 ESE 20.0 815 PM 12/19
ROCKVILLE 1 SSW 20.0 800 PM 12/19
NORTH POTOMAC 1 E 19.0 1000 PM 12/19
POOLESVILLE 19.0 1230 AM 12/20
DARNESTOWN 1 SW 19.0 815 PM 12/19
SILVER SPRING 1 ESE 18.0 1000 PM 12/19
GERMANTOWN 3 E 16.5 700 PM 12/19
..PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY
LAUREL 19.1 1000 PM 12/19
BOWIE 2 NNW 19.0 921 PM 12/19
BOWIE 18.8 802 PM 12/19
HYATTSVILLE 18.0 812 PM 12/19
GLENN DALE 3 ENE 18.0 1050 PM 12/19
FOREST HEIGHTS 1 SSE 17.0 720 PM 12/19
BELTSVILLE 1 SSW 15.0 1110 PM 12/19
ADELPHI 1 ENE 13.8 1000 PM 12/19
..ST. MARYS COUNTY
HOLLYWOOD 1 NNE 15.8 300 AM 12/20
HOLLYWOOD 14.5 950 PM 12/19
..WASHINGTON COUNTY
SMITHSBURG 21.0 742 PM 12/19
HANCOCK 16.0 630 PM 12/19
VIRGINIA
..ALBEMARLE COUNTY
EARLYSVILLE 3 NW 23.0 1045 PM 12/19
EARLYSVILLE 23.0 1010 PM 12/19
CROZET 22.0 600 PM 12/19
MONTICELLO 1 NW 19.0 1000 PM 12/19
..ARLINGTON COUNTY
BALLSTON 1 SW 20.5 100 AM 12/20
ARLINGTON 20.5 800 PM 12/19
BAILEYS CROSSROADS 1 19.3 945 PM 12/19
FALLS CHURCH 1 ENE 19.2 1100 PM 12/19
REAGAN NATIONAL AIRP 16.4 1200 AM 12/20 KDCA
..AUGUSTA COUNTY
STUARTS DRAFT 28.8 600 PM 12/19
FISHERSVILLE 26.0 600 PM 12/19
..CITY OF ALEXANDRIA
BARCROFT 2 ESE 20.0 1244 AM 12/20
ALEXANDRIA 19.0 741 PM 12/19
ALEXANDRIA 1 SE 15.0 614 PM 12/19
..CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE
CHARLOTTESVILLE 21.0 600 PM 12/19
..CITY OF WAYNESBORO
WAYNESBORO 28.0 600 PM 12/19
..CLARKE COUNTY
BERRYVILLE 1 NW 22.0 857 PM 12/19
BERRYVILLE 22.0 720 PM 12/19
BERRYVILLE 2 NE 21.0 700 PM 12/19
..FAIRFAX COUNTY
CENTREVILLE 1 SE 23.0 820 PM 12/19
CHANTILLY 1 N 22.0 1230 AM 12/20
GREAT FALLS 2 NW 21.8 1120 PM 12/19
HERNDON 1 NNE 21.0 1000 PM 12/19
BURKE 1 NNW 21.0 1200 AM 12/20
LORTON 20.8 1000 PM 12/19
VIENNA 20.5 700 PM 12/19
CHANTILLY 3 SE 20.0 845 PM 12/19
RESTON 20.0 845 PM 12/19
FAIRFAX STATION 1 NN 19.2 1100 PM 12/19
LINCOLNIA 1 W 19.2 940 PM 12/19
FRANCONIA 1 N 18.0 1227 AM 12/20
RAVENSWORTH 17.5 830 PM 12/19
..FAUQUIER COUNTY
OPAL 21.8 1035 PM 12/19
MARSHALL 21.0 1107 PM 12/19
WARRENTON 4 SE 20.5 900 PM 12/19
BEALETON 1 ESE 18.0 900 PM 12/19
..FREDERICK COUNTY
WHITACRE 1 ESE 19.0 600 PM 12/19
STEPHENS CITY 2 E 18.5 945 PM 12/19
WINCHESTER 18.0 930 PM 12/19
WINCHESTER 5 NE 17.8 800 PM 12/19
..GREENE COUNTY
RUCKERSVILLE 1 W 19.5 815 PM 12/19
MCMULLEN 16.5 702 PM 12/19
..LOUDOUN COUNTY
LUCKETTS 22.0 1000 PM 12/19
BLUEMONT 21.0 745 PM 12/19
DULLES INTL 3 NW 19.3 1200 AM 12/20 NWS OFFICE
ASHBURN 19.0 710 PM 12/19
LOVETTSVILLE 19.0 611 PM 12/19
ARCOLA 1 SSW 18.5 810 PM 12/19
DULLES INTERNATIONAL 18.0 1200 AM 12/20 KIAD
..NELSON COUNTY
WINTERGREEN 30.0 600 PM 12/19
..PAGE COUNTY
LURAY 1 SW 17.0 1130 PM 12/19
..PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY
WOOLSEY 3 NNW 19.3 932 PM 12/19
MANASSAS 18.0 1200 AM 12/20
..ROCKINGHAM COUNTY
GROTTOES 22.0 1100 PM 12/19
MASSANUTTEN 1 SE 20.5 607 PM 12/19
..SHENANDOAH COUNTY
TOMS BROOK 3 SSE 17.5 900 PM 12/19
..SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY
BELMONT 4 SE 19.0 649 PM 12/19
CHANCELLORSVILLE 4 S 18.5 721 PM 12/19
..STAFFORD COUNTY
FALMOUTH 14.0 1000 PM 12/19
..WARREN COUNTY
LINDEN 2 N 26.8 800 PM 12/19
FRONT ROYAL 1 ENE 21.0 748 PM 12/19
WEST VIRGINIA
..BERKELEY COUNTY
VANVILLE 1 SSW 21.0 951 PM 12/19
BUNKER HILL 1 WNW 20.0 1000 PM 12/19
MARTINSBURG 20.0 800 PM 12/19
GERRARDSTOWN 19.5 622 PM 12/19
FALLING WATERS 2 N 19.5 613 PM 12/19
FALLING WATERS 1 NNW 17.0 1015 PM 12/19
GERRARDSTOWN 1 ESE 14.5 900 PM 12/19
..HAMPSHIRE COUNTY
SPRINGFIELD 22.0 739 PM 12/19
LEHEW 2 WNW 20.0 739 PM 12/19
CAPON BRIDGE 6 SW 19.0 936 PM 12/19
..JEFFERSON COUNTY
SHENANDOAH JUNCTION 20.0 900 PM 12/19
..MINERAL COUNTY
KEYSER 21.0 738 PM 12/19
Friday, December 18, 2009
Washington DC Snow Freqs: December Records
For related and more recent posts, see:Generations of Washington area snow freaks have learned the hard way not to count their flakes until they're baked, but all indications are that a Big One is cooking in the kitchen of Momma Nature's Weather Grill. The latest National Weather Service forecast, updated within the hour, is calling for total snow accumulations of 14-16" by Saturday night. Stu Ostro of The Weather Channel has his usual excellent analysis of the storm here: It's as easy as A + B = C.
In order to see how big the forecast amount really is, Momma's data dicers dusted off a chart originally published three years ago. Including the two trace amounts and 2.6" recorded in the meantime, the fraction of years with no measurable December snow now stands at 23% for the 121 years since official records began in 1888. Only 11 times (9%) have monthly totals exceeded 10". The most recent occurrence was in 1973 with 11". The others were:
1962 16.2"The 1973 amount consisted mainly of 6" on the 16th and 4.2" on the 17th. The last time 10" fell on a single calendar day was Dec. 4, 1957 with 11.1". Since records began at the current National Airport location in 1929, there have been only two other December days with 10" or more: the 26th in 1941 (10") and the 17th in 1932 (11.5"). The 11.5" in 1932 holds the all-time December daily snowfall record. Of the 12 heaviest 3-day snow totals (12.7" or higher), none have occurred in December.
1966 16.1"
1932 14.5"
1904 13.2"
1890 13"
1910 12"
1957 12"
1908 11.5"
1935 11"
Images (click to enlarge): Precipitation forecast from The Weather Channel;
CapitalClimate chart from National Weather Service data, photo © Kevin Ambrose;
Energy and math symbols holiday snowflakes from MIT, animated version here.
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