W e a t h e r W a r r i o r . N e t
WINTER WEATHER SUMMARY
Snowmageddon - 2009 & 2010 Winter Season
The winter the records fell.

WEATHER WARRIOR . NET
 WINTER WEATHER

The 2009/2010 winter season will be one remembered for a long time.  A number of records have been broken this season and include but not limited to Washington, DC having the most snow fall in the month of December, the most major snow events in one season (three, Dec. 19, Feb.5-6, Feb.9-10), the most snow to fall in one season, and the most snow to fall in the month of February, and an unpresidented week where two major storms hit (Feb.5 thru Feb. 10).  Baltimore also had similar records and averages broken.  This season started with the December 5th snow storm and has had a total of eight (8) events [so far].  In an El Nino year, along with a strong blast of arctic air, it has also been a below average season temperature wise, but not by any extreme.  The last season that comes close to this one is the 2002/2003 winter season that included the President's Day #2 storm.

AND....with the season not over just yet, may have more to add to the story.
December 5th , 2009 Snow Storm
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First quick blast for the season.  December 5th is a unique date for DC winter seasons as it is a common date to have snowfall on especially if it falls on a weekend.  On this date, snow has fallen in the following years: 1910*, 2002, 2007 and of course now 2009.  I am searching for previous years, but it is a frequent date.

This storm was a decent storm for so early in the season.  Nothing record breaking, but certainly a nice start to what would later prove to be a BIG season.  I started at around 11am going around western part of Montgomery County, Maryland, including Riley's Lock (C&O Canal) near the mouth of Seneca Creek at the Potomac River.  Once I played there a little I returned to Germantown, MD picked up my buddy Aaron and together we ventured out again.  First to Clarksburg after reports of nearly 7" of snow was reported.  It certainly was deeper than other areas.  Seems that has been the case with more reports coming from Clarksburg now that the area is heavily developed and where one area TV meteorologist lives.

Further travels in the snow including heading to Little Bennett Park, up to Damascus and as the night fell headed down to Boyds, MD and spending a bit of time building a snowman on the platform of the train station.  I was getting pretty tired, but did make a quick run by White's Ferry, then returned back to Germantown and Gaithersburg.

*NWS site says Dec. 4-7
**1957 saw snow on Dec.3rd thru 4th but not specifically the 5th.
***2008 saw snow on Dec. 6th, and it was a leap year.

DCA:
BWI:
IAD:
IMBY:
December 19th, 2009 HISTORIC Snow Storm
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One small storm (Dec. 5) to kick off the season....then BAM!!!! We get the first of what will be a season of falling records.  This storm broke many of the area records for ALL TIME December snowfall, including the all important DCA with a total of 17.1" of snow.  We got about 20" here close to home, with as much as 22" nearby.



December 31th, 2009 Snow Shower
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A quick storm that dropped a quick few inches for New Year's Eve.  All snow from the previous storm was melted, so this was just a small dusting.  But it was another storm in an active season.  It also was a nice topper for the year-to-date snow totals. 





January 8th, 2010 Snow Shower (dusting)
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This was just a quick blast of a few flurries that did accumulate into some measureable snow, although minimal amounts.  I actually was out doing some geocaching and took these pictures while enjoying that quick outing.  One spot I hit was one I've done countless times up between Clarksburg and Boyds along Rt. 121.  I've got enough photos form that spot that it'll make for an interesting series of winter, snow, fall, and thunderstorms.


January 30th, 2010 Snow flurries and light accumulation
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February 3rd, 2010 Snow Storm
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A quick blast before the big storm got going.  The intersting thing about this storm is the fact it was a rather wet snow with fast snow fall rates, and very little if now wind associated with the event.  It was for this reason that I wanted to make sure I was out getting photos.  With this type of snow, I was sure to see a good number of shots because the snow was sticking so well to the trees and other objects, even though the snow depths were not expected to be that much.

I stayed in Montgomery County, Maryland for this one, not venturing far, simply because I didn't need to.  For this event I traveled through the western part of the county, but also hit areas like Rockville, Maryland near the town center.

February 5th & 6th, 2010 HISTORIC Snow Storm #2
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A second major storm started looking likely a few days before the event.  Model watchers, forecasters and meteorologists were all watching with amazement (and some doubt) that we could be looking at a second major 20+ inches snow storm in the DC region. 






February 9th & 10th 2010 HISTORIC RECORD BREAKING Snow Storm #3
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And we thought two major storms in one year was unprecedented...and now this. 

2003 was our last major storm...I remember that one, before that 1996 & 1979 was worse. Other big storms were in 1993 and 1983, and the worst was 1922, named the Knickerbocker Storm because of the Knickerbocker Theater that had the roof collapse, killing a large group of people watching a play.


On top of everything, this was a true "Blizzard" type storm with winds blowing quite hard at times. 


February 15th 2010 Clipper Snow Storm (pending)
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Unbelievable, it's snowing again,

DCA = Washington-Reagan National Airport, Arlington, VA.
BWI = Thurgood Marshall Baltimore/Washhington International Airport, Canton, Maryland.
IAD = Washington Dulles International Airport, Sterling, VA
IMBY = (acronym) In My Back Yard.  Means reports from within about one mile or less of home residence.