RodneyS Posted February 23, 2011 Share Posted February 23, 2011 During the winter of 1913-14, no measurable snow fell in Washington, DC until February 13, 1914. Then a Valentine's Eve/Valentine's Day storm dropped 4.5 inches of snow. That seemed to open the snow gates, as after that snow fell on an additional nine days through March 22, 1914, resulting in 28.6 inches of total snow for the season, of which a record 19.3 inches fell in March. Forty-six years later, during the winter of 1959-60, once again no measurable snow fell in DC until February 13, and once again a Valentine's Eve/Valentine's Day storm dropped significant snow -- this time, 6.2 inches. And once again, that seemed to open the snow gates, as after that snow fell on an additional seven days through March 16, 1960, resulting in 24.3 inches of total snow for the season, of which 17.1 inches fell in March -- the second most ever. Somewhat analogous to the thread I just started about highly varying precipitation on two nearby August days in DC, I wonder if the above was just a weird coincidence, or whether the early season snow drought somehow led to the heavy late season snow -- beginning on the very same day. Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fozz Posted February 23, 2011 Share Posted February 23, 2011 1959-60 was a great winter, an epic March. The following winter was excellent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris L Posted February 23, 2011 Share Posted February 23, 2011 March 1960 is simply unheard of... even up here in New York City area, they do not make March(es) like that anymore. Its all about December. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RIC Airport Posted February 23, 2011 Share Posted February 23, 2011 32.7" of snow at RIC in 1959-60.....with 19.7" of that falling just in March alone. I believe that's the winter where Roanoke at something like 65" altogether. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fozz Posted February 23, 2011 Share Posted February 23, 2011 BWI got 21.6" in March 1960, and 34.1" total for the season, very similar to Richmond's totals. More incredibly, its average temperature was 33.4 that month, a full 10 degrees colder than the normal March average, and colder than all three winter months that season by about 3-6 degrees. It was the coldest March on record, while the next coldest March was 37.0. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RIC Airport Posted February 23, 2011 Share Posted February 23, 2011 BWI got 21.6" in March 1960, and 34.1" total for the season, very similar to Richmond's totals. More incredibly, its average temperature was 33.4 that month, a full 10 degrees colder than the normal March average, and colder than all three winter months that season by about 3-6 degrees. It was the coldest March on record, while the next coldest March was 37.0. For Richmond, March 1960 is the coldest and snowiest March on record. The average monthly temperature finished at 35.9°F. The month started off with a major snowstorm March 2-3 followed by really cold temperatures. Despite the high sun angle, snow remained on the ground (1.0" or more) for 15 consecutive days. There were a couple decent snowstorms every few days helping to retain the snowcover. March 1960 did featured the coldest March temperature of 11°F, but the record was broken in March 2009. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Analog96 Posted February 23, 2011 Share Posted February 23, 2011 March 1960 is simply unheard of... even up here in New York City area, they do not make March(es) like that anymore. Its all about December. What about March, 1896? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VAsnowfan Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 Roanoke had their snowiest season on record with 62.7" during the winter of 1959-60 with 30.3" falling during March alone. 57.9" of Snow fell between February 13-March 21,1960. 1959-60 is tied for second greatest seasonal snowfall total on record in Lynchburg with 45.2" of which 24.9" fell during March. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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