March Snow Boom Since March 2013 (IAD/BWI/DCA)

[Cobalt]

While 3 of the past 6 winters have not been generous to all in terms of snowfall, Each of the 6 winters has something in common, which is a snowy March. March has made a sort of resurgence, rivaling years past (primarily the 50s & 60s in terms of snow). I'll give a little run down of the stats which are actually kind of impressive

 

 

At IAD, this is the snowiest 6 year stretch of Marches. The only 6 March stretch comparable to this is the 6 March stretch ending March 1997 (34.3"), meaning this is the snowiest 6 March stretch in the IAD era. The closest 7 March stretch is ending March 1999 (47.4").

At BWI, the stretch is in fact the snowiest in the IAD era, but is dwarfed by 6 March stretches such as the 6 March stretch ending March 1965 (58.6"), 6 year stretch ending March 1944 (56.9"), and the 6 year stretch ending March 1892 (62.6"!!). Still, the most snow in a 6 March stretch since 1965 is impressive. 

At DCA, the 6 year stretch might not seem as impressive, but given the fact that DCA averages 1.3" of snow every March, that's not too shabby. It's the largest streak since the 6 March stretch ending in March 1965 (33.8"), but is nothing in comparison to the 6 year stretch ending March 1893 (46.6")

 

So, in conclusion, March snow is back. We've had quite the memorable stretch of March snowfall since 2013, including St Patty's day 2014, 2 March 25th events (basically in a row no less), the March 2017 sleet bomb, and now the March 21st 2018 snowstorm. Just wanted to get this out there since it has felt like we've had a nice 6 year stretch of Marches, and the numbers back this up. 

 

[Eskimo Joe]

Nice work.  As @Ian says on Tweeter all the time, "March is the new January."

[RodneyS]

This is a very interesting phenomenon, and is reflective of cooler March temperatures in the Mid-Atlantic since the record-breaking 56.8 degree average recorded at DCA in March 2012.  Consider what's happened to the Tidal Basin peak cherry blossom bloom date during the last six years, relative to historical averages:  From 1921 (first year peak bloom was recorded) through 1996, the average peak bloom date was just shy of April 5th (April 4.6, to be more exact).  During 1997-2012, that date shifted by about five and a half days earlier, to March 30.2.  However, with an estimated peak bloom date this year of April 10th, the 2013-2018 average peak bloom date would be April 4.5 -- back to where we were during 1921-1996. 

Obviously, six years is a limited period and could be a fluke, but I'm not sure anyone forecast this rather remarkable shift in March temperatures and snowfall in our region.