Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

elleng

(136,595 posts)
Thu Feb 18, 2021, 12:09 AM Feb 2021

HISTORY: Ranks as DC's third largest snowstorm on record.

(41) years ago -- one of DC's most notorious blizzards struck on Presidents' Day weekend
It ranks as DC's third largest snowstorm on record.

A poorly forecast blizzard hit the D.C. Metro Area on February 18-19, 1979. Snow began falling at night on February 18 and ended in the morning of February 19. National Airport recorded 18.7” inches and it still remains DC’s third largest snowstorm on record. Only the Knickerbocker Storm in January of 1922 and the Valentine’s Day blizzard in 1899 were larger.

The February 1979 storm produced a snow depth of up to 23” downtown and 18” fell in a mere 18 hours! Snowfall reports of 2” to 3” inches per hour occurred with temperatures in the single digits and teens. Early forecasts was for only 4” to 6”.

FEBRUARY 1979: This was the second snowiest February on record in Washington, D.C. for 31 years – until 2010. A total of 30.6” of snow fell at National Airport that month, with the bulk coming on February 18-19. That’s when 18.7” of snow was measured in a paralyzing winter storm which remains the third largest snow total in DC history. This storm is also significant because it ranks as the largest snowfall on record since National Airport opened in 1941. The two largest snowstorms in DC history occurred in January of 1922 and February of 1899, respectively, when weather measurements were made downtown.

Photo: Snow Totals from February 18 - 19, 1979. App Users CLICK HERE.

https://www.wusa9.com/article/weather/weather-blog/40-years-ago-one-of-dcs-most-notorious-blizzards-struck-on-presidents-day-weekend/65-5d3e6d59-4cb4-49a6-9a00-4bd9bd4ec090?

1 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
HISTORY: Ranks as DC's third largest snowstorm on record. (Original Post) elleng Feb 2021 OP
was there for the blizzard of 1966. pretty awesome snow storm in falls church, we went msongs Feb 2021 #1

msongs

(70,227 posts)
1. was there for the blizzard of 1966. pretty awesome snow storm in falls church, we went
Thu Feb 18, 2021, 01:22 AM
Feb 2021

out and played in the 7 ft drifts running down the middle of the main hiway to DC

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»District of Columbia»HISTORY: Ranks as DC's th...