FEBRUARY
01ST


1893
Thunder and lightning accompanied sleet and snow at Saint Louis MO during the evening hours, even though the temperature was just 13 degrees above zero.
(The Weather Channel)
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1899
The U.S. Weather Bureau Hurricane Forecasting Center was moved from Kingston, Jamaica to Havana, Cuba. Observation stations had been established in 1898 throughout the central and eastern Caribbean by President McKinley, who reportedly feared hurricanes more than the Spanish Navy in the Spanish American War. In 1902, the hurricane forecasting was transferred to Washington, DC.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1916
Seattle, WA was buried under 21.5 inches of snow, their greatest 24-hour snowfall. A total of 32.5 inches of wet snow accumulated over three days. The Seattle cathedral dome collapsed under the snow’s weight. (Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1920
Atmospheric pressure builds over New England to extreme levels. Barometer in Portland, Maine reads 31.09 inches of mercury (1053 mb), the highest February sea-level pressure ever recorded in the Eastern US. Hartford, Connecticut hits 31.06 inches of mercury (1051 mb). The Eastern US record was set the previous day (January 31, 1920) in Northfield VT at 31.14 in, though it was the same air mass. The mercury dropped to -45° at Pittsburg, NH. The City data comes from Christopher Burt's list of extreme pressures for US Cities
(Ref. WxDoctor)
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)
(Ref. US Barometer Records by State)

The highest air pressure ever recorded in the US was 31.85 inches in mercury (1078.56 millibars) in January 31, 1989 in the city of Northway, Alaska.
(Ref. Bob Swanson, USA TODAY's assistant weather editor, November 24, 2005)

1935
Minimum temperature for Washington, DC for the date 6°F
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1947
On this date through the 9th, a memorable blizzard occurred in Saskatchewan, Canada. All highways into Regina were blocked. Railway officials declared the worst conditions in Canadian rail history. One train was buried in a snowdrift 6/10 of a mile long and 36.7 feet deep.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1951
The greatest ice storm of record in the United States produced glaze up to four inches thick from Texas to Pennsylvania causing twenty-five deaths, 500 serious injuries, and 100 million dollars damage. Tennessee was hardest hit by the storm. Communications and utilities were interrupted for a week to ten days. The temperature in Gavilian, New Mexico plunged to 50° below zero, a new record for the state.
(David Ludlum)

Denver CO minimum temperature for February is 25 degrees below zero recorded on (today 2-1-1951) and also on 2/8/1936.
(National Weather Service Records for Denver CO)


1955
An F3 tornado tracked 8 miles from Commerce Landing in Tunica County, Mississippi cutting an 8 mile path to near Robinsonville & Clark in Mississippi, killing 20 people and injuring 141 others. 17 people were killed in a plantation school at Commerce Landing, making it the 3rd deadliest school tornado disaster in U.S. History. The heroic teacher died trying to save her students by moving them into ditches. The rebuilt school was named after her. One dead child was blown a half mile away. Despite that fact the funnel was seen, that heavy objects were thrown long distances, and that the tornado was in a forecast box, the event was not officially called a tornado. A survey team stated that since all debris was thrown in one direction, the event should not be listed as a tornado.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1969
Across central and eastern South Dakota contained a variety of winter weather causing many problems. Glazing due to heavy fog and drizzle periodically formed on utility lines causing numerous broken power lines. Periodically, strong winds caused widespread blowing and drifting snow resulting in many closed roads. Snowplows would open the roads and often drifting snow would close the roads again. Frequent uses of pusher type snowplows piled banks of snow 20 to 30 feet along the roads and it became impractical to open roads with this type of snowplow. Several rotary snowplows were flown in from military air bases outside of the state to open some of the roads in the eastern part of the state. Numerous school closings occurred during the month due to snow blocked roads.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1982
A winter storm struck the Niagara Frontier and western southern tier of western New Your beginning on January 31st and continued through this date. Precipitation fell as a mixture of rain, freezing rain and snow. Winds gusted as high as 61 mph. Most of western New York's schools closed on the first as glazed highways and the high winds made driving extremely hazardous. Buffalo International Airport shut down most of the day due to ice accumulations up to an inch on the runways. The high winds caused local whiteouts and extreme cold wind chills. Thousands of area homes were without power as ice coated power lines throughout the area. There were numerous reports of traffic accidents including a tractor trailer that was blown off Route 219 in Orchard Park and six tractor trailers jack knifed and slid off the Southern Tier Expressway. The Father Baker Bridge, Fuhrman Boulevard, and the Skyway were closed because of icy pavement and zero visibility.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1983
One of the most widespread outbreaks of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in Florida history occurred on this date. Unusual El Nino conditions resulted in a 180-mph jet stream across the central Gulf of Mexico that strengthened a line of thunderstorms moving eastward into the western Florida Panhandle. It was before dawn and the thunderstorms continued southeastward through the entire state, exiting the southeast coast and the Keys around sunset the next day. At least 21 tornadoes occurred, along with severe thunderstorm downbursts, hail, and heavy rains. Seven tornadoes touched down during the day across the Panhandle killing l and injuring one. Overall, five people were killed along with several serious injuries requiring hospitalization, and about 200 people were left homeless.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1985
The temperature at Maybell, Colorado plunged to -61 °F below zero for a new record for the state of Colorado. The temperature at Peter's Sink, Utah had a low of -69 °F below zero for a new record for the state of Utah.
(Extreme Weather p. 54, by Christopher C. Burt)

Snow, sleet and ice glazed southern Tennessee and northern sections of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. The winter storm produced up to eleven inches of sleet and ice in Lauderdale County AL, one of the worst storms of record for the state. All streets in Florence AL were closed for the first time of record. (1st-2nd)
(The Weather Channel)

1986
The longest recorded, national run without a tornado ends, 52 days from December 12, 1985 to February 1, 1986.
(Ref. WxDoctor)

1987
A storm in the Pacific Northwest produced wind gusts to 100 mph at Cape Blanco OR, and up to six inches of rain in the northern coastal mountain ranges.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1988
Thunderstorms in southern Louisiana deluged Basile with 12.34 inches of rain.
Arctic cold gripped the north central United States Wolf Point MT reported a low of 32 degrees below zero. Thirty cities in the eastern United States reported new record high temperatures for the date, including Richmond VA with a reading of 73 degrees.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

Many cities in the eastern U.S. reported new record high temperatures for the date, including Richmond, VA with 73°, Baltimore, MD with 71°, Dulles Airport at Sterling, VA with 71 °F: with 70 °F and Wilmington, DE: tied with 65 °F.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

Maximum temperature for Washington, DC for the date is 70 °F
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1989
While arctic cold continued to invade the central United States, fifty-four cities in the south central and eastern United States reported new record high temperatures for the date. Russell KS, the hot spot in the nation with a high of 84 degrees the previous day, reported a morning low of 12 above. Tioga, ND reported a wind chill reading of 90 degrees below zero.
(The National Weather Summary)

1990
Thunderstorms associated with an upper level weather disturbance produced severe weather across the eastern half of Texas during the late afternoon and evening. Four persons were injured at Waco, TX where thunderstorms produced wind gusts to 80 mph. Thunderstorms produced wind gusts to 97 mph at Cotulla, TX injuring two other persons. Golf ball size hail was reported at Whitney and northeast of Whitsett.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1996
Arctic outbreak pushes sub-zero cold from Washington State to East Coast. Duluth, MN -39°, International Falls -45°, Des Moines, IA -26°, La Crosse, WI -36°, Spokane, WA -24° were all February records. All time lows at Glasgow, MT -38°, Tower, MT ties the all time state record low at -60°.
(Bob Ryan's 2002 Almanac)
(Ref. Wilson More Information)

2002
A very large storm moved across the Great Lakes and lifted northeast to the St. Lawrence Valley. Dealing with the aftermath of this same system residents across the Ohio Valley had an ice storm for several days across parts of Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. Totals were a half to one inch thick downing trees and power lines. Around one million people were left without power across the three states.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2003
NEXRAD radars across Texas and Louisiana captured the tragic images of the debris field from the Space Shuttle Columbia which disintegrated as it re-entered the atmosphere over Texas. Debris fell over a huge area, possibly from California to the Gulf of Mexico. Some of the densest debris fall was reported in the town of Nacogdoches, in eastern Texas.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2011
Chicago IL - Feb. 1st and 2nd : Blizzard only started on the 1st
Chicago receives a 20.2 inch snowfall in the blizzard of 2011 making it the third worst storm since snow records began in 1886 in Chicago (125 years).
(See Feb. 2, 2011 for much additional information.)

2014

TOP 10 U.S. Weather Events 2014
Cold, Snow, and Ice: January 28—February 3. A southern low pressure system spread snow and ice across the South on January 28, leading to massive traffic gridlock in Atlanta, Georgia, and Birmingham, Alabama. A separate system to the north then spread snow from the Central states to the Northeast, dumping six inches or more where 33 million people live.
Ref. (Weatherwise MAY- JUNE 2015, page 14)

2015
The final numbers are in: The Super Bowl Blizzard is officially Chicago’s 5th largest snowstorm. After further review and the addition of the storm’s last flakes that fell early Monday morning, the final numbers for the historic Super Bowl Blizzard are in. It is interesting to note that this storm fell exactly four years to the days after the city’s 2011 Groundhog Day Blizzard. Chicago’s airport storm totals - O’Hare Airport 19.3 inches (official - Midway Airport 19.2 inches (Frank Wachowski) The addition snowfall that fell late Sunday and early Monday morning now makes this storm the city’s 5th heaviest snowstorm.
The Super Bowl Blizzard (Ref.By STEVE KAHN )
The Super Bowl Blizzard Chicago Digging Out - Picture
Boston's 2015 Snow Blitz-How Did it Compare? (Ref.Weatherwise-Sep/Oct2015-Vol 68/ number 5


FEBRUARY   Groundhog Day  
2ND

Happy Groundhog day - A 30 year check by Bob Ryan 1953-'83 showed a reverse relation.
If he saw his shadow - 14 yrs. with warm and early springs, & 2 yrs. with cold and late springs.
No shadow was seen - 16 yrs. with cold and late springs.
Eight years were in question.
(Ref. Washington a 30 Year Check by Bob Ryan from 1953 - 1983)

1789
Extreme cold occurred on Ground Hog Day. It dropped to -28° at Hartford, CT and -18° near Philadelphia, PA.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1898
The naming of hurricane after women was always the center of controversy. In the Southern Hemisphere near Australia, tropical cyclones were once called Willy-Willies. An Australian Meteorologist, Clement Wragge is credited for giving girls names to tropical cyclones by the end of the 19th Century. On this date, Wragge's weather journal showed a Willy-Willy named "Eline".
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1904
Minimum temperature for Washington, DC for the date is +2 °F.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1916
Seattle, Washington on February 1st & 2nd:
Seattle is buried under 21.5 inches of snow, its greatest 24-hour snowfall on the first. A total of 32.5 inches of wet snow accumulates over three days. Seattle cathedral dome collapses under weight.
(Ref. WxDoctor)

1944
Maximum temperature for Washington, DC for the date is 72 °F.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1947
The lowest temperature recorded on the North American Continent occurred at Snag, Yukon Territory with a reading -81°.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)
(Ref. Very Complete Write up on This Event)

1951
A strong arctic cold front moved through the upper Plains and Midwest. Temperatures at Alma, WI fell from a high temperature of 41 to -12° by the end of the day. This 53 degree difference between the high and low temperature tied 3/22/1951 for Alma's greatest diurnal temperature change.
The brutal morning low of -35° at Greensburg, IN was Indiana’s coldest reading until 1994. South Bend, IN reported a daily record low of -17°.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1952
The only tropical storm of record to hit the United States in February moved out of the Gulf of Mexico and across southern Florida. It produced 60 mph winds, and two to four inches of rain. (2nd-3rd)
(The Weather Channel)

1955
A massive black blizzard, a snowstorm combined with black dust and dirt churned from the earth by strong winds, struck the Southwest and Plains.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1956
A record snowstorm in New Mexico and west Texas began on Ground Hog's Day. The storm produced 15 inches of snow at Roswell, NM, and up to 33 inches in the Texas Panhandle.
(David Ludlum)

1960
Heavy icing from freezing rain accumulations through the 3rd occurred mainly across the eastern half of New York. Severe damage to power lines and telephone service occurred in the Watertown and Wessington Springs area. Ice coatings of up to 3 inches thick and having an estimated weight of 9 pounds per foot of wire formed around telephone and some power lines over a wide area of the eastern counties. A 300 foot tower high collapsed at Wessington Springs and in some areas utility wires were completely down for stretches of 2 to 3 miles. Some 170 long distance telephone circuits were knocked out in larger cities and 19 towns from Bonesteel south to Watertown on north were completely without telephone service for two to three days after the storm. Many highways were treacherous and numerous vehicles collided or slid off the road into the ditch.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1961
Extreme cold hits Frederick, MD -11°, Unionville, MD -16°, Emmitsburg, PA -12°
(Bob Ryan's 2002 Almanac)

1976
A quick moving but extremely intense coastal storm struck New England. Wind gusts exceeded 115 mph at Bear Island and Southwest Harbor, ME. Chatham, MA recorded a wind gust to 98 mph. Caribou, ME set a new all-time record low pressure of 957 millibars or 28.26 inches of mercury and Boston, MA recorded their second lowest pressure ever at 965 millibars or 28.48 inches mercury up to this time. Tides 3 to 5 feet above normal caused extensive coastal flooding. Parts of Bangor, ME were under 12 feet of water as a storm surge funneled up the Penobscot River to the mouth of the Kenduskeag Stream which in turn inundated Bangor in a matter of 15 minutes. A 40 to 50 degree temperature drop followed a sharp cold front with blizzard conditions occurring over interior sections of New England for a few hours. 13 inches of snow fell at Danforth, ME. Saint John, New Brunswick Canada and the area around the Bay of Fundy reported wind gusts to 118 mph and wave heights up to 39 feet with swells to 32.5 feet.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1985
Up to 9 inches of sleet, freezing rain and snow paralyzed North Alabama. It was the worst winter storm since 1963 across Northwest Alabama. Travel was impossible north of Birmingham. Four people died.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1987
A fast moving arctic front brought snow and high winds to the north central United States Winds gusted to 69 mph at Brookings, SD. Big Falls MN reported nine inches of snow. Record warmth was reported just ahead of the front. Burlington IA reported a record high of 59 degrees.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1988
A dying low-pressure system over southern California deluged the San Diego coastal mountains with more than four inches of rain causing half a million dollars damage. Arctic air invading the north central United States sent the mercury plunging to 38 degrees below zero at Park Rapids MN. Raleigh NC reported a record high of 75 degrees.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1989
Bitter cold air covered much of the central U.S. Butte MT reported a wind chill reading of 91 degrees below zero, Salt Lake City UT was blanketed with 11.9 inches of snow in 24 hours, and winds around Reno NV gusted to 80 mph. Bitter cold air covered areas from the Yukon Territory in Canada south across much of the central U.S. Dawson, Yukon Territory reported the highest sea-level pressure ever recorded in Canada at 31.88 inches of mercury.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)
Unseasonably warm weather continued in the southeastern United States Twenty-eight cities reported record high temperatures for the date, including Wilmington NC with a reading of 80 degrees.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1990
Thunderstorms developing ahead of a cold front produced severe weather in the Lower Mississippi Valley during the late afternoon and evening hours. One person was injured in a tornado near Reidheimer, LA. Thunderstorms northeast of Brandon MS produced hail three inches in diameter along with high winds that downed or snapped off one hundred trees.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1996
An Arctic outbreak that lasted from late January through early February produced nearly 400 hundred record lows, 15 all-time low readings and over 50 new record lows for the month of February. Four states recorded their all-time record low temperatures including Tower, MN on this date with a reading of -60 °F, canceling Tower's annual Icebox Days festival because it is too cold. Locations that reported their all-time record low or tied included: Cresco, IA: -36°, Osage, IA: -34°, Charles City, IA tied their all-time record low with -32° and Lancaster, WI tied their all-time record low with -31°. International Falls, MN and Glasgow, MT set records for the month of February with -45° and -38°, respectively. The temperature at Embarrass, MN plummeted to -53°. Rochester, MN dipped to -34° for its coldest temperature in 45 years. Green Bay, WI only reached -16° for the high temperature for the day, their coldest high temperature on record in February. The place to be this day was in Orlando, FL where it was a balmy 85°.
Meanwhile, farther to the east, heavy snow blanketed the Mid Atlantic region. 18 inches of snow fell at Rehoboth Beach, DE and 17 inches fell at Solomon Island, MD. Charleston, WV recorded 6.8 inches of snow for the day to bring their seasonal snowfall to 80.7 inches, the city's snowiest winter ever, and it was only early February. Up to two feet of snow fell across Middle Tennessee.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)
The temperature in Tower, Minnesota plunged to -60° below zero, a new record for the state.
(Extreme Weather p. 54, by Christopher C. Burt)

2006
New Orleans, Louisiana:
As if the devastation of Katrina 2005 was not enough, New Orleans is struck by two tornadoes, collapsing at least one previously damaged house and battering Louis Armstrong International Airport.
Seattle is buried under 21.5 inches of snow, its greatest 24-hour snowfall that started on Feb. 1st.
(Ref. WxDoctor)

2007
On this date through the 12th, a tremendous lake effect snow event was just starting across western New York. Some storm snowfall totals off Lake Erie: East Aurora: 42 inches; Orchard Park: 36 inches; Boston: 26 inches; Warsaw: 24 inches; Dunkirk: 18 inches; and West Seneca: 12 inches. Snowfall totals off Lake Ontario: Redfield: 141 inches; Parish: 121 inches; North Osceola and Mexico: 106 inches; Oswego: 84 inches; and Watertown: 26 inches. The Governor of New York declared Oswego and Lewis counties Disaster Areas. President Bush declared a Federal Snow Emergency for these areas. The weight of the snow on buildings posed an added danger with several reports of collapsed buildings.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2011
Chicago IL - Feb. 1st and 2nd :
Chicago receives a 20.2 inch snowfall in the blizzard of 2011 making it the third worst storm since snow records began in 1886 in Chicago (125 years). Tom Skilling, veteran meteorologist of WGN-TV in Chicago who experienced the 1967, 1979, and 1999 record snowstorms for Chicago was being interviewed by Jim Catore today. Tom Skilling said that while the 2011 storm of 20.2 inches falls a few inches short of the all-time record, that the amazing winds of this blizzard made this the worst snowstorm he has seen in the area.
(Ref. Chicago Blizzard Nearly the Worst on Record)
(Ref. Snowfall Totals and Snow Depth Map)
Video by J.L.K. of the Blizzard taken about 2000 hours on the 1st.
MSNBC Video of Jim Cantore and 70 MPH winds
The National Weather Service Summary of the "Snowcane"
Ref. (NWS Ranking for Storms between 1956 and 2011) This is the 19th Worst Snowstorm
NWS - Snowfall Total Now Recorded as 21.2 inches for Chicago Blizzard
Chicago Firehouse 10 Blizzard Rescues

2015

The final numbers are in: The Super Bowl Blizzard is officially Chicago’s 5th largest snowstorm.
After no measureable snow in December for only the 3rd time on record, Chicago is now looking to have an above average snow season.
February 1, 2015 had the most snowfall in a calendar day in February EVER with 16.2 inches.
This was more than February 1, 2011 which only had 13.6 inches!
Oak Park,Illinois ended up with about 18 inches in but the drifting was like nothing I had seen even last winter.
Very impressive winds that took all the snow from the many houses and buildings around and placed it on the ground for exaggerated accumulations of around 2 feet just about everywhere in the alley.
Doors had to push snow that was drifted over the base of our doors on more than one occasion.
The alley was snowed in until Monday evening Feruary 2nd when a front-end tractor loader came through.
Last weekend February 7th & 8th was warm with temperatures in the low 40s and dewpoints above freezing with sunshine on Saturday so we lost 10 inches due to melting.
The full story about the Blizzard.(Ref.NWS)
The Super Bowl Blizzard Statistics(Ref.NWS) Comparing the Top 5 snowstorm in Chicago history --
The Super Bowl Blizzard (Ref.NWS)
The snowfall totals through Feb 2 in Boston, MA
Totals in Boston, MA (Ref.NWS)
Boston's 2015 Snow Blitz-How Did it Compare? (Ref.Weatherwise-Sep/Oct2015-Vol 68/ number 5

FEBRUARY
3RD


1803
Winston Salem, North Carolina:
The region is hit by 20 inches of snow.
(Ref. WxDoctor)

1844
Boston Harbor was so thick with ice on this date that a channel had to be cut through the ice for a ship to leave with 30,000 letters for England.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1895
Low temperature for Washington, DC was 0°F for the date.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1917
Locations that reported daily record lows included: Atlanta, GA: 2°, Roanoke, VA: 2°, Lynchburg, VA: 3°, Richmond, VA: 6°, Raleigh, NC: 9°, Norfolk, VA: 9°, Montgomery, AL: 10°, Wilmington, NC: 13°, Savannah, GA: 13°, Pensacola, FL: 17°, Mobile, AL: 19°, Tampa, FL: 26 °F.
(Ref. Wilson - Additional Temperatures Listed On This Link)

Downtown Miami FL reported an all-time record low of 27 degrees.
(David Ludlum)

1920
February third to the fifth of the month Washington, DC received 61 hours of sleet that totaled 5.0 inches. (Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

February third to the fifth of the month Richmond, VA had 4.78 inches of liquid equivalent and 1.5 inches of frozen precipitation. February of 1920 in Richmond, Virginia (as of 2010) is the wettest February on record with 6.67 inches.
(Ref. Richmond Weather Records - KRIC)

1927
Maximum temperature for Washington, DC for the date 65°F
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1936
Boston, MA reported their longest stretch with low temperatures of 10° or lower at noon, from 1-23-1936 to 2-3-1936.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1947
The temperature at Tanacross, AK plunged to a minimum 75 degrees below zero.
(David Ludlum)

Gulkana, AK set an all-time record low with -65°. McGrath and Fairbanks reported February record lows with -64 °F and -58 °F respectively. Locations that reported daily record lows included: King Salmon, AK: -32°, Homer, AK: -16°, Juneau, AK: -10 °F and Cold Bay, AK: -7°. The temperature dropped to -81° at Snag, Northwest Territories Canada, North America's lowest recorded official temperature, capping a week of intense cold in the Yukon.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

Coldest recorded Canadian temperature is -81° at Snag, Yukon Territory
(Ref. Much Additional Information About This Extreme Record)
(Bob Ryan's 2002 Almanac)

1952
South Florida on February 2nd & 3rd:
South Florida: South Florida hit by the only tropical storm of record, known as the Groundhog Day Storm to hit the U.S. in February. Storm moves out of the Gulf of Mexico with 60 mph winds and two to four inches of rain.
(Ref. WxDoctor)

1961
On this date through the 5th, a large part of the Northeast and New England were reeling under their third great snowstorm of the winter. The Blizzard dumped 17.4 inches of snow on New York City, NY. Gale force winds blew the snow into 10 foot drifts that blocked city streets. Automobile travel was banned in New York City, NY for almost a week. Snowfall totals in other locations ranged from 10 to 24 inches in parts of Pennsylvania and 12 to 27 inches in parts of New Jersey. States of emergencies were declared. 73 people died as a result of the storm. Baltimore, MD set a record low with 4°.
Ref. (NWS Ranking for Storms between 1956 and 2011) This is the 5th Worst Snowstorm (Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

Snowstorm dumped 16 inches of snow on Frederick, MD
(Bob Ryan's 2002 Almanac)

Cold & windy snow, hit like a blizzard with severe cold and gale force winds. Eight inches fell in Washington, DC and 2 to 13 inches across Virginia with as much as 36 inches in New York. There four fatalities in Virginia.
(Ref. Virginia Weather History)

1963
High pressure across the Great Basin brought record heat to parts of the West. February's record maximum temperature in the United States was set as Montezuma, AZ soared to 105°. Los Angeles (LAX), CA set their February record high with 92 °F.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1986
A 5-day ice storm of freezing drizzle and fog through the 5th caused ice to accumulate 5 to 8 inches thick across central North Dakota. Many people were left without power. The ice in Wisconsin felled millions of trees.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1987
Wintry weather was confined to freezing drizzle and light snow in the northeastern United States, and light rain and snow in the western United States
(The National Weather Summary)

1988
Arctic air continued to invade the central United States. The temperature at Midland TX plunged from a record high of 80 degrees to 37 degrees in just three hours. Morning lows in the higher elevations of Wyoming were as cold as 38 degrees below zero. Heavy snow blanketed southwestern Colorado, with 16 inches reported at Steamboat Springs.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1989
A winter storm brought heavy snow and high winds to the western United States. Up to three feet of snow blanketed the Sierra Nevada of California, and buried parts of northeastern Washington State under three feet of snow in five days. High winds across Washington State reached 75 mph, with gusts to 105 mph.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1990
Thunderstorms developing ahead of a cold front produced severe weather over the central Gulf coast states during the afternoon and evening hours. Thunderstorms spawned seven tornadoes in Alabama, including one that went down north of Birmingham injuring fifteen people and causing nearly three million dollars damage. A tornado at Margaret injured eleven persons and caused a million dollars damage.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1996
February second and third Annandale Weather Center recorded 9.3 inches of snow in two snows in 24 hrs.
(Ref. Annandale Weather Records)

The temperature in Iowa plunged to 47° below zero, a record for the state Feb. 2 - 3 A continuing series of Alberta clippers followed by strong Nor'easters struck the Commonwealth. The storm on February 2-3 dropped one to two feet of snow from to Charlottesville, Fredericksburg and across the Northern Neck. To the north of the heavy snow band fell 6 to 10 inches of snow and to the south of the band was a significant ice storm. Some counties along the North Carolina border saw about half of its population lose power. The ice caused about a half million dollars in damage and caused widespread disruptions in the Hampton Roads area.
(Ref. Virginia Weather History)

1997
Centralia, Washington State:
Centralia sets the state record for consecutive days of precipitation at 55 between 10 November 1996 and 3 February 1997.
(Ref. WxDoctor)

1999
It was a dangerous job for both the rescued and rescuer. The Northern Aurora (12 men on board) capsized in high seas/freezing spray in AK’s Resurrection Bay. The Coast Guard rescued 1. USGC report noted N winds to 58 mph, seas to 8 feet, heavy fog, and wind chills to -65 degrees.
(Ref. Weather Guide Calendar with Phenomenal Weather Events 2011 Accord Pub. 2010, USA)

2006
Lubbock, TX recorded their first measurable rain, 0.03 inches, in 98 days, ending their longest period on record without measurable precipitation.
The temperature plunged to record low of -56° at Point Lay, AK. Kodiak, AK reported a record low of -8°.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2007
Northern New York from February 3rd to the 12th:
A 10-day stretch of intense lake-effect squalls finally ends for communities along eastern Lake Ontario, leaving behind from 7 to 12 feet of snow. In Oswego County, Redfield's unofficial total of 141 inches since 3 February sets a state record for snowfall from a "single event," according to the National Weather Service. Final snowfall totals include: 121 inches in Parish and 106 inches in Mexico, both in Oswego County, and 106 inches in Osceola in neighboring Lewis County. The city of Oswego receives 85 inches. President Bush declared a Federal Snow Emergency for these areas. The weight of the snow on buildings posed an added danger with several reports of collapsed buildings. Further west, blizzard conditions prevailed across southwest Lower Michigan as an arctic blast of frigid air moving over Lake Michigan produced thundersnow and whiteout conditions. Grand Rapids sets a record for snowfall for any February day with 11.3 inches.
(Ref. WxDoctor)
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2015
The storm has delivered 12-18 inches of snow from Chicago to Detroit and ranks as some of the biggest snowstorms on record in these cities.
The strengthening storm is packing plenty of moisture from the Pacific Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.
The result has been a swath of heavy snow from the Midwest to southern New England thus far.
Heavy snow will spread into part of northern New England into Monday afternoon.
Accumulations along the lines of 6 to 12 inches are expected from eastern upstate
New York, to Boston with some areas picking up an additional 18 inches in part of New England.
Second storm to hit New England -(Ref.Accu-weather)
Internet comments about the Storm and the North East -(Ref.Accu-weather)
Boston's 2015 Snow Blitz-How Did it Compare? (Ref.Weatherwise-Sep/Oct2015-Vol 68/ number 5

FEBRUARY
4TH


1824
The sea-level pressure fell to 924 millibars or 27.28 inches of mercury at Reykjavik, Iceland, the lowest observed pressure on land in the North Atlantic.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1886
Washington, DC from the 2nd to the 4th: Heavy snow of 12.4 inches fell over the DC. area.
(NWS - Sterling Office - Table of the "Biggest Snowstorms on Record")

1893
Calgary, Alberta Canada's coldest day saw the temperature drop to -49°.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1956
Plainview, TX recorded the states greatest 24-hour snowfall total with 25 inches.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1961
The third great snowstorm of the winter season struck the northeastern United States Cortland, NY received 40 inches of snow.
(David Ludlum)
Ref. (NWS Ranking for Storms between 1956 and 2011) This is the 5th Worst Snowstorm
(Ref. Wilson - Additional Information)

1964
A great blizzard was in progress across the Texas Panhandle. This blizzard, which began on the 2nd and ended on the 5th, dumped 26 inches of snow at Borger, 23.8 inches at Miami, and 23.5 inches at Claude.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1984
On this day through the 5th, a fast moving blizzard was racing across northeast, east central South Dakota and most of Iowa with bouts of heavy snow and high winds. Snow amounts were generally less than two inches with the storm. However, as the cold front tore across the area temperatures plunged by as much as 30 degrees in three hours and winds gusted to 70 mph. Another 2 to 3 inches fell before the event was over. Gusty winds struck quickly, plummeting visibilities to near zero in blowing snow and making travel very difficult in a matter of minutes with dangerous wind chills. Hundreds of travelers became stranded in the white-out conditions.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1987
Gales lashed the northern Pacific coast and the coast of northern New England. A storm in the central United States produced five inches of snow at Rapid City SD.
(The National Weather Summary)

1988
A winter storm produced heavy snow from the Upper Ohio Valley to New England, with up to 12 inches reported in Vermont and New Hampshire. Strong northerly winds in the Upper Midwest produced wind chill readings as cold as 60 degrees below zero.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1989
Many cities in the south central and northwestern U.S. reported new record low temperatures for the date including: Great Falls, MT: -33°, Helena, MT: -33°, Duluth, MN: -29°, Denver, CO: -24°, Missoula, MT: -23°, Billings, MT: -22°, Rapid City, SD: -21°, Elko, NV: -19°, Colorado Springs, CO: -15°, Boise, ID: -14°, Pendleton, OR: -13°, Clayton, NM: -8 °F.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. Additional Temperatures Listed)

A winter storm continued in the southwestern United States Alta, UT reported 49 inches of snow in four days. Wolf Creek CO reported 66 inches in six days, including 28 inches in 24 hours, and up to 84 inches buried the ski resorts of northern New Mexico in three days.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1990
A winter storm produced heavy snow in the northeastern United States Snowfall totals in Maine ranged up to 13 inches at Gorham, with 11 inches reported at Portland. Totals in New Hampshire ranged up to 14 inches at Franconia, with 13 inches reported at Portsmouth. A mixture of snow, sleet and freezing rain caused numerous traffic accidents in eastern New York State resulting in three deaths and fourteen injuries. Subzero cold also gripped parts of the northeastern United States Caribou ME and Houlton, ME reported morning lows of 15 degrees below zero.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1991
92 record highs in 22 states over the eastern US in two day heat wave - New York 68°, BWI 72°, DCA 70°, Richmond 72°.
(Bob Ryan's 2002 Almanac)
(Ref. Wilson Wx. Many Additional Temperatures Listed)

1995
A huge nor'easter pounded areas from the southern Mid-Atlantic to northern New England. It would be the only significant storm in the 94-95 winter season. Over 20 inches of snow buried parts of upstate New York. Wind chills dropped as cold as -40°. Behind the storm, arctic air crossing the relatively warm waters of the Great Lakes produced intense lake effect squalls for nearly two weeks from the 4th through the 14th. Downwind of Lake Ontario, storm totals included: Oswego County: Palermo: 85 inches, Fulton: 60 inches, and Oswego: 46 inches.
(Ref. Wilson - Additional Information)
Ref. (NWS Ranking for Storms between 1956 and 2011) This is the 42nd Worst Snowstorm

1996
Couderay, Wisconsin:
The coldest temperature ever recorded east of the Mississippi River: -55 °F.
(Ref. WxDoctor)
(Ref. Wilson - Much Additional Information)

1997
Junction, TX set a record low for date of 9°. Not unusual, except for the fact they would set their record high on the 22nd with 98 °F.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2004
Pinson, AL recorded their all-time record 24-hour rainfall total as 7.15 inches fell.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2011
On February 3rd and 4th 2 to 5 inches of snow fell over much of Dallas, Fort Worth Texas area. This was on top of 1 inch of snow and ice that was already on the ground. Patches of snow slid off of the curved roof of the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas today injuring six people, one critically on the ground below.
(Ref. Weather Guide Calendar with Phenomenal Weather Events 2012 Accord Pub. 2011, USA)

FEBRUARY
5TH


1774
Today is National Weatherman/Meteorologist day commemorating the birth of John Jeffries in 1744. Jeffries, one of America's first weather observers, began taking daily weather observations in Boston, MA in 1774 and he took the first balloon observation in 1784.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1836
One of the coldest mornings of the Great Cold Winter of 1836. It was too cold for mercury thermometers! Moses Eames put some mercury in a dish and watched it congeal almost immediately. ( The Freezing point of Mercury is Fahrenheit = - 37.89 °F)
(Ref. Early American Winters Vol. II 1821-1870 by David M. Ludlum p. 26)

1887
San Francisco experienced its greatest snowstorm of record. Nearly four inches was reported in downtown San Francisco, and the western hills of the city received seven inches. Excited crowds went on a snowball-throwing rampage.
(David Ludlum)

1899
The beginning of the Blizzard of 1899, dubbed the "Snow King" when a fast moving low-pressure from Louisiana dumped between 5 and 6 inches of snow in the Washington, DC area.
(p. 51 Washington Weather Book 2002 by Ambrose, Henry, Weiss)

1918
The minimum temperature for the date is -2 °F in Washington, DC.
(Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1920
An intense nor'easter dumped 17.5 inches of snow on New York City, NY. The storm was accompanied by extremely high tides from strong northeast winds and a full moon. Many structures along the shore on Coney Island, Manhattan Beach and Brighton Beach, NY were destroyed by the waves. Flamethrowers were used to clear the huge snow banks on city streets.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1963
Surface high pressure across the southern Rockies and an upper level ridge brought spring-like temperatures from parts of the Midwest to the West Coast. Colorado Springs, CO set a February record high with 76°. This broke their previous record by 13 degrees. Other locations that reported daily record highs for the date included: Palm Springs, CA: 92°, Yuma, AZ: 90°, Riverside, CA: 87°, Phoenix, AZ: 87°, Tucson, AZ: 85°, Long Beach, CA: 85°, San Diego, CA: 80°, Los Angeles (LAX), CA: 79°-Tied, Pueblo, CO: 77°, Dodge City, KS: 76°, Denver, CO: 76° (broke previous record by 10 degrees).
(Ref. Wilson - Additional Temperatures Listed On This Link)

1964
On the 3rd-5th the second worst snowstorm in Texas Panhandle history left 26 inches on Borger (snow's weight collapsed several buildings). All highways north of Amarillo, Texas closed some for three days. Approximately 200 cattle seeking shelter from the wind and snow were killed by locomotives in railroad cuts.
(Weather Guide Calendar with Phenomenal Weather Events 2007 Accord Publishing, USA)

1986
A supercell thunderstorm tracked through the Tomball area northwest of Houston, TX and produced four tornadoes along with damaging microburst winds and up to >U>tennis ball size hail. An F3 tornado killed two people, injured 80 others and devastated a mobile home park and the David Wayne Hooks Airport. 300 aircraft were either damaged or destroyed. Much of the larger hail was propelled by 60 to 80 mph winds, resulting in widespread moderate damage. Total damage from this storm was $80 million dollars.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1987
Thunderstorms in the Southern Plains Region caused flooding in parts of south central Texas. Del Rio TX was soaked with two inches of rain in two hours prior to sunrise.
(The National Weather Summary)

1988
Cold and snow invaded the southern United States Roswell NM was buried under 16.5 inches of snow in 24 hours, an all-time record for that location. Parts of the Central Gulf Coast Region reported their first significant snow in fifteen years. Strong winds in Minnesota and the Dakotas produced wind chill readings as cold as 75 degrees below zero.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1989
Severe cold gripped much of the nation. Thirty cities reported new record low temperatures for the date. Morning lows of 9 above at Astoria OR and 27 below zero at Ely NV were records for February. In Alaska, Point Barrow warmed to 24 degrees above zero, and Nome reached 30 degrees.
(The National Weather Summary)
(Ref. Wilson - Additional Temperatures Listed On This Link)

1990
For the second time in two days, and the third time in a week, high winds plagued the northwestern United States. Winds in Oregon gusted to 60 mph at Cape Disappointment, and wind gusts in Washington State reached 67 mph at Bellingham. The first in a series of cold fronts began to produce heavy snow in the mountains of Washington and Oregon. Ten inches of snow fell at Timberline OR.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1991
The maximum temperature for the date is 70 °F in Washington, DC
(Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1996
Arctic cold hits SE Raleigh, NC 0°, Elkins, WV -22°, Jackson, KY -8°, Tri-Cities, TN -15°, Lynchburg, VA -10°, New Orleans, LA 16°, Meridian, MI 8° are all Feb records.
(Bob Ryan's 2002 Almanac)

Greene, Rhode Island: The coldest temperature ever recorded in Rhode Island -25 °F.
(Ref. WxDoctor)

Following the fresh snow and ice came a cold wave from the 3rd through the 5th, with many areas dropping below zero. On the 5th, several places set new records. Lynchburg set a new all-time record low temperature reaching -10° F and Burkes Garden recorded -22° F, which is one of the coldest temperatures ever recorded in Virginia.
(Ref. Virginia Weather History)
(Ref. Wilson - Additional Temperatures Listed On This Link)

1997
High winds pushed mountains of ice against the northern shore of Lake Erie crushing several houses and cottages at Colchester, Ontario Canada.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1998
Annandale-Barcroft Hills had 2.31 inches rain from a nor'easter and a total of 3.06 on 4-5th
(Ref. Annandale Weather Records)

Then came the February Nor'easter. Its slow movement and gale force winds pushed the tide to 7.0 feet above Mean Lower Low Water at Norfolk, which resulted in moderate to severe flooding. The entire town of Chincoteague on the Eastern Shore was under water. Willoughby Spit was the hardest hit area in Norfolk and homes in Sandbridge and Chick's Beach were severely damaged in Virginia Beach.
(Ref. Virginia Weather History)

Louisville, KY was in the middle of a three day snowstorm where 22.4 inches of snow fell on the city, their greatest snowstorm ever. The same record was set at Cincinnati, OH where 18.3 inches fell.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2001
A snowstorm hit parts of the Mid-Atlantic from Delaware, extreme eastern Maryland, Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Accumulations varied greatly from 1 to 3 inches south and east of Philadelphia to over 18 inches in parts of northwestern New Jersey.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)
Heavy wet snow fell on New Jersey with up to 20 inches in Belvidere, New Jersey. A jackknifed semi near Clinton caused a 50 mile backup on Interstate 78. Some drivers were stuck for 9 hours, many vehicles ran out of gas. There were at least 1000 accidents (vehicular, falls, and from snow blowers). There were 45,000 homes and businesses without power.
(Ref. Weather Guide Calendar with Phenomenal Weather Events 2012 Accord Pub. 2011, USA)


2008
Super Tuesday tornado outbreak (Midwest and South) on February 5, 2008. The parent storms were sparked by a potent upper-level trough. Some of the worst damage was near Nashville and Memphis and in star-crossed Jackson, Tennessee, which endured its third major tornado strike following hits in 1999 and 2003. Students at Union University dove for cover as dormitories were heavily damaged, but nobody died on campus. All told, though, the tornadoes took 57 lives, making this the deadliest U.S. tornado outbreak since 1985.
(Washington Post "Top Ten Weather Events of 2008")

2007
Winnipeg Manitoba Canada's temperature plummeted to -44°, the city's coldest day in 31 years. Wind chill values drop below -50°. Godthab, Greenland's temperature soared to 45°.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2008
On this date lasting into the early morning hours of the next day, an outbreak of 87 tornadoes occurred across 9 states in the mid-south, causing 58 fatalities. This was the deadliest U.S. tornado outbreak since 1985 and the second deadliest since 1950. The parent storms were sparked by a potent upper-level trough. Some of the worst damage was near Nashville and Memphis and in star-crossed Jackson, TN, which endured its third major tornado strike following hits in 1999 and 2003. Students at Union University dove for cover as dormitories were heavily damaged, but nobody died on campus. The longest tornado tracked for 123 miles across north-central Arkansas. Five violent tornadoes ranked as EF4 on the enhanced Fujita scale occurred during this event. This event has become known as Super Tuesday and the worst storm affecting the Jackson, MS service area produced several weak tornadoes across extreme southeast Arkansas and northwest Mississippi, but it also produced hail between baseball and softball size which damaged many vehicles.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

Close call! Thunderstorm downburst winds to 80 mph buckled much of the sheathing of the expansion roof over the gymnasium and library of South Central HS in Farina, IL. A basketball game was being played at the time, but no injuries occurred.
(Ref. Weather Guide Calendar with Phenomenal Weather Events 2011 Accord Pub. 2010, USA)


2010
"Snowmageddon” on 5th-6th
This storm started at 0820 on the 5th and ended around 1700 of the 6th and some flurries until 1730 about a 33 hour storm. Much of the precipitation in the form of rain fell from 1800 of the 5th to about 0230 of the 6th and of the 2.50 inches only around 1.10 inches fell in the form of snow in western Henrico Co., VA. The snow turned to rain as the deepening low pressure was not far enough off in the Atlantic and also there was also a secondary low pressure to the west of the area. There was about 3.5 inches of old snow on the ground when this storm started but after passing the Glen Allen area the colder air on the back side of the storm turned the rain back into snow. The total snowfall on Feb. 5th in West Henrico Co. Glen Allen VA. area was 4.5 inches and total precipitation from snow and rainfall was 1.72 inches until midnight. The total precipitation at Richmond International Airport for February 5th was 1.40 inches which is a new 113 record for the date; the old record was only 0.88 inches in 1960. But this storm gave all snow to our north over Northern VA and MD; see the Feb. 6, 2010 entry.
(Ref. West Henrico Co. - Glen Allen VA. Weather Records )
Other links--
Click here for a time lapse of first half of the storm that ended in rain in Glen Allen.
Radar Composite for 5th and 6th
Weatherwise - The Snowstorms of the Mid-Atlantic 2009-10 (Large Doc. Give It Time to Load)
Ref. (NWS Ranking for Storms between 1956 and 2011) This is the 24th Worst Snowstorm

2014
Chicago has now had their 8th snowest winter!! Posted on Feb 05 2014 - 2:05 pm by stevekahnwgntv The season’s latest snowfall has officially totaled 7.0 inches at O’Hare and 7.4 inches at Midway bringing the season’s snowfall totals to O’Hare Airport 59.6 inches City’s official total Midway airport 62.9 inches Even if no more snow were to fall the rest of this snow season , the winter of 2013-14 already ranks as the city’s 8th snowiest on record.
(Ref.WGN-tv By Meteorologist Tom Skilling)

Ice and snowstorm hits PA Maryland officials reported 500 outages. More than 1 million customers lost power at the storm's peak for more information see the Feb. 7th.
(PA Ice Storm)

FEBRUARY
6TH


1807
It was the famous Cold Friday in the Midwest and South. The temperature did not rise above zero in Ohio and Kentucky.
(David Ludlum)

1828
Plum trees blossomed in South Carolina six weeks early as the south was enjoying one of their warmest winters on record. Weather patterns would change however by late March. An inch of ice would form on the St. John's River. The Six-Mile Creek in northern Florida recorded a temperature of 26 °F.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1835
A snowstorm dumped 6 inches in Williamsburg and as much as 20 inches at Virginia Beach. Over a foot of snow fell in Norfolk.
(Ref. Virginia Weather History)

1856
Oswego, New York:
A rare February lake effect snowfall buries the Oswego area with 6 feet of snow.
(Ref. WxDoctor)

1899
A second area of low pressure moved in to DC from the south and dumped an additional 2 to 3 inches of snow bringing the snow cover in DC up to 8 inches.
(p. 51 Washington Weather Book 2002 by Ambrose, Henry, Weiss)

1933
The temperature fell to -90° at Oimaykon, Russia, the coldest temperature ever in Asia.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1975
Boston, MA recorded 27 inches of snow in the greatest snowstorm in New England's modern history. Traffic was at a standstill for five days. Motorists had to abandon their cars and take shelter with private citizens and in churches. The Boston Globe went undelivered for the first time in 106 years.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1978
A massive nor'easter buried the cities of the northeastern United States Storm totals included 18 inches at New York City, 16 inches at Philadelphia, and 14 inches at Baltimore. The Boston MA area received 25 to 30 inches in the Great New England Blizzard, and the mayor outlawed travel in the city for an entire week. 27.2 inches in Boston, 38 inches in Rhode Island.
(David Ludlum) (Bob Ryan's 2002 Almanac)
(Ref. Wilson - Additional Temperatures and Information Listed On This Link)
Ref. (NWS Ranking for Storms between 1956 and 2011) This is the 13th Worst Snowstorm

1980
Low pressure dumped heavy snow over eastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia. The storm moved out the next day and left 12.4 inches of snow at Norfolk, VA, their biggest snowstorm since December 1892. Elizabeth City, NC was buried under 20 inches.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1982
A deep upper level trough combined with arctic high pressure across the central Plains brought record low temperatures from the Midwest to the southern Plains including: St. Cloud, MN: -33°, Alamosa, CO: -25°, La Crosse, WI: -22°, Topeka, KS: -21°, Wichita, KS: -21° (broke previous record by 13 degrees), Rockford, IL: -20 °F.
(Ref. Wilson - Additional Temperatures Listed On This Link)

1987
Brownsville TX was deluged with seven inches of rain in just two hours, and flooding in some parts of the city was worse than that caused by Hurricane Beulah in 1967.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

Record warmth occurred across parts of the upper Midwest and Plains while Santa Ana winds hit San Diego County, California in to the next day. Gusts up to 75 mph were recorded at Cuyamaca and the Palomar Mountain areas. Locations from the upper Midwest to the West Coast that reported record highs for the date included: Downtown Los Angeles, CA: 86°, Los Angeles (LAX), CA: 84°, Long Beach, CA: 84°, Santa Maria, CA: 83°, Redding, CA: 76 °F.
(Ref. Wilson - Additional Temperatures and Information Listed On This Link)

1988
Arctic cold invaded the south central and eastern United States Sixteen cities reported new record low temperatures for the date. Squalls in the Great Lakes Region produced a foot of snow at Arcade NY in three hours.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
(Ref. Wilson - Additional Temperatures and Information Listed On This Link)

1989
Forty-one cities in the western United States reported new record low temperatures for the date. Lows of -30 degrees at Ely NV and -33 degrees at Richfield UT were all-time records. Morning lows of 31 degrees at San Francisco CA and -15 degrees at Reno NV were records for February. Logan Canyon UT was the cold spot in the nation with a low of 54 degrees below zero, and Craig CO hit 51 degrees below zero.
(The National Weather Summary)
(Ref. Wilson - Additional Temperatures and Information Listed On This Link)

1990
A second cold front brought more heavy snow to the high elevations of Oregon, with 12 inches reported at Sunset Summit. Ten inches of snow blanketed Crater Lake and Mount Bachelor. Heavy snow also blanketed northeastern Nevada and parts of Washington State. In Nevada, up to a foot of snow was reported between Spring Creek and Lamoille. Stevens Pass WA received 14 inches of snow in 24 hours.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)


2003
Feb. 6th-7th: Low pressure passing through North Carolina brought 3 to 8 inches of snow to the region. The heaviest amounts fell in a swath from Fredericksburg to Southern Anne Arundel County. An area of low pressure moved into central Illinois during the morning, continuing northeast into Indiana later that day. Thunder snow was reported from eastern Iowa into southern Wisconsin during the early morning, leading to 2 inch per hour snow accumulations rates. Some snow totals from this event include: Sinsinawa, WI: 18 inches, Hazel Green, WI: 14 inches, Cuba City, WI: 13 inches, Platteville, WI: 10.5 inches, Guttenberg, IA: 10 inches, Lancaster, WI: 8.7 inches, Elkader, IA: 8.4 inches, Strawberry Point, IA: 7.8 inches and Muscoda, WI: 7.5 inches. Near blizzard conditions occur across part of Lower Michigan with snowfall rates of one to two inches per hour. A wintry mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain occurred from Kalamazoo to Jackson, MI. The storm dropped more than 8 inches of snow at Grand Rapids, contributing to their snowiest February on record.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2010
The Feb. 5-6 snowstorm was rated a Category 3 ("Major") snowstorm based on NESIS (Northeast Snowfall Impact Scale) and hit Northern VA and particularly Maryland very hard with power outages and up to 3 feet of snow in Allegheny County. Frostburg measured 36.0 inches at 112 PM on Feb. 6th. (Ref. See below Snowfall totals in Northern VA & MD) "Record 2-day snowfall on 5th-6th at IAD, 32.4"; BWI 24.8"; 2nd greatest at DCA, 17.8 the fourth greatest snowstorm on record"; Blizzard conditions in Anne Arundel and St. Mary’s Counties, MD, with wind gusts 35 mph and greater, blowing and drifting snow, visibilities less than 1/4 mile. Snowfall 20"-30" in most locations and as much as 38.3" in Elkridge, MD, and 34.5" in Leesburg, VA." (Ref. FEB PRESTO Page 1) The total snowfall today at West Henrico Co. - Glen Allen VA. area was 6.6 inches and total precipitation from snow and rainfall was 0.78 inches (total water equivalent for the storm of the 5th and 6th was 2.50 inches) and the snow ended at 1730 hrs.
The storm total snowfall at West Henrico Co. - Glen Allen VA. area was 11.1 inches but the rainfall in this storm melted about 2.0 inches of this from the 4.5 inches that fell on the 5th. It was the most snow I have ever seen fall on the back side of a storm from the wrap- around effect and just after the snow ended there was a total of 12.4 inches on the lawn. Other links--

Click here for a time lapse of first half of the storm that ended in rain in Glen Allen.
Time lapse of second half of the storm in Glen Allen, VA - The wrap-around effect
Radar Composite for 5th and 6th
The hour by hour description of the 33 hour storm in Glen Allen, VA
Snowfall totals in Northern VA & MD
The Snowmageddon snowstorm (www.examiner.com)
Ref. FEB PRESTO Page 1
Ref. FEB PRESTO Page 2
Ref. Kevin's Report after a 43 hour power outage
Satellite image of snow over VA taken Feb. 7th
Weatherwise - The Snowstorms of the Mid-Atlantic 2009-10 (Large Doc. Give It Time to Load)
Fast Time Lapse Video of the Storm - Note Trees Bend Down as Snow Piles Up
Slower Time Lapse Video of DC and MD snowstorm
Ref. (NWS Ranking for Storms between 1956 and 2011) This is the 24th Worst Snowstorm
(Ref. U.S. Weather Highlights of 2010 page 1 and 2 )

2011
O'hare International Airport in chicago received 2.6 inches of snow today. This brings the total for the season so far to 50.1 inches and marks the first time in Chicago weather history that there have been four consecutive seasons of 50 inch or greater snowfall.
(Ref. 1st time in Chicago's history with 4 consecutive seasons of 50 inches or greater snowfall.)

FEBRUARY
7TH


1780
Unprecedented cold wave occurred in the winter of 1779-1780. All waterways in the Mid-Atlantic area including the Potomac River and most of the Chesapeake Bay. The cold weather set in during December of 1779 and area rivers were frozen by Christmas. The cold weather continued through the month of January and lasted until the first week in February. To the south Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News and Portsmouth were connected by thick ice that supported foot traffic between the ports. The James River could be crossed on ice near Williamsburg. Even further south, the Albemarle Sound was frozen thick enough to allow American soldiers to cross on foot. Thomas Jefferson noted that never before had the Tidewater frozen to such a large extent. On the beaches of the Delmarva, ice mounds piled up to a height of 20 feet as a result of breaking waves and frozen spray freezing on the beach. The ice mounds did not melt until spring.
(p.30 Washington Weather Book 2002 by Ambrose, Henry, Weiss)

1812
The Hard Shock of the New Madrid Earthquake series struck the area around the small town of New Madrid, MO. A 3-mile long island, Island # 32 completely sank. The Mississippi River once again ran backwards. This major shock marked the beginning of the end of New Madrid's long ordeal, even though aftershocks would continue to be felt for years and the fault is still active.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1835
On this date through the morning of the 10th, the earliest well-documented severe freeze occurred across northern Florida. Tallahassee dropped to 4° and Jacksonville & Pensacola fell to 8°. The edges of the St. Johns River froze and ice was reported in Pensacola Bay. The temperature was below freezing for over two days at St. Augustine. All citrus was killed.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1861
The temperature at Gouverneur NY bottomed out at -40 degrees, a drop of 70 degrees in one day. Two days later the mercury hit 55 degrees. Hanover, NH plunged from 37° at 1 PM to -32° at 7 AM the next morning, and West Cummington, MA plummeted 80 degrees to -32°. Boston, MA plunged from 46° to -14°, and on the 11th was back up to 60°.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)
(Extreme Weather p. 54, by Christopher C. Burt) (The Weather Channel)
(David Ludlum)

1887
The maximum temperature for the date is 64 °F in Washington, DC.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1892
Verkhoyansk, Russia recorded Asia’s coldest reading as their temperature plummeted to -90°.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1899
A third area of low pressure moved in to DC on the 7th and dumped an additional 5 inches of snow bringing the snow cover in DC to around one foot.
(p. 51 Washington Weather Book 2002 by Ambrose, Henry, Weiss)

The arctic outbreak spread south of Canada on February 7, 1899, dropping temperatures to -61°F in Montana, -59°F in Minnesota, (a state record that stood for almost a century, until the village of Tower recorded -60°F on February 2, 1996).
(Extreme Weather p. 63, by Christopher C. Burt)

1904
A tornado touched down in the southern tip of Illinois, hitting the towns of Meridian and Villa Ridge, north of Cairo. Parts of some barns were carried over a mile. Another tornado causing F2 damage in Clinton County picked up a two-story home, turned it around, and returned it to the ground. Oak trees with trunks 20 inches in diameter were "twisted into splinters".
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1907
The minimum temperature for the date is +3 °F in Washington, DC.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1920
A 4-day ice, sleet and snowstorm over New England and southeastern New York came to an end after dumping as much as 15 to 20 inches of frozen precipitation.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1933
A 112 foot rogue wave was survived by the USS Ramapo in the Pacific Ocean. It is thought to be the highest wave ever observed and survived. It was caused by 70 mph winds over a large fetch.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1934
A deep freeze made it possible to drive from Bay Shore to Fire Island NY.
(Sandra and TI Richard Sanders) (Bob Ryan's 2002 Almanac)

1936
On Friday February 7th, 1936 Richmond had 12.6 inches of snow and on the morning of the 8th Richmond had a low temperature of -10°F . 14.4 inches of snow in Wash. DC from 2355 on the 6th to 1645 on the 7th occurred the greatest snowstorm since Jan. 1922. A low pressure system formed to the east of Florida on the morning of the 6th and moved to a position about 60 miles east of Cape Hatteras. The first flakes of snow fell in Washington, DC just after midnight of the 7th and by late morning over a foot of snow had fallen. The total accumulation in Washington was 14.4 inches with a liquid content of 1.01 inches. Vertical weather accompanied the storm as temperatures fell to 16 degrees Fahrenheit during the height of the snowfall. Only 3 to 6 inches of snow fell in far northern and western suburbs. Norfolk recorded 9 inches of snow, the city's heavy snowfall in the last 40 years. (p. 60 Washington Weather Book 2002 by Ambrose, Henry, Weiss) Over 14 inches of snow fell in the Northern Virginia with greater amounts in the Skyline Drive area. The heavy snow set the stage for the great spring flood in March when warm temperatures brought a sudden thaw to the snow pack. Following the snow, Richmond's temperature fell to a record low for the month reaching -10 °F.
(Ref. Virginia Weather History)

1967
A strong low pressure system created near blizzard conditions in the middle Atlantic religion. The brief, but intense storm produced 10 to 12 inches of snow across Washington, DC area. Light snow broke out during the evening of February the 6th. The snow remained light to moderate through the night, and then became heavy around daybreak. Snow accumulated at 1 to 2 inches an hour between 6:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. and quickly ended around noon on the 7th. The storm dumped 10.3 inches of snow an it National Airport and 11.7 inches at Dulles generally, 10 - 12 inches of snow fell throughout the area.
(p. 79-80 Washington Weather Book 2002 by Ambrose, Henry, Weiss)
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)
Ref. (NWS Ranking for Storms between 1956 and 2011) This is the 33rd Worst Snowstorm

1971
A waterspout came ashore at 4:18 AM and caused F2 damage to an expensive apartment complex in Gulf Breeze, Florida. 112 people were hurt. The tornado formed near Santa Rosa Island and moved ashore at Navy Cove, Florida.
(Ref. Weather Guide Calendar with Phenomenal Weather Events 2012 Accord Pub. 2011, USA)

1978
The worst winter storm of record struck coastal New England. The storm produced 27.5 inches of snow at Boston, and nearly 50 inches in northeastern Rhode Island. The fourteen-foot tide at Portland ME was probably the highest of the century. Winds gusted to 79 mph at Boston, and reached 92 mph at Chatham, Massachusetts. Hurricane size surf caused 75 deaths and 500 million dollars damage.
(David Ludlum)
Ref. (NWS Ranking for Storms between 1956 and 2011) This is the 13th Worst Snowstorm
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1987
Low pressure in Manitoba, Canada, pulled warm air up from the Gulf of Mexico, and more than forty cities in the north central United States reported record high temperatures for the date, including: North Platte NE and Rapid City SD with readings of 73 degrees.
(Ref. Wilson - Many Additional Temperatures Listed On This Link)
(The National Weather Summary)

1988
Twenty-two cities in the eastern United States reported record low temperatures for the date, including Binghamton NY with a reading of 5 degrees below zero. Snow blanketed southern Louisiana, with three inches reported at Cameron.
(Ref. Wilson - Additional Temperatures Listed On This Link)
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1989
Twenty-five cities in the western United States reported record low temperatures for the date. Lows of 16 at Las Vegas NV, 26 at Bakersfield, CA, -29 degrees at Milford UT, and -16 degrees at Reno NV were February records. The low of 43 degrees below zero at Boca CA was a state record for the month of February. In Utah, lows of -32 degrees at Bryce Canyon, -27 degrees at Delta, -29 degrees at Dugway, and -38 degrees at Vernal were all-time records for those locations.
(Ref. Wilson - Additional Temperatures Listed On This Link)
(The National Weather Summary)

1990
A slow moving cold front spread heavy snow across the state of Utah. Storm totals ranged up to 31 inches at Alta, UT with 24 inches at reported Brighton and 23 inches at Snowbird. Bitter cold weather prevailed across Alaska for the thirteenth day in a row, with morning lows of -42 degrees at Fairbanks, -48 degrees at Nenana, and -54 degrees at Bettles. Anchorage AK reported a record low of 23 degrees below zero.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1991
Dense fog resulted in a 74 vehicle pile-up on Highway 99 in Fresno County, California resulting in three deaths and 31 injuries. In another area of Fresno County, a truck drove onto railroad tracks and was struck by a train, resulting in one death.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1994
Snow falling over the area produced heavy accumulations from central into northeast South Dakota with 11 inches at Kennebec and 8 inches at Watertown through the 9th. Extreme cold accompanied and followed the snow with low temperatures of -52 °F at Promise and -45 °F at Aberdeen on the 9th. Snow accumulation caused a roof to cave in on a drugstore at Bristol. A man died of exposure attempting to walk home near Sioux Falls after his car became stuck in a ditch.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2002
Oregon experienced their worst windstorm since the Great Columbus Day Blow of 1962 as developing low pressure moved into the southwestern part of the state. Winds gusted to 88 mph at Bandon, OR.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2003
Snow started at 1847 on the 6th and end on this date at 0655 with a total snowfall of 6.9 inches the most since 1-25-2000 (10.8 inches) an the most in Feb. since 2-16-1996 when 10.8 inches also occurred.
(Ref. Annandale Virginia Weather Records )

2008
Alaska:
An arctic high centered along the Alcan border separating eastern Alaska and Canada's Yukon Territory cause morning temperatures across eastern interior Alaska to lower than minus 60 °F at nearly a half dozen locations. The temperature dropped to minus 72 °F at Chicken, marking the lowest official temperature in the state in more than eight years.
(Ref. WxDoctor)

2009
Impressive! Melbourne, Australia, baked in its hottest day in 150 years of weather record keeping. Today’s high of 116 degrees broke the previous record of 114 degrees set on January 13, 1939. The 116 degree reading also broke the old February record of 110 degrees.
(Ref. Weather Guide Calendar with Phenomenal Weather Events 2011 Accord Pub. 2010, USA)

2013
By late on February 7, 2013, winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories were issued for the northeastern United States, from the Upper Midwest to New England. There was also a blizzard warning for the New York metropolitan area, all of Connecticut, all of Rhode Island, and eastern Massachusetts, as well as southeast New Hampshire and coastal Maine. The nor’easter is currently evolving and growing in strength as it pushes closer to the U.S. Northeast this evening. See the 8th for more information.
(Ref. NWS satellite view of the phasing of the two systems)

2014
Ice and snowstorm hits PA Maryland officials reported 500 outages. More than 1 million customers lost power at the storm's peak.
(PA Ice Storm)

FEBRUARY
8TH


1835
A severe cold wave gripped the southeastern United States The mercury dipped to 8 above at Jacksonville FL, and to zero at Savannah GA. Orange trees were killed to the roots.
(David Ludlum)

1895
The minimum temperature for the date is 0 °F in Washington, DC.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

On this date through the 9th, a severe freeze hit parts of Florida. Some record low temperatures included: Tallahassee: 11°, Ocala: 16° and 19° at Orlando. This freeze followed the December 1894 freeze and due to intervening mild weather citrus trees were greatly damaged.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1899
Soon after the third storm had passed record cold moved in to DC from Canada and by the 11th Washington, DC set its all time record low temperature of -15 °F.
(p. 53 Washington Weather Book 2002 by Ambrose, Henry, Weiss)

The maximum temperature climbed to only -39°F in Roseau, Minnesota, the second-coldest maximum temperature ever recorded in the lower 48 states. (The coldest maximum temperature ever recorded in the lower 48 was -44°F in Glasgow, Montana, on January 12, 1916). Soon after the third storm had passed record cold moved in to Washington, DC from Canada and by the 11th Washington set their all time record low temperature of -15°. This marked the coldest day on record for Sioux City. On this day, the average temperature for Sioux City was only -24°. The low for this day was a frigid -27°, and the high was just -22°. Incidentally, these two temperatures hold the record low, and the record low-high for this date that stand to this day. Grand Meadow, MN set their all-time record February record low with -34°.
(Extreme Weather p. 63, by Christopher C. Burt)
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1900
The maximum temperature for the date is 68 °F in Washington, DC.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA )

1936
Denver CO minimum temperature for February is 25 degrees below zero recorded on (today 2-8-1936) and again on 2/1/1951.
(National Weather Service Records for Denver CO)
The cold -10 °F minimum temperature was the lowest temperature ever recorded in Richmond, Virginia for the month of February.
(Ref. West Henrico Co. - Glen Allen VA. Weather Records)

1956
Snow tapers off in Vega, TX following 8 straight days with snow for a grand total of 61 inches a new single storm record for Texas.
(Bob Ryan's 2002 Almanac)

1957
On the 7th through the 9th Ice storms occur in Hawaii? 3 inches of clear ice up to 8 inches on downwind sides (SSW) of poles) collected on surfaces at the top of Mt. Haleakala, Maui (elevation approximately 10,000 feet). 3 miles of power lines toppled. Wind gusts to 100 mph; coldest temperatures approximately 24 degrees.
(Ref. Weather Guide Calendar with Phenomenal Weather Events 2011 Accord Pub. 2010, USA)

1968
3.6 inches of snow fell at Savannah, GA, the biggest snowfall for the city in 100 years.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1979
On this date through the 18th, the temperature dropped to -40° and winds in excess of 60 mph caused blowing and drifting snow at Iqaluit, Northwest Territories Canada, as blizzard conditions forced residents to stay indoors for 10 days.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1987
A powerful storm produced blizzard conditions in the Great Lakes Region. Winds gusted to 86 mph at Janesville, WI and Cleveland, OH received 12 inches of snow. North winds of 50 to 70 mph raised the water level of southern Lake Michigan two feet, and produced waves 12 to 18 feet high, causing seven million dollars damage along the Chicago area shoreline. It was the most damage caused by shoreline flooding and erosion in the history of the city of Chicago.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

Boulders to 6 feet in diameter left on the road. Lake spray above third-floor level in Lake front high-rise apartments were damaged.
(Weather Guide Calendar with Phenomenal Weather Events 2007 Accord Publishing, USA)

1988
Arctic air invaded the north central United States Hibbing, MN reported a morning low of 30 degrees below zero.
(The National Weather Summary)

1989
A winter storm over California produced snow from the beaches of Malibu to the desert canyons around Palm Springs, and the snow created mammoth traffic jams in the Los Angeles Basin. Sixteen cities in the western United States reported record low temperatures for the date. Marysville, CA reported an all-time record low reading of 21 degrees above zero.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1990
Unseasonably mild weather prevailed across the south central and eastern United States Twenty-two cities, including five in Michigan, reported record high temperatures for the date. The afternoon high of 53 degrees at Flint MI surpassed their previous record by ten degrees, and the high of 66 degrees at Burlington IA exceeded their old record by eight degrees.
(The National Weather Summary)

February 8 - 9 1994 Ice Storm
February 1994 the back to back ice storms struck on February 8 to 9 and again February 10 to 11 leaving a coat of ice, one to three inches thick, across much of the area. Areas west of Frederick County, MD saw anywhere from five to nine inches of sleet accumulate. Toward the end of the storm, this area saw light freezing rain solidify the sleet on the ground and but a glaze across trees and wires. There were scattered outages and at least 75 ice-related injuries that were treated at area hospitals. Across central and northern Maryland, Northern Virginia, the Shenandoah Valley, and the central Piedmont of Virginia, about 4 to 7 inches of sleet fell. Again in this area, light freezing rain toward the end of the storm, which solidified the ice and coated everything. It was enough to do about $5 million in damages across this region. The hardest hit area was Southern Maryland, Annapolis, and the Eastern Shore and southwest across Fredericksburg and the Northern Neck area and down toward Lynchburg and Danville in Virginia. Here, the combination of the two storms left 3 to 5 inches of ice on surfaces. It was too much for trees and wires. Some counties lost 10 percent of their trees. Fallen trees made roads impassable. Some trees fell on cars and houses. Electric and phone lines were down with as much as 90 percent of the area's people without power. Even with help from out-of-state utility companies, many people were without power for a week. A presidential disaster declaration was given for the counties affected in a 40 to 50 mile wide band all the way from Delaware southwest to Tennessee. Damages were estimated at near 100 million dollars for the Virginia-Maryland area. There were hundreds of injuries from automobile accidents and people falling on ice. It was likely the iciest winter the Baltimore-Washington area has ever seen.
1994 Scroll Down to Number 8 The Ice Storm in the Web Site List

(Ref. Wilson Wx. Additional Information)

2002
A fast moving cold front brought high winds and snow to the mountains around Salt Lake City, UT as the 2002 Olympic Winter Games were getting underway. Wind gusts of up to 71 mph caused problems for Ski Jumping, and the competition had to be postponed.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2013
Total snowfall in Boston, Massachusetts, reached 24.9 inches (63 cm), the fifth-highest total ever recorded in the city. New York City officially recorded 11.4 inches (29 cm) of snow at Central Park, and Portland, Maine, set a record of 31.9 inches (81 cm). Hamden, Connecticut recorded the highest snowfall of the storm at 40 inches (100 cm). Many surrounding cities picked up at least 1 foot (30 cm). In addition to the significant snowfall totals, hurricane-force wind gusts were recorded, reaching 102 mph (164 km/h) in Nova Scotia, 89 mph (143 km/h) at Mount Desert Rock, Maine, and 84 mph (135 km/h) off the coast of Cuttyhunk, Massachusetts. Boston experienced a storm surge of 4.2 ft (1.3 m), its fourth-highest. The storm affected Atlantic Canada after hitting the Northeastern United States.
This Later Became the New 24 Hour Record Amount of 36.0 inches for the State of CT. (Ref. NWS)
Detailed Information on the Storm (Ref. Wikipedia.org and the Washington Post)
Boston, MA -More than 1 foot of Snow in Some Locations (Ref. CNN)
25 Worst Snowstorm a Category 3 Storm (Ref. NOAA)
Map of Snow Amounts Over New England - This states the 36 inch snow in Ansonia, CT
is a new 24 hour snowfall record. (Ref. NOAA)

Pictures of the Snow (Ref. Christ Dolce, Jon Erdman, Nick Wiltgen)
List of 10 pages of snow amounts over New Endland (Ref. NWS)
Picture of Town Hall of West Hartford after the Street was plowed

2015
The last in a series of storms bringing snow to part of the Northeast this weekend will bring the heaviest snow and greatest disruptions to travel and daily activities during Monday.
Up until Sunday night, the storms will bring light snow with a few exceptions from northern Minnesota, northern Michigan, New York state and New England.
The caboose in the train of storms will end up being the strongest and will bring the heaviest amount of snow by early this week.
The steadiest snow from Sunday night into Monday night will fall from New York state to New England. A general 6-12 inches of snow is forecast to fall in this swath, with locally higher amounts.
The third snowstorm to hit NewEngland in about a 2 week period. - (Ref.Accu-weather)
Boston's 2015 Snow Blitz-How Did it Compare? (Ref.Weatherwise-Sep/Oct2015-Vol 68/ number 5

FEBRUARY
9th


1741
The greatest snowstorm of the hard winter season occurred producing 3 feet near Hartford, CT.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1870
Ulysses S. Grant signed the measure which created a federal weather agency. It was later assigned to the U.S. Army Signal Corps known today as the National Weather Service. Observations began on 11/1/1870.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1899
The low temperature of - 4 degrees Fahrenheit, high of 7 degrees Fahrenheit was recorded on this date in Washington, DC.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

Fort Wayne, IN had a low of -19° and a high of just -7°. Angola, IN fell to -20°. This air mass was entrenched over much of the United States east of the Rockies for several days. On the 12th, Fort Worth, TX dropped to 8° and Charleston, SC received 4 inches of snow. Ice flows blocked the Mississippi River at New Orleans, LA, which has happened only one other time: February 13, 1784. The temperature dropped to -63° at Norway House, Manitoba Canada setting the province's low temperature record.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1933
The temperature at Moran Wyoming, located next to Teton National Park, plunged to 63 degrees below zero to establish a state record. The temperature at the Riverside Ranger Station in Montana dipped to 66 below zero to establish a record for the state, and a record for the nation that stood until 1954.
(David Ludlum)

The current record for the lower 48 states is -70°F at Rogers Pass in Montana on 1-20-1954.
(Extreme Weather p. 54, by Christopher C. Burt)

1934
The mercury dipped to 51 degrees below zero at Vanderbilt to establish a record for the state of Michigan.
(David Ludlum)

1949
The maximum temperature was 68 °F in Washington, DC.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1960
The mercury soared to 102° in Rio Grande City, Texas. Just two days later, there was 10 inches of snow at Port Arthur.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1967
Atlantic City, NJ was hit by its 2nd major snowstorm in 3 days as they received 14 inches.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1969
A major winter storm pounded the Northeast. Bedford, MA recorded 25 inches of snow, 20 inches fell at New York City, NY and Portland, ME recorded 22 inches. Drifts would pile up to 20 feet in places. Known as the "Lindsay Storm" because of the political fallout that resulted for New York Mayor John Lindsay. Mayor John Lindsay ran into political misfortune after sections of New York City remained unplowed for a week after the storm. 800 cars were stranded on New York's Tappan-Zee Bridge. Damages totaled over $10 million dollars.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)
Ref. (NWS Ranking for Storms between 1956 and 2011) This is the 32nd Worst Snowstorm

1977
Chicago, Illinois:
The Windy City sees its longest recorded stretch of sub-freezing days end at 43. Seventeen days during the run had minimum temperatures below zero °F, the coldest being -19 °F.
(Ref. WxDoctor)

1987
A storm off the Atlantic coast produced high winds and heavy snow in the northeastern United States, with blizzard conditions in eastern Massachusetts. Wind gusted to 80 mph and 23.4 inches of snow produced drifts eight feet high at Cape Cod MA. It was the worst blizzard in thirty years for the Cape Cod area. Winds in some of the mountains and ridges of the Appalachian Region gusted to 100 mph.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1988
Arctic cold invaded the north central United States Alliance NE plunged from 44 degrees to 12 above in just two hours, and Mobridge, SD reported a wind chill of 64 degrees below zero. Winds along the eastern slopes of the Rockies gusted to 90 mph at Cheyenne WY, and reached 96 mph at Boulder CO.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1989
A winter storm continued to bring rain and snow to southern California. Snowfall totals ranged up to 18 inches at Olancha, with three inches at Palmdale.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1990
Thunderstorms developing ahead of a cold front erupted over eastern Texas late in the morning, and produced severe weather as they swept across the southeastern states. Early evening thunderstorms spawned a tornado, which injured one person at Nat TX, and produced tennis ball size hail, which caused more than half a million dollars damage around Shreveport LA.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1994
Buffalo breaks record of consecutive days with precipitation a total of 55 days from December 18th to February 10th. On 54 of 55 days it snowed with a total during the period of 75.3 inches.
(Bob Ryan's 2000 Almanac)

A devastating ice storm struck Mississippi, Louisiana and extreme northwest Alabama. Freezing rain began falling over north Mississippi during the early morning hours and continued until midday on the 10th. Ice accumulated 3 to 6 inches thick on exposed objects in the affected area. Due to the weight of the ice, power lines, trees and tree limbs were downed. Nearly one million people were without power after the storm, some for a month.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

A long duration overrunning snowstorm combined with ocean effect snow resulted in big snowfall accumulations across east-coastal Massachusetts. Boston checked in with a two day total of 18.7 inches for its greatest single storm snowfall since the great blizzard of 1978. 27.7 inches was recorded at Manchester-by-the-Sea and 24 inches fell at South Weymouth. Farther to the southwest, a foot of snow blanketed Newark, New Jersey.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2001
The maximum temperature for the date is 70°F in Washington, DC.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

2006
Death Valley California recorded a high temperature of 91°F today. This is the earliest, in the year, greater than or equal to 90° temperature recorded in Death Valley. (Death Valley meteorological records go back to 1911)
(Ref. Weather Guide Calendar with Phenomenal Weather Events 2012 Accord Pub. 2011, USA)

2010
Washington, DC and MD Blizzard starts only three days after the February 5-6, 2010 Snowmageddon ends.
Radar Composite for the 9th and 10th


2013
The 4th of the top 10 weather events of 2013 according to Weatherwise magazine was the Northeast blizzard of February 8 and 9. This epic nor’easter dumped 20 to 30 inches of snow on Long Island, New York; central and eastern Massachusetts; southern new Hampshire; and southern Maine, and 3 feet of snow in South Central Connecticut making this one of the strongest blizzards on record for southern and eastern New England.
(Ref.Weatherwise May/June 2013 page 15)

FEBRUARY
10TH


1899
The minimum temperature for the date was -8 °F and the high was + 4 degrees F. in Washington, DC. The + 4 degrees F. high was the lowest maximum ever recorded in Washington. That makes this day one of only five days in the official climate history of Washington (11-1-1870- present 2003) to have a maximum temperature less than 10 degrees F. The first time was on 12-30-1880 when the high was 9 °F and the second was 12-30-1917 when the high was 9 degrees F. A high temperature of 8 degrees has occurred twice also - the first time was this date (1-13-1912) and the second time was 1-19-1994.
(Stanley Rossen email of December 31, 2002)
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

Coldest ever in Virginia it was -29°F Monterey in 1899 a record that stood until Jan. 22nd, 1985 when it was -30° below zero. This is still the VA all time record low temperature.
The temperature in Milligan, Ohio plunged to -39° below zero in 1899, for a all time state record to the present (2010).
(Extreme Weather p. 54, by Christopher C. Burt)

1921
The town of Gardner, GA was devastated by a huge F4 tornado that caused an entire section of the small town to virtually disappear. 31 people died and 100 were injured.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1933
The temperature in Seneca, Oregon plunged to -54° below zero, for a new state record. It would be over 100° warmer the next day with a high temperature of 45°.
(Extreme Weather p. 54, by Christopher C. Burt)
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1954
The greatest daily temperature range in Richmond, Virginia for February was 46 °F which occurred on two dates February 10th in 1954 and February 29th in 1916.
(Ref. Richmond Weather Records - KRIC)

1959
St. Louis, MO was hit by massive F4 tornado that killed 21 and injured 345. Over 2,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed in St. Louis County in Missouri and Madison County in Illinois.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1960
The maximum temperature for the date is 68 °F in Washington, DC.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1973
A major snowstorm struck the southeastern United States It produced as much as 18 inches in Georgia, and up to two feet of snow in South Carolina.
(David Ludlum)

1978
As much as eight inches of rain drenched southern California resulting in widespread flooding and mudslides. The heavy rainfall produced a wall of water that ripped through the mountain resort community of Hidden Springs drowning at least thirteen persons. The storm was one of the most destructive of record causing fifty million dollars damage.
(David Ludlum)

1981
A morning tornado at Bay Minette, AL struck the local middle school. The school's gymnasium was severely damaged and several students were injured.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1982
Bismarck ND experienced its 45th consecutive day of subzero temperature readings which tied the previous record long string of subzero daily lows ending on the same date in 1937.
(David Ludlum)

1983
On February 10, 1983 a huge snowstorms swept up the eastern seaboard, burying the Virginia Washington area in a swath of very heavy snow. During the late evening of February 10th a low over Georgia started giving a light snow to the Washington, DC area. The snow slowly picked up in intensity during the overnight hours and by morning the surface low was positioned just east of Wilmington, North Carolina. A tight pressure gradient between the storm and a high-pressure area to the north causing winds to increase to gust over 40 mph and snowfall rates of 3 inches per hour were common. Many observers particularly in the Maryland suburbs reported several episodes of lightning and thunder. Most of the southern and eastern suburbs recorded 15 to 20 inches of snow while 20 to 30 inches of snow fell in the northern and western suburbs. National Airport received 16.6 inches while 22.8 inches fell at both BWI and Dulles Airport. In Northwest Montgomery and Frederick Counties the storm was the greatest ever recorded easily exceeding the totals received during the famous Knickerbockers storm of January 1922. Germantown and Frederick both receive 30 inches of snow and western Loudoun County, Virginia, up to 38 inches. Braddock Heights, just west of Frederick, Maryland, received 34.9 inches. Areas to the east and a little south of Washington received snow pellets mixed with snow thus reducing the accumulations there.
(p. 90 Washington Weather Book 2002 by Ambrose, Henry, Weiss)
(Ref. Wilson Wx. - More Information About This Storm)
Ref. (NWS Ranking for Storms between 1956 and 2011) This is the 10th Worst Snowstorm

1987
A storm in the northeastern United States produced heavy snow in southeastern Maine. Grand Falls and Woodland received 15 inches, mainly during the early morning hours, while most of the rest of the state did not even see a flake of snow.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1994
Started February 10th to 1600 hours of the 11th with 3.0 inches sleet at Annandale - Barcroft Hills
(Annandale Weather Records)

1988
Bitter cold arctic air gripped the north central United States International Falls MN was the cold spot in the nation with a low of 35 degrees below zero. Record warm readings were reported in southern California, with highs of 78 at San Francisco and 88 at Los Angeles. San Juan Capistrano, CA was the hot spot in the nation with a high of 92 degrees.
(The National Weather Summary)

1989
For the first time all month winter relaxed its grip on the nation. The temperature at Brownsville TX warmed above 60 degrees for the first time in six days, ending their second longest such cold spell of record.
(The National Weather Summary)

1990
Thunderstorms developing ahead of a cold front continued to produce severe weather across the southeastern United States through the morning hours and into the late afternoon. There were a total of twenty-nine tornadoes in twenty-nine hours, and 245 reports of large hail or damaging winds. Pre-dawn thunderstorms produced high winds that injured at least seventy persons in Alabama and Georgia, and caused more than twelve million dollars property damage. A tornado at Austell, GA prior to daybreak injured two persons and caused two million dollars damage.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1993
In northwest Kansas, snow began about midday, became heavy during the afternoon and overnight hours, before completely ending by late evening on the 11th. 5 to 10 inches of snowfall was common with winds up to 50 mph causing severe blowing and drifting. Some snow drifts reached 5 feet and wind chills of -20° to -50° were common. Many schools and a part of interstate 70 were closed.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1994
Sleet began falling in DC Metro area and didn't stop until 2 to 6 inches of sleet coats the entire area on the 11th. Another severe ice storm hits the southern suburbs as temperature hover in the teens and twenties.
(Bob Ryan's 2002 Almanac)

Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Arkansas continued in the grip of a major ice storm. Mississippi was hardest hit with up to 6 inches of ice accumulation in some areas. Up to 3.7 million acres of commercial forest land valued at an estimated $1.3 billion was destroyed by the storm. 80,000 utility poles were downed and some people were without power for up to a month in Mississippi. Sleet began falling in Washington DC. Metro area and didn't stop until 2 to 6 inches of sleet coats the entire area on the 11th. Damage and cleanup costs exceeded $50 million dollars in Arkansas.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)
Ref. (NWS Ranking for Storms between 1956 and 2011) This is the 17th Worst Snowstorm

2001
Winds to 76 mph cost $2.5 million damage to Western New York. Many trees and power lines were down; 250,000 customers were without power. A barn collapsed in Martinsburg killing 50 cattle and the Grand Building in Jamestown had a number of large plate glass windows blown out.
(Weather Guide Calendar with Phenomenal Weather Events 2007 Accord Publishing, USA)

2004
(Feburary 10th – 11th) An Alberta clipper gave 50 mph winds and approximately 1 inch of new snow on top of snow already on the ground into snowdrifts to 20 feet high in northwest North Dakota. An eastbound Amtrak Empire Builder locomotive had to back up 15 miles to Williston, North Dakota when stopped by drifts that were 12 to 14 feet high and 400 yards long.
(Ref. Weather Guide Calendar with Phenomenal Weather Events 2012 Accord Pub. 2011, USA)

2009
Oklahoma deadliest (8 killed) and strongest (EF4) February tornado of record damaged/destroyed many homes/businesses in/around Lone Grove. Many mobile homes obliterated, with few recognizable pieces left. 1 fatality occurred when the tornado hit a truck on I-35.
(Ref. Weather Guide Calendar with Phenomenal Weather Events 2011 Accord Pub. 2010, USA)

2010
Blizzard conditions area wide on 10th with whiteout situation at times. The month was highlighted by unprecedented snowfall breaking all-time records for monthly and seasonal totals. Monthly totals were 32.1" at DCA (2nd greatest in Washington, exceeded only in February 1899), 49.7" at BWI and 46.1" at IAD. Snow water equivalent amounts were variable and impacted monthly liquid totals with amounts generally between 2"-5". Almost all the month's snowfall occurred between the 2nd-10th during three storms.
The first event began late on the 2nd and ended overnight. Most of the area measured 4"-6" with 9.5" recorded in Gainesville (Prince William County), VA, and 7.0" in Wolfsville, (Frederick County), MD.
The second event, Feb. 5th - 6th named on Feb 7, 2010 "Snowmageddon" by President Barack Obama. The storm that's shut down Washington with some locations recording more than 3" of snow in an hour. The snow began in earnest the afternoon of the 5th, becoming heavy by evening, continuing at 1"-2" per hour into the morning on the 6th before ending late afternoon. Blizzard conditions occurred in Anne Arundel and St. Mary’s Counties on the 6th as winds gusted to 35 mph or greater, causing blowing, drifting snow and reducing visibilities to less than ¼ mile.
Then the third event just 3 days later, Feb. 9th - 10th named the “Blizzard of 2010", The storm forced all area airports to close, made roads impassable, and knocked out power to more than 200,000 customers.
The Federal government was closed for nearly a week and schools for more than a week. Maryland and Virginia declared states of emergency. The 2-day storm total broke all-time records at IAD: 32.4"; BWI, 24.8"; DCA's 17.8" was exceeded only by the 18.7" in February 1979. Additional unprecedented totals included 38.3" in Elkridge (Howard County), MD, 34.5" in Leesburg, (Loudoun County), VA, and 27.5" at American University in Washington, DC. Just 3 days later, a rare blizzard occurred across the area with wind driven snow on the 10th and winds gusting greater than 35 mph, reducing visibility to less than ¼ mile and creating whiteout conditions. The whiteout forced snow plows off the roads for a time. Snowfall totals included 26.0" in Westminster (Carroll County), MD, and 14.0" in Lucketts (Loudoun County). Wind-blown snow created drifts as great as 6' in some areas. Record snow depths on the 11th were reported across the area including 45" at Pasadena (Anne Arundel County), MD, 31" at BWI and 26" at IAD. Snow depth of at least an inch was measured at DCA on 21 days, 23 days at BWI and 25 days at IAD. Fortunately, minimal rainfall with moderate temperatures kept snow melt at a rate that minimized the threat of flooding.
(Ref. FEB PRESTO Page 1)

Other Links---
Snow amounts given Feb. 10, 2010
Radar Composite for the 9th and 10th
Kevin Shaw's Report on Feb. 10, 2010
The hour by hour description of the short 5 hour storm in Glen Allen, VA
Click here to see the time lapse of the 5 hour storm in Glen Allen, VA.
www.flickr.com - Alexandria, VA - Increase volume to hear wind
NWS - See page 1 and 10-12 (Large Doc. Give It Time to Load)
Kevin Witt measuring snow at Sterling,VA
Picture during storm in Northern, VA
Second Picture after the storm in Northern, VA
Weatherwise - The Snowstorms of the Mid-Atlantic 2009-10 (Large Doc. Give It Time to Load)
Ref. (NWS Ranking for Storms between 1956 and 2011) This is the 27th Worst Snowstorm

2011
The OK Mesonet is now reporting a low temp of -31 F at Nowata, OK (and -47 wind chill at Medford). Bartlesville ended up falling to -28, breaking the state record. The official National Weather Service station in Bartlesville, Oklahoma reached -27 degrees this morning, colder than the South Pole and most stations in Antarctica. Ironically, we are predicting a high of 66 in Bartlesville, OK on Monday, which would be a 93-degree temperature swing over the weekend!
(Ref. Jesse Ferrell at Accuweather.com)

2014
Posted on Feb 10 2014 - 6:34 am in Chicago, IL Today was the 20th day this winter which temperatures have dipped below zero at O’Hare. Tomorrow will be the 21st. That is triple the average of 7 days per winter. The record number of sub-zero days for a winter was 25 set back in 1884-1885. The way this winter has been going that record is certainly within reach. 50 out of 72 days or 69% of days this winter have been below average.
(Ref.Feb 11 2014 - 12:09 am by tvallewgntv By Meteorologist Tom Skilling)
FEBRUARY
11TH


1899
The maximum was 11 °F and the minimum temperature for the date is -15 °F in Washington, DC and is the "all time" record low temperature for Washington, DC.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

Richmond, VA had a high temperature for the day of only 11 °F making it the coldest day on record for the city (records since 1897). The low was -2 °F and 1.3 inches of snow fell in Richmond, Virginia on this very cold day.
(Ref. Richmond Weather Records)

Perhaps the greatest of all arctic outbreaks commenced on this date. The temperature plunged to 61 degrees below zero in Montana. At the same time a Great Eastern Blizzard left a blanket of snow from Georgia to New Hampshire. The state of Virginia took the brunt of the storm, with snowfall totals averaging 30 to 40 inches.
(David Ludlum)

Pittsburgh, PA recorded their coldest ever with -20°. Milligan recorded Ohio's coldest ever at -39°. Other records included: Columbus, OH with -20° tying their coldest ever. -6° at Philadelphia and -15° at Washington, DC’s National Airport were all-time record lows. At the same time a "Great Eastern Blizzard" left a blanket of snow from Georgia to New Hampshire. The state of Virginia took the brunt of the storm, with snowfall totals averaging 30 to 40 inches. Raleigh, NC picked up 17.7 inches of snow through the 13th. Richmond's 16.3 inches of snow was their 5th biggest ever. (See Richmond's 25 Greatest Snowstorms)
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

Fredericksburg and Quantico recorded -21 °F. A few unofficial readings in the Washington area recorded a -25°F minimum temperature.
(p.53 Washington Weather Book 2002 by Ambrose, Henry, Weiss)

Arlington/Alexandria/Washington Winter Statistics Snowiest Month = 35.2 inches in Feb. 1899 Coldest Temperature = -15°F in Feb. 1899 February 1899: Extreme cold settled into the state with Quantico recording a record low of -20°F and Washington, DC. recording -15°F on the 11th. The temperature fell to -21°F in Fredericksburg, -9° in Warrenton, -12° in Greene County, -17° in Winchester, -23°F at Woodstock, -22° at Harrisonburg and -29° at Monterey in Highland County. The 1898-1899 winter was so cold over a large part of the United States that ice flowed from the Mississippi River into the Gulf of Mexico.
(Ref. Virginia Weather History)


1932
The maximum temperature for the date is 76 °F in Washington, DC.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

The maximum temperature at Richmond International Airport was 83°F today the highest temperature ever recorded in Richmond in February. The other highest temperature ever recorded in Richmond in February was 83 °F Feb. 25th 1930.
(Ref. Richmond Weather Records - KRIC)

1935
Africa's lowest recorded temperature occurred on this date in 1935. A bitterly cold -11 °F (-24 °C ),was registered at the Atlas Mountain village of Ilfrane, Morocco. Instrumentation Maximum/Minimum Thermometer in Standard Stevenson Screen Geospatial Location Ifrane, Morocco [ 33°30'N, 5°06'W, 5364 feet.]
References U.S. Environmental Science Services Administration, 1967

1959
Sun Valley, ID received 38 inches of snow in just 24 hours to set the state record. 182 inches of snow was on the ground at Mullen Pass, ID.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1970
New Hampshire registered its record maximum 24 hour precipitation as 10.39 inches fell at Mount Washington.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1981
The record temperature drop from today's maximum to tomorrow's minimum was a 52°F drop from 62°F Feb. 11, 1981 to a minimum of 10°F on the 12th caused by a strong cold front.

1983
The fourth largest snowstorm in Washington history occurred with 16.6 inches in DC, 23 inches at Dulles, 36 inches in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
(Bob Ryan's 2002 Almanac)

The Middle Atlantic Coast States and southern New England were in the midst of a major snowstorm from the 10th to the 12th. In Pennsylvania, the storm produced 21 inches at Philadelphia, 24 inches at Harrisburg, and 25 inches at Allentown, establishing record 24-hour totals and single storm totals for those locations. New York City received 22 inches of snow, and 35 inches was reported at Glen Gary, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of West Virginia. Windsor Locks CT received a record 19 inches of snow in 12 hours. The storm resulted in forty-six deaths, thirty-three of which occurred when a freighter capsized and sank off the Maryland/Virginia coast. Heavy snow was reported from northeastern Georgia to eastern Maine.
(Storm Data) (The Weather Channel)

A huge snowstorms swept up the eastern seaboard, burying the Virginia Washington area in a swath of very heavy snow. During the late evening of February 10th a low over Georgia started giving a light snow to the Washington area. The snow slowly picked up in intensity during the overnight hours and by morning the surface low was positioned just east of Wilmington, North Carolina. A tight pressure gradient between the storm and a high-pressure area to the north causing winds to increase to gust over 40 mph and snowfall rates of 3 inches per hour were common. Many observers particularly in the Maryland suburbs reported several episodes of lightning and thunder. Most of the southern and eastern suburbs recorded 15 to 20 inches of snow while 20 to 30 inches of snow fell in the northern and western suburbs. National Airport received 16.6 inches while 22.8 inches fell at both BWI and Dulles Airport. In Northwest Montgomery and Frederick Counties the storm was the greatest ever recorded easily exceeding the totals received during the famous Knickerbockers storm of January 1922. Germantown and Frederick both receive 30 inches of snow and western Loudoun County, Virginia, up to 38 inches. Braddock Heights, just west of Frederick, Maryland, received 34.9 inches. Areas to the east and a little south of Washington received snow pellets mixed with snow thus reducing the accumulations there.
(p. 90 Washington Weather Book 2002 by Ambrose, Henry, Weiss)

The "Blizzard of '83" beat the President's Day Storm in size. It covered an unusually large area of Virginia with more than a foot of snow. The storm set a new 24-hour snowfall record in Lynchburg with 14.6 inches, Roanoke with 18.6 inches and Richmond with 16.8 inches. Richmond received 18 inches total and parts of Northern Virginia measured as much as 30 inches on the ground. Winds gusted over 25 mph all day on February 11 in the Richmond area causing three-foot high drifts. This was the third heaviest snowfall on record for Richmond for the last 100 years. The cost of clearing the snow from state roads came to $9 million.
(Ref. 1983 Snowstorm Virginia Weather History)

The Richmond International Airport reported 13.3 inches on the 11th which is their greatest one day snow in February but with the 4.4 inches on the 10th the storm total was 17.7 inches.
(Ref. Richmond Weather Records)
Ref. (NWS Ranking for Storms between 1956 and 2011) This is the 10th Worst Snowstorm

1987
Denver CO reported only their third occurrence of record of a thunderstorm in February. Ten cities in the north central United States reported record high temperatures for the date. Huron SD reported February temperatures averaging 19 degrees above normal. Williston ND reported readings averaging 24 degrees above normal for the month.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1988
Bitter cold air gripped the north central United States Morning lows of 35 degrees below zero at Aberdeen SD, Bismarck ND and International Falls MN were records for the date. Bemidji, MN was, officially, the cold spot in the nation with a low of 39 degrees below zero; however, a reading of 42 degrees below zero was reported at Gettysburg, SD. In the Northern High Plains Region, Baker MT warmed from 27 degrees below zero to 40 above.
(The National Weather Summary)

1989
While much of the continental United States enjoyed sunshine and seasonable temperatures, a strong weather system over the Hawaiian Islands deluged Honolulu with 2.5 inches of rain.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1990
A winter storm produced up to ten inches of snow in Vermont, and up to nine inches of snow in Aroostook County of northeastern Maine. A three-day snowstorm began to overspread Oregon, and the winter storm produced 29 inches of snow at Bennett Pass. Mild weather continued in the central United States La Crosse WI reported a record forty-seven consecutive days with temperatures above normal.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1994
THE GREAT SLEET STORM OF FEBRUARY 10-11 1994
This winter storm was most unique in that produced almost entirely sleet for the immediate DC metro area. To the north, heavy snow fell and to the south and east, freezing rain occurred producing a devastating ice storm. In the Washington area, the sleet accumulation averaged between 3 to 4 inches. The maximum sleet accumulation occurred over Central and western Fairfax County, with over 4 inches of sleet measured at several locations. Only two other sleet storms in Washington's history have compared to this storm-one occurred in 1920 and the other in 1927. The average sleet depth for the 1927 storm was 4.5 inches. Washington was lucky it was sleet and not a glaze as they received south of DC. In areas to the south where the ice storm (glaze) occurred there were some areas without electricity for nearly a month and most had no power for a week.
(p. 95-96 Washington Weather Book 2002 by Ambrose, Henry, Weiss)

The Northeast was suffering under its 2nd winter storm in 3 days. Newark, NJ picked up 18 inches of snow on top of the foot that had fallen just a few days earlier. 18 inches fell at Newark, NJ & New Bedford and Hyannis, MA. 3 to 4 inches of sleet was reported at and around the Baltimore, MD – Washington, DC area.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)
Ref. (NWS Ranking for Storms between 1956 and 2011) This is the 17th Worst Snowstorm

1999
An F1 tornado did much damage to the ET Dunlap Center and nearby Kiamichi Tech Center in Idabel, Oklahoma. An instructor called in sick; the class was canceled; a damaged roof collapsed into the empty classroom. Good time for sickness!
(Ref. Weather Guide Calendar with Phenomenal Weather Events 2011 Accord Pub. 2010, USA)

2004
North Dakota:
Governor John Hoeven declares a snow emergency as winds gusting over 70 mph along with heavy snow produces low visibilities and drifts up to 20 feet in northwestern North Dakota. Amtrak train service is interrupted in the region
(Ref. WxDoctor)

2006
The snow on the 11th and 12th was the main event of February 2006 at the Annandale Weather Center with a storm total of 12.5 inches. (See the 12th.)
(The Annandale Weather Records)

The Mid-Atlantic and northeast was in the grips of a major winter storm. Snowfall records fell in Philadelphia and Allentown, PA, Bridgeport and Hartford, CT, Newark, NJ, and Worchester and Boston, MA. The highest total reported was 30.2 inches at Fairfield, CT. New York City’s Central Park recorded their greatest 24-hour snowfall total of 26.9 inches. The snow depth at Glasgow, Montana reached 29 inches, setting a new record for snow depth for the location. The old record was 26 inches set on February 10, 1916.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2010
The Nor'easter that blasted the region on February 10-11 was a true blizzard, with powerful winds that caused whiteout conditions. The 10 to 20 inches that smothered the urban areas from Washington, D.C. to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, added to the deep snowpack already on the ground, resulting in depths (two-three feet plus) rarely if ever seen in this part of the country. Due to the amount of snow deposited on populated areas, this was also rated a Category 3 storm, the third since December. In addition, the new snowfall totals took the winter season numbers over the top, upsetting records established more than a century ago. Over 55 inches fell from December to February in Washington, D.C., while the northern suburbs picked up officially as much as 98 inches, including 55 inches in nine days—numbers that seasoned weather observers thought they would never see in their lifetimes. From Washington, D.C. to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Atlantic City, New Jersey, this was not only the snowiest February on record, but the snowiest month ever. And, despite March being essentially snowless, Richmond, Virginia (28.0 inches); Washington, D.C. (56.1 inches at DCA and 73.2 inches at lAD); Baltimore, Maryland (77.0 inches); Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (78.7 inches); Wilmington, Delaware (72.7 inches); and Atlantic City, New Jersey (58.1 inches) all set records for the snowiest winter since modem recordkeeping began more than 130 years ago.
(Ref. U.S. Weather Highlights of 2010 page 2 )

2012
Thunder Snow with thunder heard at 1525 and 1526 and at 1528 during a snow squall. This was the first thunder snow we have observed at this station. (Records since August of 2008.) There was about a 3 to 5 minute period of snow pellets between 1506 and 1510. Heaviest snow was from 1525 to 1533 but some snow was melting as it fell as the temperature was above freezing during the even which started at 1505 and ended at 1545. The yard was becoming white around 1525 with snow and the deck is white and already covered but as hard as it snowing the street never became white as it was so warm. The low temperature during the snow was 34 °F and as soon as it was over it rose to 35 before falling again. This 0.5 inches was the most snow since January 25 and 26th of 2011 when 0.5 inches also occurred.
(West Henrico Co. - Glen Allen Virginia Weather Center)


2013
| The Hartford Courant Staff, The Hartford Courant on 2 - 12 - 2013 giving news from the 11th. As many businesses reopened after the weekend blizzard, snow-choked roadways in Hartford slowed the commute and caused traffic to backup onto highways. Traffic would have been worse but for the federal holiday that closed state government for the day. Hartford officials said snow clearing efforts continued Monday and Tuesday, but several main thoroughfares, including Asylum Avenue, were substantially restricted by snow that not yet been pushed off the street.
People Go Back To Work After the Storm (Ref. The Hartford Courant)

FEBRUARY
12TH


1784
Ice flows were spotted in the Gulf of Mexico after passing from the Mississippi River. Ice actually blocked the river at New Orleans, LA. This was only one of two times that this occurred, the other during the Great Arctic Outbreak of 1899.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1899
The low temperature of + 4 degrees Fahrenheit, high of 10 degrees Fahrenheit was recorded on this date in Washington.
Richmond, VA had a high temperature for the day of only 11 °F for the second consecutive day matching the coldest day on record for the city (records since 1897).
The low was 6 °F on this snowy day with 7.5 inches of snow in Richmond, Virginia making this the coldest snowy day in Richmond records.
(Ref. Richmond Weather Records).

The Great Blizzard Snow of February 12-14 was the second heaviest snowstorm in Washington, DC history occurred between February 12th-14th bringing 20.5 inches of new snow and a snow depth on the ground of 34.2 inches. Cape May, NJ received 34 inches of snow.
(Bob Ryan's 2000 Almanac)

Texas and the eastern plains experienced their coldest morning of modern record. The mercury dipped to 8 degrees below zero at Fort Worth TX, and to 22 degrees below zero at Kansas City MO. The temperature at Camp Clarke Nebraska plunged to -47 degrees below zero to establish a new record for the state. In the eastern United States, Washington DC hit 15 degrees below zero, while Charleston SC received four inches of snow.
(David Ludlum)

On the 12th a storm began to track up the East Coast from Florida. The storm developed rapidly and passed just east of Norfolk on the 13th (See 13th)
(p.53 Washington Weather Book 2002 by Ambrose, Henry, Weiss)
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1934
Calgary, and Alberta, Canada experienced their warmest February day on record as the high temperature soared to 66 °F.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1945
Two strong tornadoes hit central Alabama. An F4 in Sumter County struck a 41-car train. 39 of the 41 cars derailed as the train crossed the trestle over the Suchanoochee River. The conductor and fireman on the train were killed and many others injured. Later that day, the north side of Montgomery was devastated by another F3 that killed 26 people.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1958
Snow blanketed northern Florida, with Tallahassee reporting a record 2.8 inches. A ship in the Gulf of Mexico, 25 miles south of Fort Morgan, AL, reported zero visibility in heavy snow on the afternoon of the 12th. (12th-13th)
(The Weather Channel)

1960
A snowstorm in the Deep South produced more than a foot of snow in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
(David Ludlum)

This storm dropped 6 inches to a foot all the way from Louisiana to Canada. There six fatalities attributed to the storm in Virginia.
(Ref. Virginia Weather History)

1965
Omaha, Nebraska was buried under 18.5 inches of snow over a two day period. This is the city's second greatest snowfall on record.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1981
The record temperature drop from today's maximum to tomorrow's minimum in Annandale, VA was a 52 °F drop from 62 °F Feb. 11, 1981 to a min. of 10 °F on the 12th caused by a strong cold front.
(The Annandale Weather Records)


1987
A storm in the eastern United States produced high winds from North Carolina to Maine. A storm in the western United States produced up to thirty inches of snow in the Sierra Nevada Range of California.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1988
A classic nor'easter formed off the Carolina coast and intensified as it moved up the Atlantic coast bringing heavy snow to the northeastern United States. Totals ranged up to 26 inches at Camden NY and Chester MA. Arctic cold gripped the north central United States Duluth MN was the cold spot in the nation with a low of 32 degrees below zero.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1989
Unseasonably mild weather prevailed across Alaska. Morning lows of 29 degrees at Anchorage and 31 degrees at Fairbanks were actually warmer than those in northern Florida.
(The National Weather Summary)

In Florida, snow in Tampa and Daytona Beach occurred as Florida experienced its most widespread snowstorm in history. Two inches fell in Savannah, GA; one of only 3 times that snowfall in the city required a ruler for measurement. Charleston, SC picked up close to 4 inches.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1990
Strong southerly winds ahead of an arctic cold front pushed temperatures into the 70s as far north as Iowa and Nebraska. Twenty-one cities in the central United States, seven in Iowa, reported record high temperatures for the date. Lincoln NE reported a record high of 73 degrees, and the afternoon high of 59 degrees at Minneapolis MN smashed their previous record for the date by twelve degrees. Springfield IL reported a record forty-eight consecutive days with above normal temperatures.
(The National Weather Summary)

1999
The maximum temperature for the date is 74 °F in Washington, DC.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

2006
The snow on the 11th and 12th was the main event of February 2006 at the Annandale Barcroft Hills Weather Center. The storm total was 12.5 inches from 1500 of the 11th until 0735 of the 12th or a 16.5 hour period. It was the tenth greatest storm total in the last 26 years and the fourth greatest February snow in the last 26 years. It also ranked eighth in the greatest 24 hour snow total in the last 26 years. The total snowfall for February was 13.3 inches and was +6.7 inches more than the 26-year average and only five Februarys have had more snow. See snow time lapse at -
(Ref. West Henrico Co. - Glen Allen Website)
See Snow Storm in Time Lapse

February 11 and 12th of 2006 New York, NY, endured its heaviest snowstorm of record. Sometimes snow fell at a rate of 3 to 4 inches per hour this accompanied at times by lightning and thunder. Central Park received its all-time record storm total of 26.9 inches of snow.
(Weather Guide Calendar with Phenomenal Weather Events 2007 Accord Publishing, USA)

A major winter storm dumped significant snow across much of northern and central Virginia. Up to 15 inches of snow fell in the northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, DC snowfall totals of 5 to 8 inches were common as far south as Charlottesville, Fredericksburg and areas north of Richmond. Nearly 300,000 customers in Northern Virginia were without power as a result of the storm due to downed trees and power lines.
(Ref. Virginia Weather History)
Ref. (NWS Ranking for Storms between 1956 and 2011) This is the 26th Worst Snowstorm

2010
On February 11-12, a storm spread snow across the Deep South, dumping 12.5 inches on Dallas- Fort Worth, Texas, establishing a 24-hour record. Every southern including Florida, witnessed snowfall with this weather system. Satellite images depicted at least some snow on the ground in all of the lower 48 states on February 12.
(Ref. Weatherwise U.S. Weather Highlights of 2010 page 2 )

2014
TOP 10 U.S. Weather Events 2014 Valentine's Day Snowstorm: February 11-14. From the Midwest to the Northeast, this storm dropped six inches or more of snow where 63 million people reside. Over a foot of snow buried areas from North Carolina to Maine. The ranking as a Category 4 storm for the Southeast by the Regional Snowfall Index (RSI) means this was an historical storm for that region. Twenty-five deaths were blamed on the storm.
Ref. (Weatherwise MAY-JUNE 2015, page 14)

FEBRUARY
13TH


1784
Ice floes blocked the Mississippi River at New Orleans, and then passed into the Gulf of Mexico. The only other time this occurred was during the Great Arctic Outbreak of 1899.
(David Ludlum)

1885
The Friday the 13th avalanche at Alva, UT killed sixteen persons, and left thirteen others buried for twelve hours before being rescued.
(David Ludlum)

1899
The "Snow King" storm was a its peak on the afternoon of the 13th with wind speeds of 35 mph and gust of 48 mph and a temperature that remained in the single digits throughout the storm. By the evening of the 13th the storm had ended with a total of 34.2 inches of snow on the ground in Washington. Of that amount, about 20 inches of snow fell during the blizzard. The water equivalent of all the snow events was 3.69 inches. Over 40 inches of snow was on the ground in areas south and east of DC. Drifting was generally 4 to 6 feet ;however, some drifts were as high as 15 feet. In areas of upper Montgomery County, railroad cuts filled with drifting snow to a depth of 20 feet. Both PA and OH had an all time record low temperature of -39 °F, Staunton, VA had 40-50 inches of snow on the ground and Salisbury had more than 50 inches.
(p.53 Washington Weather Book 2002 by Ambrose, Henry, Weiss)

The lowest temperature ever for Fla. In the city of Tallahassee it was -2 °F.
(Bob Ryan's 2002 Almanac)
It was the coldest morning of record along the Gulf Coast. The temperature dipped to 7 above zero at New Orleans LA and Pensacola FL, and plunged to -1 degree at Mobile AL. The mercury dipped to -2 degrees at Tallahassee, the coldest reading of record for the state of Florida.
(David Ludlum)
Minden, LA -16°, trace of snow recorded in Fort Meyers, the farthest south that snow had been officially recorded in the US until the Miami snow of 1977.
(Bob Ryan's 2002 Almanac)
The temperature in Louisiana plunged to -16° below zero, a record for the state. The low temperature of + 4 degrees Fahrenheit, high of 11 degrees Fahrenheit was recorded on this date in Washington, DC.
(Ref. High and Low Temperature for the US )
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

New Orleans, Louisiana:
After weeks of bitter cold, residents of New Orleans find ice 2 inches (5 cm) thick on the Mississippi River. The river reportedly is frozen from its source in Minnesota almost to its mouth in the Gulf of Mexico. Chunks of ice float out into the Gulf.
(Ref. WxDoctor)

1887
Chicago, Illinois:
Chicago's temperature rises from 0 °F on the 13th to 58 °F on the 14th.
The 58 °F rise is the biggest day-to-day rise on record. The city will experience a similar jump in temperature in March 1972.
(Ref. WxDoctor)

1905
Morning lows of -29 degrees at Pond Arkansas -40 degrees at Lebanon Kansas, and -40° at Warsaw Missouri established all-time records for those three states.
(The Weather Channel)
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1917
The minimum temperature for the date is +2 °F in Washington, DC.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1923
The morning low plunged to -58° at HouseRiver and Fort McMurray, AlbertaCanada.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1951
The maximum temperature for the date is 72 °F in Washington, DC.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1958
Tallahassee, FL recorded their largest snowfall on record. Close to 3 inches fell in 5 hours during the early hours.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1962
St. Louis, MO recorded their low temperature record for the month as they dropped to -18°.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1981
The highest barometric pressure ever recorded at the Reagan National Airport of 31.06 inches of mercury the previous record was 31.01 set on January 27, 1927.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

The highest barometric pressure ever recorded at the Annandale Weather Center the maximum pressure for 2-12-1981 was 31.11 inches.
(Ref. Annandale Weather Records)

The highest barometric pressure ever recorded at Richmond International Airport was 31.04 inches.
(Ref. Richmond Weather Records)

The highest barometric pressure ever recorded in the world from 1871 to 1970 was 32.005 inches in Agata, Siberia on 12-31-1968. This pressure record was broken Dec. 29, 2004 when a pressure of 32.25 inches was recorded at Tonsontsengel, Mongolia .
(The Ohio Weather Library Atmospheric Pressure Records)

1985
The Ohio Valley was in the grips of a major snow storm. Snowplows were abandoned in Ohio as the snow was whipped into huge drifts. Over 1 foot of snow fell in eastern Kentucky with drifts as high as 15 feet. Over 2 feet of snow in parts of North Carolina.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1987
A storm in the western United States produced heavy rain over central California. Chews Ridge reported nearly eleven inches of rain in 24 hours, and extensive flooding occurred in San Benito County. The Mount Rose ski resort in Nevada experienced a whiteout with 60 mph winds and 36 inches of snow.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1988
Strong winds in the wake of a storm in the northeastern United States, gusting to 60 mph at Oswego NY, produced six-foot snowdrifts in northeastern Ohio. High winds in the mountains of Utah, gusting to 106 mph at the Snowbird ski resort, contributed to a forty-car pile-up on Interstate 15, near the town of Bluffdale.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1989
Showers and thunderstorms produced locally heavy rain and flash flooding from central Texas to western Pennsylvania. Up to ten inches of rain deluged western Kentucky in two days, with five-day totals ranging up to 13.16 inches at Gilbertsville Dam KY. Flooding caused tens of millions of dollars damage, including 18 million dollars damage at Frankfort KY.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1990
A slow moving cold front brought heavy snow to Utah, Colorado and Wyoming. Big Horn WY reported 15 inches of snow, and up to 22 inches was reported in Utah. In Colorado, 8 to 12 inches of snow fell over the northwest suburbs of Denver, while 16 to 22 inches was reported in the high mountain elevations west of Fort Collins. Strong winds accompanied the heavy snow, and bitter cold weather followed in its wake.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1994
Good thing a picnic was not taking place. A F0 tornado hit Kamper’s West Park near Warrenton, OR. It lifted approximately 20 wooden picnic tables (some to 40 feet above the ground) and threw them 200 yards.
(Ref. Weather Guide Calendar with Phenomenal Weather Events 2011 Accord Pub. 2010, USA)

1997
During the morning hours, a heavy wet snow blanketed much of Arkansas. The snow was quick hitting, lasting generally less than 6 hours, accumulated fast enough to overcome the melting effects of a warm ground. In general, northern and central Arkansas received 3 to 6 inches of snow with some areas reporting 8 or more inches between Little Rock and Russellville and Heber Springs.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1999
The low at Fairbanks, AK dropped to -36° marking the 19th consecutive day with low temperatures of -35° degrees or colder, setting an all-time record for the location.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2000
Late this day and into the early morning hours of the 14th, severe thunderstorms spawned 6 tornadoes over southwestern Georgia that killed 19, injured 202, and caused $35 million dollars in damages. Camilla was hit the worst as an F3 tornado killed 11 and injured 175 in the town.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2010
The National Operational Hydrologic Center reported that 49 of the 50 states in the United States had some snow cover in part of the state during the AM. Depths of 1.5 inches as far south as north central Florida's Panhandle but there was none in Hawaii. Mauna Kea occasionally has snow cover but not at this time.
(Ref. Weather Guide Calendar with Phenomenal Weather Events 2012 Accord Pub. 2011, USA)

2014
Roanoke's final snowfall measurement was 19 inches, the third-largest storm total on record and the largest 24- hour accumulation to hit the city in 18 years. The total easily surpassed the December 2009 total, when a storm dumped 17.8 inches. The NWS in Blacksburg registered 20.1 inches by 5 PM, making it the third-largest storm total recorded there as well. Unofficial spotter reports from around the region were even higher, with some places receiving upwards of 25 inches by late afternoon.
The storm total in West Henrico CO. at Glen Allen was 5.7 inches. The snow started at 1627 on the 12th and ended at 2115 on the 13th. The maximum one hour snowfall intensity was one inch between 2145 and 2245.
(Ref. The Roanoke Times)
(Ref. NWS Deep Snow in Blacksburg)
(Ref. L. Koontz)

TOP 10 U.S. Weather Events 2014
Valentine's Day Snowstorm: February 11-14. From the Midwest to the Northeast, this storm dropped six inches or more of snow where 63 million people reside. Over a foot of snow buried areas from North Carolina to Maine. The ranking as a Category 4 storm for the Southeast by the Regional Snowfall Index (RSI) means this was an historical storm for that region. Twenty-five deaths were blamed on the storm.
Ref. (Weatherwise MAY-JUNE 2015, page 14)

FEBRUARY   Happy Valentine's Day  
14TH


1798
The Norfolk Herald on Feb. 17 and the New York Spectator on March 3 reported snow in Norfolk "in many places up to six feet deep," the greatest snowfall ever experienced. Some accounts claim that 40 inches of snow fell in one night in Norfolk and along the coast, but no snow fell 25 miles inland. Over northeast North Carolina, 16 inches of snow was reported. Wind blowing from the north to northwest off the Chesapeake Bay may have enhanced the snowfall in the Norfolk area, much like the winds blowing across Lake Erie produce "lake effect snow" in New York.
(Ref. Virginia Weather History)

1895
One of the Deep South's greatest snowstorms took place with the following reported snow totals: Rayne, LA: 24 inches, Glaveston, TX: 15 inches and 8.2 inches at New Orleans, LA.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1899
A great blizzard ended along the eastern United States giving Washington DC 20.5 inches of snow to bring their total snow depth to nearly three feet and ended here late in the evening of the 14th. The storm produced 36 inches of snow at Cape May NJ.
(Ref. Virginia Weather History)
(David Ludlum)

The blizzard ended on Valentine's Day, dropping 16.3 inches of snow in Richmond and giving Washington, DC a snow depth of 34 inches. The city recorded its greatest monthly total with 35.2 inches and its greatest seasonal snowfall total with 54.4 inches. For the month, Harrisonburg recorded 47 inches, Winchester 39 inches and Fredericksburg 35 inches. Warrenton recorded the state monthly snowfall record with 54 inches.
(Ref. Virginia Weather History)

1940
Famous Valley Storm barometer was 29.04 NW wind at 34 mph and rain changing to snow and the temperature fell to 10 °F.

A Saint Valentine's Day Blizzard hit the northeastern United States Up to a foot and a half of snow blanketed southern New England, and whole gales accompanied the heavy snow stranding many in downtown Boston.
(David Ludlum)

1947
The Weather Bureau commissioned its first weather radar at Washington, DC. The radar network would only grow slowly over the next few years, but eventually would become the backbone of the National Weather Service's warning system.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1949
Late afternoon heavy snows began on Valentine's Day in Boise, ID and by 5:00 am the following morning, 14 new inches of snow had fallen.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1951
The maximum temperature was 70 °F in Washington, DC.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1978
A winter storm brought freezing precipitation and high winds to eastern Colorado, knocking out power to thousands of people, some for more than a week. The ice accumulated to a thickness of five inches in some locations.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1979
DCA had a minimum temperature of 7°F and the NW had temperatures as low as -24° below zero.
(Bob Ryan's 2002 Almanac)

1987
A powerful storm spawned severe thunderstorms in Texas and Oklahoma, and produced heavy snow in the Rocky Mountain Region. Snowfall totals in Colorado ranged up to 27 inches at Telluride. Straight-line winds gusting to 104 mph howled through Guadalupe Pass in West Texas.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1988
Strong northerly winds ushered arctic air into the north central United States Snow and high winds created blizzard conditions in Minnesota and the Dakotas. Winds gusted to 56 mph at Rapid City SD, and reached 65 mph at Cody WY.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1989
While Valentine's Day was a soggy one in the Ohio Valley and the Tennessee Valley, unseasonably warm weather prevailed in the southeastern United States Seventeen cities reported record high temperatures for the date as readings warmed into the 70s and 80s.
(The National Weather Summary)

1990
Valentine's Day was a snowy one for many parts of the western and central United States five to ten inches of snow fell across Iowa. Six to 12 inches of snow blanketed northern Illinois, and strong northeasterly winds accompanied the heavy snow. Air traffic came to a halt during the evening at O'Hare Airport in Chicago, where 9.7 inches of snow was reported. More than 250 traffic accidents were reported around Des Moines IA during the evening rush hour. An ice storm glazed east central sections of Illinois, causing twelve million dollars damage in Champaign County alone. But it was warm in the Eastern United States
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

A glaze an inch thick accumulated in Fort Wayne, IN. A combination of freezing rain and sleet piled ice over four inches deep in South Bend.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

The maximum temperature record for the date is 73°F in Washington, DC.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1999
One snowboarder died and others narrowly escaped injury after being caught in a massive avalanche on Mount Baker in northwestern Washington.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2004
Valentine's Day was white as Dallas, TX saw 3 inches of snow wreaked havoc with travel. The greatest snowfall since 1978 caused numerous traffic accidents, power outages and flight cancellations at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2007
A paraglider survived temperatures near -50 below zero when sucked up by a thunderstorm updraft greater than 30,000 feet above New South Wales. The person passed out for greater than 30 minutes due to the cold and lack of oxygen which may have helped her avoid what should have been certain death.
(Weather Guide Calendar with Phenomenal Weather Events 2007 Accord Publishing, USA)

The Valentine's Day Storm was a massive winter storm that affected most of the eastern half of North America, starting on February 12, 2007 and peaking on Valentine's Day, February 14. The storm produced heavy snowfalls across the midwestern United States from Nebraska to Ohio and produced similar conditions across parts of the northeastern United States. Significant sleet and freezing rain fell across the southern Ohio Valley and affected portions of the east coast of the United States, including the cities of Boston, Baltimore, Washington, DC., New York City and Philadelphia.
(Ref. Wikipedia.org (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_2007_North_America_Winter_Storm)
Ref. (NWS Ranking for Storms between 1956 and 2011) This is the 14th Worst Snowstorm

The Annandale Weather Station received two inches of sleet. The storm started at 0310 on the 13th and ended at 0715 on the 14th giving 2.7 inches of frozen precipitation of which about 2.0 was sleet. On the morning of the 15th one could walk on top of the hard frozen surface without breaking through.
(Ref. Annandale Weather Records)

2014
TOP 10 U.S. Weather Events 2014 Valentine's Day Snowstorm: February 11-14. From the Midwest to the Northeast, this storm dropped six inches or more of snow where 63 million people reside. Over a foot of snow buried areas from North Carolina to Maine. The ranking as a Category 4 storm for the Southeast by the Regional Snowfall Index (RSI) means this was an historical storm for that region. Twenty-five deaths were blamed on the storm.
Ref. (Weatherwise MAY-JUNE 2015, page 14)

FEBRUARY
15TH


1895
A big Gulf snowstorm produced six inches at Brownsville TX and Mobile AL, 15 inches at Galveston, TX, and 24 inches of snow at Rayne LA in 24 hours. Snow fell at the very mouth of the Mississippi River. Houston TX received 22 inches of snow, and nine inches blanketed New Orleans LA.
(David Ludlum)

1899
The minimum temperature for the date is -6 °F in Washington, DC.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1902
Charlotte, NC was in the middle of a three day snowstorm over which time 17.4 inches of snow fell, their biggest snowstorm on record.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1936
The temperature at Parshall North Dakota plunged to 60 degrees below zero to establish a state record. On the 6th of July that same year the temperature at Steele, North Dakota hit 121 degrees, also a state record.
(David Ludlum)
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1949
The maximum temperature for the date is 73 °F in Washington, DC.
(Bob Ryan's 2002 Almanac)

1958
The fifth greatest snow for Washington, DC was 14.5 inches. Baltimore, Maryland had 22 inches of snow and 5,000 people were stranded at Bowie Race Track
(Bob Ryan's 2002 Almanac)

The storm center developed over Texas on Valentine's Day. The storm tracked rapidly southeast into a position near Mobile out all about, on February 15, and then it recurved to the Northeast and began to intensify. The storm center past over Columbia, South Carolina and deepened quickly as it moved northeast across North Carolina and off the Virginia Capes. By midnight, of the 16th, the low was just east of the Delmarva Peninsula, with a central pressure of 28.80 inches. Between 14 to 18 inches of snow fell across the Washington area. Winds were sustained at 30 to 40 mph for several days after the storm, causing terrible drifting, in many instances to at least 6 feet. Snowfall rates during the storm were among the heaviest ever record at National Airport 11 inches of snow fell and just a 5 hour period and over 3 inches of snow fell during a one hour period. Generally, a snowfall of 10 to 20 inches occurred from Alabama to a Massachusetts. Up to 30 inches was reported in North East Pennsylvania. The heaviest snow than was about 50 mi. wide and passed directly through the Washington-Baltimore area. Within this band, 15 to 20 inches of snow fell, with 22 inches of snow reported it in the northern suburbs of Baltimore.
(Ref. p. 66 Washington Weather Book 2002 by Ambrose, Henry, Weiss)
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)
Ref. (NWS Ranking for Storms between 1956 and 2011) This is the 11th Worst Snowstorm

1982
A "meteorological bomb" exploded in the Atlantic southeast of Newfoundland. The term is used to describe a storm that rapidly intensifies over the ocean. An intense cyclone off the Atlantic coast capsized a drilling rig killing 84 persons, and sank a Soviet freighter resulting in 33 more deaths. The cyclone produced 80 mph winds that whipped the water into waves fifty feet high.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)
(David Ludlum)

1987
A storm crossing the central United States produced severe thunderstorms that spawned tornadoes in Louisiana and Mississippi. Tornadoes injured four persons at Pierre Pass LA; three persons at Tangipahoa LA, two persons at Lexie, MS and two persons at Nicholson MS. Thunderstorm winds gusting to 100 mph killed one person south of Sulphur LA. Jackson MS was drenched with 1.5 inches of rain in ten minutes.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1988
Low pressure brought heavy snow to parts of Michigan, with eleven inches reported at Rogers City. A cold front crossing the Northern Rockies produced wind gusts to 74 mph at Livingston, MT, and created blizzard conditions in Idaho.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1989
Thirty-seven cities in the southeastern United States reported record high temperatures for the date. The afternoon high of 80 degrees at Atlanta GA was a February record. Highs of 79 degrees at Chattanooga TN, 84 degrees at Columbia SC and 85 degrees at New Orleans LA equaled February records.
(The National Weather Summary)

1990
Snow, sleet and freezing rain along an arctic cold front prevailed from the north central United States to the Northern Atlantic Coast Region. High winds created near blizzard conditions in southern Wyoming, closing Interstate 80, while up to eleven inches of snow fell across central Minnesota.
Heavy snow also blanketed the Northern Atlantic Coast States, with ten inches reported at Buffalo, NY and Mount Washington, NH. Freezing rain over southern New England knocked out electricity to more than 10,000 homes in the western suburbs of Boston, MA.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1993
Heavy snow fell along the Missouri-Arkansas border. 10 to 20 inches was quite common, with Mountain Home, AR recording 24 inches of snow. Cape Girardeau, MO received 6 inches of snow in just one hour and 20 minutes.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2000
Amarillo, TX, set unusual temperature records today. The high of 82 degrees smashed the old daily high of 76 degrees set in 1921, and the morning low of 41 degrees broke the old high low record for the date of 40 degrees (also set in 1921).
(Ref. Weather Guide Calendar with Phenomenal Weather Events 2011 Accord Pub. 2010, USA)

2003
On this date through the 17th, the President's Day Storm buried the U.S. East Coast. Many all-time snowfall records were broken, including those in Baltimore, MD and Boston, MA. The storm system brought accumulations of 1 to 2 feet with snowfall amounts exceeding 35 inches across parts of northeastern West Virginia, the heaviest snow accumulations to the East Coast since the Blizzard of 1996.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)
Map of the Snowfall Amounts

2004
Tennessee:
Up to 11 inches of snow fall in areas south of Nashville, causing power outages and producing hazardous driving conditions.
(Ref. WxDoctor)
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

FEBRUARY
16TH

1855
Following the disastrous Black Sea storm during the Crimean War in November 1854, Emperor Napoleon of France ordered a telegraphic network of weather observers for the purpose of providing storm warnings. By the following year, stations would stretch across France and all of Europe.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1899
Washington DC received 1.26 inches of rain in six hours atop a snow cover more than 30 inches deep making it the soggiest day of record.
(Sandra and TI Richard Sanders - 1987)

1900
Washington DC had the seventh greatest snowfall on record on February the 16th - 17th with 14.3 inches of new snow.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1903
The temperature at Pokegama Dam, MN plunged to 59 °F below zero to establish a state record until February 2,1996 at -60 °F below zero
(David Ludlum)

1943
Record cold prevailed in the northeastern United States The mercury plunged to 43 degrees below zero at Concord NH, and to -39 degrees at Portland ME. The morning low of -32 degrees at Falls Village CT established a state record, yet the afternoon high that day was 20 degrees above zero.
(David Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)

1954
The maximum temperature for the date is 75 °F in Washington, DC.
(Bob Ryan's 2002 Almanac)

1958 Over 14 inches of snow fell in Northern Virginia in the Washington area in a mid-February storm. Transportation was paralyzed. Two deaths in Virginia were attributed to the storm.
(Ref. Virginia Weather History)
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)
Ref. (NWS Ranking for Storms between 1956 and 2011) This is the 11th Worst Snowstorm

1959
A blizzard paralyzed Newfoundland, Canada with drifts as high as 16.7 feet. 6 people died and 70,000 were left without power.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1987
A winter storm produced snow and ice in the Ohio Valley and the Appalachian Region. Snowfall totals in Virginia ranged up to 14 inches around Farmville, while Granville NC reported eight inches of sleet and ice. Freezing rain in eastern North Carolina caused extensive damage to power lines. Gales lashed the coast of Virginia and North Carolina.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1988
Santa Ana winds in southern California gusted to 50 mph in the Rancho Cucamonga area. Quiet weather prevailed across the rest of the nation.
(National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1989
A surge of arctic air produced all-time record high barometric pressure readings of 31.08 inches at Duluth MN, 30.97 inches at Chicago IL and 30.94 inches at South Bend IN. Readings of 31.00 inches at Milwaukee WI and 30.98 inches at Rockford, IL tied their all-time records. Unseasonably warm weather prevailed across the southeastern United States Highs of 81 degrees at Athens GA, 87 degrees at Charleston SC, 85 degrees at Macon GA, and 86 degrees at Savannah GA were records for February.
(The National Weather Summary)

1990
Strong thunderstorms developing ahead of an arctic cold front was responsible for producing severe weather across the southeastern United States between mid-morning on the 15th and early evening on the 16th. Thunderstorms spawned thirteen tornadoes, including one which, prior to dawn on the 16th, injured eleven persons near Carrollton GA. There were also 121 reports of large hail or damaging winds. A late afternoon thunderstorm on the 15th produced baseball size hail at Jackson MS, and prior to dawn on the 16th, a thunderstorm produced high winds that injured four persons at Goodwater, AL.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1993
Portions of the District received 1 to 3 inches of snow before turning to rain, melting the snow. The higher snow amounts were in the northwest portion.
(Ref. Examiner.Com - DC Weather by Scott Summer)

1995
The deadliest tornado of 1995, an F3, killed 6 people in Alabama at 5 o'clock in the morning. The Joppa Elementary School was destroyed.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1996
Annandale Barcroft Hills Weather Center recorded 10.6 inches of very light snow. The ratio of water to snow was 1 to 23.1.
(Annandale Weather Records)

On the 16th, another Nor'easter moved up the coast dumping 6 to 12 inches of snow in a swath across Virginia from Nottoway to Fredericksburg with Charlottesville on the west side of the heavy band and Richmond on the east side.
(Ref. Virginia Weather History)

A strong "Alberta Clipper", diving southeast from the upper Midwest into the deep south, linked up with subtropical moisture lurking along the southeast U.S. coast to develop a classic nor'easter, which moved from northeast South Carolina to off the Virginia Capes during the day on the 16th. As the area of low pressure intensified, it wrapped Atlantic moisture well to the west, where modified arctic air was pouring in from southern Canada. The result was the fourth storm of 6 inches or greater this season for the city. Snow totals across the city ranged from 7 to 10 inches, bringing seasonal totals in excess of 4 feet to the northwest section of town. The legendary winter of 1898-99 had 54.4 inches in Washington, DC.
(Ref. Examiner.Com - DC Weather by Scott Summer)



1996
A coastal storm dumped heavy snow on the East Coast, shattering many all-time seasonal snowfall records (at that time), including: Lynchburg VA with 51.3 inches for the year; Washington Dulles Airport, VA with 53.4 inches; Washington National Airport with 40.8 inches; Baltimore, MD with 54.9 inches; Philadelphia, PA with 55.9 inches; Hartford/Bradley, CT at 90.2 inches and Providence, RI with 78 inches. A coastal storm produced heavy snow along the East Coast to push seasonal snowfall totals to new records at several locations. The following cities set new all-time seasonal snowfall records: Lynchburg, Virginia - 8.1" new, 51.3" total Washington/Dulles, Virginia - 7.5" new, 53.4" total Washington/National, DC - 6.8" new, 40.8" total Baltimore, Maryland - 9.8" new, 54.9" total Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - 7.5" new, 55.9" total Hartford/Bradley, Connecticut - 10.3" new, 90.2" total Providence, Rhode Island - 7.0" new, 78.0" total
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2001
A car often is a poor place of shelter from a tornado; they can be lifted, rolled, bounced, crumpled, etc. A lady abandoned her car for a ditch as a tornado approached Mississippi Holmes County State Park; the car was blown on top of her; she died.
(Ref. Weather Guide Calendar with Phenomenal Weather Events 2011 Accord Pub. 2010, USA)

2003
The 5th largest snowstorm at Annandale-Barcroft Hills Weather Center in the last 23 years with a total of 14.3 inches and was the most snow since January- 6-8 -1996 when 18.1 inches was recorded. This MAJOR storm snow total included 1.3 inches on the 2/15/2003 and 13.0 inches on 2/16/2003
Ref. (NWS Ranking for Storms between 1956 and 2011) This is the 4th Worst Snowstorm
(Annandale Weather Records)

The President's Day snowstorm was ending across the mid-Atlantic with widespread whiteout conditions across Virginia, Maryland, DC and southern Pennsylvania. Travel was paralyzed across the region as 2 to 4 feet of snow fell across a wide area. The highest storm total was 49 inches at Keyser's Ridge in Garrett County, MD. The 16.2 inches that fell at Reagan National Airport was low compared to other amounts observed, but it was still enough to rank as the 6th worst storm in DC’s history. Even President Bush had to deal with the record snowstorm in the Washington, DC area. He had to return to the capital from Camp David in a motorcade. The trip that normally took thirty minutes by helicopter took 2 1/2 hours by automobile over snow-covered roads.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2015
Glen Allen had 5.3 on the 16th and 0.9 inches on the 17th for a storm total of 6.2 inches. The Richmond International Airport had 6.2 on the 16th and 1.0 inches on the 17th for a storm total of 7.2 inches. See the February 17th for the summary on this storm

FEBRUARY
17TH


1748
Charleston, South Carolina:
The coldest temperature ever recorded in the Colonial South: 10 °F.
(Ref. WxDoctor)

1926
Binham Canyon, Utah:
A deadly avalanche, Utah's worst, demolishes 14 miner's cottages and a three-story boarding house. Thirty-six are killed and 13 injured.
(Ref. WxDoctor)

1930
Eureka CA reported an all-time record high of 85 degrees, a record which lasted until September of 1983.
(The Weather Channel)

1936
The temperature at McIntosh SD plunged to 58 degrees below zero to establish a state record.
(David Ludlum)
Both North and South Dakota would go on to set all-time heat records in the summer of 1936. 121° in Steel, North Dakota on July 6th. Gannvalley, South Dakota had 120 °F on July 5, 1936.
(Ref. Weather Guide Calendar with Phenomenal Weather Events 2012 Accord Pub. 2011, USA)

1958
The minimum temperature today was +5 °F in Washington, DC.
(Bob Ryan's 2002 Almanac)

Ten Degrees Below Zero in Rockingham Co.- The coldest in ten Years
(Ref. Daily News Record Newspaper - Harrisonburg, Virginia)

The greatest snowstorm of the mid 20th century struck the northeastern United States. The storm produced 30 inches of snow in interior New England, including more than 19 inches in 24 hours at the Boston Airport. The same storm produced up to three feet of snow in the Middle Atlantic Coast Region, with 14 inches at Washington DC, and 15.5 inches at Baltimore MD. The Poconos had 36 inches and the Catskills got 30 inches. The storm resulted in 43 deaths and 500 million dollars damage over the Middle Atlantic Coast States.
(David Ludlum)

1962
Asheville, NC recorded a temperature of -23° for the coldest reading ever in North Carolina outside of the mountains.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1971
The weather was changeable in NW Pennsylvania. Along a 1-mile stretch of I-80 in Venango County, 9 accidents occurred due to icy roads. In Sharon, an unusual wake-up call for a man when he was “knocked” from his bed when lightning hit his house. A fire also resulted.
(Ref. Weather Guide Calendar with Phenomenal Weather Events 2011 Accord Pub. 2010, USA)

1974
Record snowfall occurred at Lakelse Lake, British Columbia Canada as 46.5 inches fell over 24 hours. This record was broke 2/11/1999.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1976
The maximum temperature for the date is 79 °F in Washington, DC a hot spell for time of year National Airport 79°/58°, 73° on 16th, 76° on 18th.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1987
A couple of winter storms, one off the Atlantic coast and another over the south central United States, produced snow and ice from the Mississippi Valley to the Mid Atlantic Coast Region. Freezing rain produced a coat of ice three inches thick in northern South Carolina, and 30,000 homes around Pee Dee were left without electricity. Parts of south central Kentucky were without electricity for three days following the storm, which was their worst in 35 years.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1988
Santa Ana winds in southern California gusted to 63 mph at Ontario. Heavy snow blanketed parts of Colorado, with 11 inches reported at Strontia.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1989
Low pressure off the Washington coast produced more than a foot of snow in the Cascade Mountains, and more than three inches of rain along the Northern Pacific Coast. Spokane WA was blanketed with 13 inches of snow. Cold arctic air in the Upper Midwest produced all-time record high barometric pressure readings of 31.10 inches at Duluth MN, 31.09 inches at Minneapolis MN, and 31.21 inches at Bismarck ND.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1990
The biggest winter storm of the season hit the Pacific Coast Region. In northern California, snow fell along the coast, and two-day totals in the mountains ranged up to 67 inches at Echo Summit. Snowfall totals in the mountains of southern California ranged up to 48 inches at Green Valley, with 46 inches reported at Big Bear. Up to two feet of snow blanketed the southern Cascade Mountains of Oregon, and 20 to 35 inches were reported in the northern Cascades of Oregon. Up to ten inches of snow blanketed Seattle WA.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1998
Annandale - Barcroft Hills Weather Center had a spring like thunderstorm with 1.73 inches of rain.
(Ref. Annandale Weather Records)

2003
The 5th largest snowstorm at Annandale-Barcroft Hills Weather Center in the last 23 years with a total of 15.8 inches and was the most snow since January- 6-8 -1996 when 18.1 inches was recorded.
This MAJOR storm had a 2/15/2003 snow total of 1.3 inches, 2/16/2003 snow total of 13.0 inches, 2/17/2003 snow total of 1.5 inches. Yet another 7.7 inches of snow would fall before the month was over.
(Ref. Annandale Weather Records)

Feb. 14th-18th: A complex storm system produced copious amounts of snow and sleet across the region. Nicknamed the President’s Weekend Snowstorm of 2003, it ranked in the top 5 of all-time regional snowstorms. The storm took a heavy toll on residents, structures, transportation systems, emergency responders, businesses, livestock, and travelers. Roads were covered by deep snow and sleet and were nearly impassible. Emergency personnel and those needing emergency transport had to be taken to their destinations in 4 wheel drives or military vehicles (see article “Loudoun and Fauquier Counties’ Finest Assist the National Weather Service during Snowstorm”). Heavy accumulations weighed down on buildings and several structural collapses occurred.
Ref. (NWS Ranking for Storms between 1956 and 2011) This is the 4th Worst Snowstorm
(Ref. Wilson More Information on This Snow Storm)

2014
Chicago February 17, 2014 at 4:15 PM Oak Park had heavy snow today and a rumble of thunder too. I know thunder was reported in the area. Oak Park had 5-6 inches and it is still snowing lightly. Midway Airport has had 72.2 inches for the season as this afternoon. O’Hare is the official station for Chicago is now 5th all time!
(Ref.WGN-tv By Meteorologist Tom Skilling)

2015
Total snowfall for Glen Allen had 5.3 on the 16th and 0.9 inches on the 17th for a storm total of 6.2 inches. The Richmond International Airport had 6.2 on the 16th and 1.0 inches on the 17th for a storm total of 7.2 inches.
(Ref.NWS Forecast)
(Ref.Channal 12 Forecast)
(Ref.Weather Risk Forecast)
(Ref.NWS Snow Totals)
(Ref.Glen Allen hour by hour summary)
(Ref.Glen Allen storm video)
Boston's 2015 Snow Blitz-How Did it Compare? (Ref.Weatherwise-Sep/Oct2015-Vol 68/ number 5

FEBRUARY
18TH


1899
While much of the central and eastern United States was recovering from the most severe cold wave of modern history, the temperature at San Francisco soared to 80 degrees to establish a record for month of February.
(David Ludlum)

1903
The minimum temperature for the date is +3 °F in Washington, DC.
(Bob Ryan's 2002 Almanac)

1959
Some of the higher elevations of California were in the midst of a five-day storm, which produced 189 inches of snow, a single storm record for North America. (13th-19th)
(David Ludlum) (Bob Ryan's 2002 Almanac)

1960
On this date through the 20th, a huge snowstorm struck the northeast from Maryland to New England with up to 36 inches of snow through the 20th resulting in millions of dollars in damage. At least 26 people lost their lives.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1966
The temperature dropped to -49° at Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada, the city's all-time lowest recorded temperature.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1972
The "George Washington Day Snowstorm" occurred across the northeast. Blizzard conditions developed in Pennsylvania on the 19th forcing I-80 to close. Towanda, PA picked up 30 inches of snow. Winds up to 50 mph created snowdrifts up to 20 feet in some parts of north-central Pennsylvania. Thousands of motorists were stranded.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1976
The maximum temperature today was 76 °F in Washington, DC.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1979
The temperature at New York plunged to -52 degrees below zero to establish a state record. The President's Day snowstorm- A small, but intense low pressure system "exploded" near Cape Hatteras, North Carolina and moved slowly up the coast. Snow began to fall in the District during the afternoon of February 18th. On the morning of February 19th Washingtonians awoke to the biggest snowfall since the Knickerbockers snowstorm of 1922. National Airport received 18.7 inches of snow, while up to 26 inches of snow buried the eastern suburbs. With 6 inches of snow on the ground before the storm, the snow-covered in Washington area ranged from 24 to 30 inches on the ground. Forecasters believed the storm would move south of Washington and out to sea only grazing the area with a light snow of 1 to 3 inches. As snow piled up across the Washington area snow forecast were updated frequently to catch up with the rapid increase in accumulation. National Airport received 18.7 inches of snow and Dulles Airport received 16.3 inches of snow. .
(p. 81-86 Washington Weather Book 2002 by Ambrose, Henry, Weiss)
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)
Ref. (NWS Ranking for Storms between 1956 and 2011) This is the 22nd Worst Snowstorm

1981
The maximum temperature today was 76 °F in Washington, DC.
(Bob Ryan's 2002 Almanac)

1984
A major storm system dumped heavy snow in the Midwest with the heaviest amounts in Nebraska. 24 inches was recorded at Verdigre and 22 inches fell at Norfolk. 24-hour snowfall records were set at Norfolk and Grand Island. Winds up to 40 mph resulted in considerable blowing and drifting of the snow and many roads in northeastern Nebraska were made impassable.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1987
A small but intense low-pressure system combined with northerly upslope winds to produce eight inches of snow in five hours at Meeteetsie, WY, located southeast of Cody.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1988
Thunderstorms soaked the Central Gulf Coast Region with heavy rain. Totals in southern Louisiana ranged up to 8.50 inches near the town of Ridge, with 6.55 inches at Plaguemine. Thunderstorms in northern Florida drenched Apalachicola with 5.41 inches of rain in 24 hours, and produced wind gusts to 75 mph at Mayo.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1989
Low pressure off the coast of North Carolina brought freezing rain and heavy snow to Virginia and the Carolinas. Snowfall totals in Virginia ranged up to 18 inches at Franklin. Freezing rain reached a thickness of two inches around Charlotte NC.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1990
An intense but slow moving Pacific storm worked its way across Utah over a two-day period. The storm blanketed the valleys with 4 to 12 inches of snow, and produced up to 42 inches of snow in the mountains. Heavy snow also fell across northern Arizona. Williams received 22 inches of snow, and 12 inches was reported along the south rim of the Grand Canyon.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1992
A thunderstorm spawned an unusually strong F4 tornado for so far north for the time of the year in southern Van Wert County in Ohio. The tornado touched down just west of US Route 127 and traveled northeastward for about 3 miles. One house was completely leveled and 9 others experienced severe damage. 6 people were injured.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1996
Cuba's coldest morning on record was recorded as Bainoa dropped to 33°.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2003
The end of the 5th largest snowstorm at Annandale-Barcroft Hills Weather Center in the last 23 years and was the most snow since January- 6-8 -1996 when 18.1 inches was recorded.
This MAJOR storm had a snowfall total of 16.4 inches over a 54.25 hour period and includes 2/15/2003 snow total of 1.3 inches, 2/16/2003 snow total of 13.0 inches, 2/17/2003 snow total of 1.5 inches, 2/18/2003 snow total of 0.6 inches. This made the February total 23.7 inches and set a new record for February the old record was 23.2 inches in 1983. The total for the winter of 2002-03 of 37.7 inches was the most for a winter since 1995-96 when 61.2 inches occurred. Yet another 7.1 inches of snow would fall before the month was over. The most significant storm of the 2003-04 winter season impacting just about the entire state occurred from late February 14th through the morning hours on February 18th. Three rounds of precipitation resulted in 20 to 36 inches of snow across far northern Virginia, decreasing to between 7 and 12 inches of snow and sleet in the central part of the state, to mainly several inches of sleet and/or 1/4 to 1/2 inch of ice accretion in the south. A 24-hour snowfall of 16.7 inches at Ronald Reagan National Airport was the 5th highest on record. Charlottesville recorded almost 9 inches of sleet from the storm.
(Ref. Virginia Weather History)

Feb. 14th-18th: A complex storm system produced copious amounts of snow and sleet across the region. Nicknamed the President’s Weekend Snowstorm of 2003, it ranked in the top 5 of all-time regional snowstorms. The storm took a heavy toll on residents, structures, transportation systems, emergency responders, businesses, livestock, and travelers. Roads were covered by deep snow and sleet and were nearly impassible. Emergency personnel and those needing emergency transport had to be taken to their destinations in 4 wheel drives or military vehicles (see article “Loudoun and Fauquier Counties’ Finest Assist the National Weather Service during Snowstorm”). Heavy accumulations weighed down on buildings and several structural collapses occurred.
(Nat. Weather Service)

FEBRUARY
19TH


1871
Professor Cleveland Abbe of the Signal Corps Service issued the first weather synopsis and forecasts along with warnings to mariners for the Great Lakes.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1884
Severe thunderstorms spawned sixty tornadoes in the southeastern United States, killing more than 420 persons and causing three million dollars damage. Georgia and the Carolinas hardest were hit in the tornado outbreak.
(David Ludlum)
(Ref. Wilson Wx. More Information)

1888
A tornado struck Mount Vernon IL. The tornado killed at least sixteen persons along its 62-mile path.
(David Ludlum)

1903
The minimum temperature today was +4 °F in Washington, DC.
(Bob Ryan's 2002 Almanac)

1939
The maximum temperature today was +74 °F in Washington, DC.
(Bob Ryan's 2002 Almanac)

1954
High winds across the southern half of the Great Plains, gusting to 85 mph, caused the worst dust storms since the 1930s. Graders were needed in places to clear fence high dirt drifts.
(The Weather Channel)

1972
A huge coastal storm hit the mid-Atlantic, northeast into southwestern Quebec, Canada. Interior sections were especially hard-hit by heavy snows, including totals of 23 inches at Williamsport, PA and McHenry, MD. 20 inches fell at Syracuse, NY. Snowdrifts piled up to 20 feet in northeast Pennsylvania. Storm surges up to 4.5 feet and winds gusting over 80 mph along coastal Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine resulted in extensive property damage and tremendous beach erosion. 27 houses were destroyed and 3,000 damaged in Massachusetts alone. Winds in southwestern Quebec gusted to 50 mph with snowfall totals up to 14.6 inches.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)
Ref. (NWS Ranking for Storms between 1956 and 2011) This is the 21st Worst Snowstorm

1979
Wash. DC 3rd greatest snowstorm February 18-19, 18.7 inches snow The Presidents Day Storm" was considered the worst storm in 57 years to strike Northern Virginia. Snow depths from the storm ranged from 6 to 8 inches southwest and southeast, 8 to 14 inches in the piedmont from south-central Virginia through central Virginia (Richmond reported 11 inches), and up to 20 inches over Northern Virginia. At times, snow was falling 2 to 3 inches per hour and temperatures were in the single digits to teens. Huge tractors and other farm machinery had been driven to the Mall in Washington, DC to protest for higher agricultural pricing. When the storm hit, the farmers used their equipment to help locals dig out of nearly two feet. Four deaths were attributed to heart attacks from stress due to overexertion during and after the storm, and 18 injuries occurred from falls on ice. Temperatures across the state were very cold (single digits in the north) when the snow began making the storm similar to the February 1899 storm. Even Norfolk got 7 inches before changing to rain and recorded nearly 13 inches of snow for the month.
(Ref. Virginia Weather History)
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)
Ref. (NWS Ranking for Storms between 1956 and 2011) This is the 22nd Worst Snowstorm

1985
The 33 dense fog days reported to this date in Salt Lake City, UT was the worst in 54 years. The winter of 1930-31 saw 42 dense fog days.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1987
A winter storm over the southern and central Rockies produced 28 inches of snow at Echo Lake CO, and two feet of snow at Gascon, NM and Los Alamos NM. Mora County, NM was declared a disaster area following the storm.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1988
Showers and thunderstorms in the southeastern United States drenched Valdosta, GA with more than five inches of rain. The 24 hour rainfall total of 7.10 inches at Apalachicola FL more than doubled their previous 24 hour record for February.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1989
An upper level weather disturbance brought heavy snow to parts of Nebraska, with six inches reported at Loup City and Surprise.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1990
A moist Pacific storm worked its way into New Mexico and southern Colorado. Up to 36 inches of snow blanketed the Wolf Creek and Red Mountain passes of Southwest Colorado, and up to 15 inches of snow was reported around Trinidad. In New Mexico, the eastern slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains were blanketed with 9 to 28 inches of snow, and 50 to 60 mph wind gusts were reported from Taos to Albuquerque.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

Tucson, AZ received 1 inch of snow. This is the fifth occurrence of measurable snow in one winter.
(Bob Ryan's 2002 Almanac)

1993
Intense snows caused by a "norlun" instability trough hit parts of Massachusetts. Chatham, MA picked up 20 inches of snow. For 3 hours, the snow fell at a rate of 4 inches per hour.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1997
Unseasonably warm air occurred across much of the East. Some record highs for the date included: 64° at New York City, 63° at Newark, NJ and 56° at Bridgeport, CT. The Midwest also had mild weather, with highs in the 30s and 40s. Rapid snow melt and ice jams caused by the warm weather pushed some rivers out of their banks in Iowa, causing minor lowland flooding of farmland.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2004
A bombogenesis Nor'easter struck Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, Canada producing strong winds and snow depths as high as 3.3 feet. Blowing and drifting snow with winds gusting as high as 62 mph halted all transportation including snowplows, cut power, and closed schools and businesses. Nova Scotia issued their first "Code Black" emergency measure in history.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2012
FEBRUARY 19th - 20th The largest snowfall (5.2 Inches) in the mild winter of 2011-2012. Time the Precipitation started yesterday at 11:12 AM with a temperature of 40.1 °F Time the Precipitation ended at 01:30 AM on the 20th with a temperature of 32.7 °F Lowest temperature during snow was 32.4 °F during the heaviest snowfall period at 7:40 PM. Snowfall for 19th was 5.1 inches - water content 0.84 inches Snowfall for 20th was 0.1 inches - water content 0.01 inches Storm total was 5.2 inches - water content 0.85 inches The storm had very little sleet and some snow pellets and NO rain. Most intense snowfall was between 7 PM and 8 PM with 2.5 inches recorded in 1 hour. Snow depth at 7 AM of the 20th was 4.7 inches or rounded 5 inches on the ground.
(West Henrico Co. - Glen Allen Virginia Weather Center)
(Ref. NWS - Satellite Map Showing Area Impacted by Snowfall)

2013
February 19th - 24th The 7th of the top 10 weather events of 2013 was a vast storm that brought snow from California to Maine, 12 inches on Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. Up to 22 inches of snow piled up in Kansas, where Wichita measured its heaviest snowfall (14.2 inches) in 50 years. The storm also brought heavy rains to the Southeast.
(Ref.Weatherwise May/June 2013 page 15)

FEBRUARY
20TH


1805
The Potomac River was opened after being closed by ice for a period of two months.
(Sandra and TI Richard Sanders - 1987) (Bob Ryan’s 2002 Almanac)

1896
The minimum temperature for the date is +8 °F in Washington, DC.
(Bob Ryan’s 2002 Almanac)

1898
Eastern Wisconsin experienced a big snowstorm. Racine received 30 inches, and drifts around Milwaukee measured 15 feet high.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1912
An F3 tornado killed 9 people and injured 50 others as it crossed Shreveport, LA. Centenary College was struck, an event that would be repeated in 1940.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1918
31.93 inches of rain fell in 24 hours at Honomu, HI located on the northeastern part of the Big Island north of Hilo.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1930
The maximum temperature for the date is 76 °F in Washington, DC and at the peak of heat wave a 76° also at WBO.
(Bob Ryan’s 2002 Almanac)

1934
A severe blizzard was in its 2nd day across southern New England. The snowfall was one of Connecticut's worst in modern times with 20 inch accumulations, high winds, and temperatures that dropped from near 32° to 5° during the course of the storm.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1953
A snowstorm in Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota produced drifts ten-feet high which derailed trains.
(David Ludlum)

1960
Feb. 18-20 A snowstorm dropped up to two feet in the western Virginia mountains.

1971
On the 20th and 22nd a blizzard blanketed TX Panhandle with 6-26 inches (in Follett) snow; drifts to 12 feet deep. Some cattle from wheat pastures strayed 45 miles when electric fences shorted out from snow. 13,000 head of cattle killed, many smothered or trampled when groups bunched up to keep warm.
(Ref. Weather Guide Calendar with Phenomenal Weather Events 2011 Accord Pub. 2010, USA)

1980
Mammoth Mountain, CA in the southern Sierra Mountains received 109 inches of snow between the 13th and 20th.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1987
A storm system over Arizona spread heavy snow from the Southern Rockies into the Southern Plains Region. Thunderstorms in central Texas produced golf ball size hail about the same time north central Texas was being blanketed with up to 8 inches of snow, closing many schools.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1988
Snow and strong northerly winds ushered arctic air into the Great Lakes Region. The temperature at Sault Ste Marie, MI plunged from 30 degrees at 5 AM to one below zero by 3 PM with a wind chill reading of 40 degrees below zero. Five cities in Florida reported record high temperatures for the date. The afternoon high of 90 degrees at Lakeland was just a degree shy of their February record.
(The National Weather Summary)

1989
Thunderstorms developing during the early afternoon produced severe weather from eastern Texas to Alabama and northwest Florida. Thunderstorms spawned a dozen tornadoes during the afternoon and evening. Thunderstorms also produced 90 mph winds around Vicksburg, MS and 100 mph winds around Jackson, MS.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)


1990
Heavy snow spread into southwestern Kansas and the panhandle region of Oklahoma and Texas. Heavier snowfall totals included 12 inches at Boise City OK, 11 inches at Liberal KS, and 10 inches at Spearman TX. Blowing and drifting snow closed roads in the Oklahoma panhandle.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1993
Two strong areas of low pressure, one over Colorado and the other off the coast of Washington state, produced high winds, heavy rain, and heavy snow across the western U.S. Winds gusted to 85 mph at Fort Carson, CO and to 96 mph at Rock Springs, WY. Flagstaff, AZ was deluged with 3.93 inches of rain in 24 hours; their greatest 24 hour rainfall on record. Duck Creek, UT was buried under 49 inches of snow in 48 hours and the Sierra Ski Ranch in California recorded 74 inches of snow over a 4-day period to raise its snow cover to 200 inches.
Farther to the east, a strong overrunning pattern developed ahead of the area of low pressure over Colorado. Sioux City, IA was hit with 14 inches of snow in just 6 hours.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1995
The temperature at the Civic Center in Los Angeles, CA soared to 95°; the highest temperature ever recorded at the location during the month of February.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

FEBRUARY
21ST


1493
Christopher Columbus encountered the 1st of 2 extra-tropical storms near the Azore Islands. It was assumed for many years that Columbus had experienced a rare winter hurricane, but meteorologists have proven that it was more likely a non-tropical type storm. If he had been in the northern part of the storms, the course of history might have been altered.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1885
The minimum temperature for the date is +7 °F in Washington, DC.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1918
A spectacular chinook wind at Granville ND caused the temperature to spurt from a morning low of 33 degrees below zero to an afternoon high of 50 degrees above zero.
(David Ludlum)

In Granville, North Dakota, the temperature rose from a morning low of -33°F to an afternoon high of 50°F on February 21, an astonishing 83 degree rise, as a result of a chinook wind.
(Ref. Extreme Weather p. 68, by Christopher C. Burt)

1922
The most destructive ice storm in Midwest history blanketed everything in a 4 inch coating of ice. $1 million in damage and one fatality resulted.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1935
Frequent dust storms occurred in eastern Colorado during the month, forcing schools to close and people to stay indoors. A fatality occurred on this date when two section cars collided on the railroad near Arriba CO, due to poor visibility.
(The Weather Channel)

1936
The temperature at Langdon, ND climbed above zero for the first time in six-weeks. Readings never got above freezing during all three-winter months.
(David Ludlum)

1953
The maximum temperature for the date is 75 °F in Washington, DC.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1962
Rock Rapids, IA was buried under 30.8 inches of snow over a 5-day period through this date to set the state's single storm snowfall record.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1971
Even the power of a “weak” tornado is amazing. In Lincoln, TX, a small tornado lifted the awning/steel roof of a building 100 feet; 2 x4 lumber pieces were hurled into the ground “like a stake.” Several men were unable to budge them when they attempted to pull them from the ground.
(Ref. Weather Guide Calendar with Phenomenal Weather Events 2011 Accord Pub. 2010, USA)

An outbreak of tornadoes hit northeastern Louisiana and northern and central Mississippi. The tornadoes claimed 121 lives, including 110 in Mississippi. Three tornadoes accounted for 118 of the deaths. There were 1600 persons injured, 900 homes were destroyed or badly damaged, and total damage was 19 million dollars. Elk City OK was buried under 36 inches of snow to establish a 24-hour snowfall record for the state.
(David Ludlum)

While tornadoes were plaguing the Lower Mississippi Valley, a blizzard was pounding northwestern Oklahoma. 3 feet of snow fell at Elk City and Buffalo, OK, easily establishing a single storm and 24-hour snowfall record for the state. Residents in some areas were forced to use their 2nd floor windows to get in and out of their houses because of the enormous drifts.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1987
Low pressure over central California produced gale force winds along the coast, and produced thunderstorms that pelted Stockton, Oakland and San Jose with small hail.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1988
A storm tracking across southern Canada produced high winds in the north central United States, with gusts to 90 mph reported at Boulder CO. The high winds snapped trees and power lines, and ripped shingles off roofs. The Kentucky Fried Chicken Bucket was blown off their store in Havre, MT. An eighteen-foot fiber glass bear was blown off its stand along a store front in west Cody WY, and sailed east into downtown Cody before the owners were able to transport their wandering bear back home in a horse trailer.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1989
Norfolk record high 76° after 12 inch snow on the 18th
(Bob Ryan's 2002 Almanac)

Thunderstorms developing during the morning hours spread severe weather across Georgia and the Carolinas. Strong thunderstorm winds caused one death and thirteen injuries in North Carolina, and another four injuries in South Carolina.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1990
Overnight thunderstorms produced heavy rain in central Texas. Rainfall totals ranged up to 2.80 inches at Camp Verde, with 2.20 inches reported at Leakey. Thunderstorms early in the day produced high winds in southern Texas, with wind gusts to 60 mph reported at Alice. Daytime thunderstorms in eastern Texas drenched Rosenberg with four inches of rain.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1992
Today marked the 16th consecutive day that Sacramento, CA recorded measurable rain. This broke the old record of 15 consecutive days set back in February 1936 and again in November 1970. Total rainfall over the 16 day period was 6.41 inches.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1996
Cities in South Texas recorded all-time high temperatures for February, including Del Rio with 103°, San Antonio with 100°, Austin and College Station with 99° and Waco with 96°.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1997
Alabama officials reported no serious injuries from high winds that unroofed many buildings. Forecasters at the National Weather Service is Huntsville, AL saw the damage first hand as high winds unroofed an adjacent fire station that slammed into their building about 100 yards away.
Many cities in Mississippi set record highs on consecutive dates on this date and the 22nd. Several monthly record high temperatures were set at cities in New York, including 73° at Rochester and 70° at Buffalo.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2011
Record breaking snowfall at Fairbanks through 3 pm this afternoon a storm total of 18.5 inches of snow has fallen at the Fairbanks International Airport. A total of 6.7 inches of snow fell yesterday which broke the previous record of 4.6 inches set in 1962. Through 3 pm today a total of 11.8 inches of snow fell at the Airport which shatters the old record of 2.5 inches set back in 1913. The 11.8 inches ranks as the 8th greatest daily snowfall on record at Fairbanks. The all time record of 16.0 inches was observed on February 11th 1966. The last time this much snow was observed on a calendar day was back on November 20th 1970 when 14.6 inches of snow was observed.
(Ref. NWS Snowfall Records in a Public Statement)


FEBRUARY
22ND


1773
The memorable Cold Sabbath in New England history. Many persons froze extremities while going to church.
(David Ludlum)

1874
The maximum temperature for the date is 77 °F in Washington, DC.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1918
Spectacular chinook wind at Grandville, ND warmed the temperature from -33° to 50 °F.
(Bob Ryan's 2002 Almanac)

1936
Although heat and dust prevailed in the spring and summer, early 1936 brought record cold to parts of the United States Sioux Center IA reported 42 inches of snow on the ground, a state record. (20th-22nd)
(The Weather Channel)

1963
The minimum temperature for the date is +9 °F in Washington, DC.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1971
A 2-day blizzard across the Plains dumped 36 inches of snow fell at Buffalo, OK. 25 inches fell Gage, OK. Follett, TX picked up 26 inches while Amarillo, TX recorded 14 inches. Winds 30 to 50 mph whipped the snow into drifts 20 feet high.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1975
New England:
Memorable "Cold Sabbath" across the region leaves many with frozen extremities while going to church in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Minus 11 ° F is observed at Dover, New Hampshire.
(Ref. WxDoctor)

Muldrow, Okla.--A young man was killed by lightning while working on a television antenna. Another man was injured and taken to a hospital. Lightning apparently struck the antenna.
(Ref. Lightning-The Underrated Killer.pdf)

1986
A twelve-day siege of heavy rain and snow, which produced widespread flooding and mudslides across northern and central California, finally came to an end. The storm caused more than 400 million dollars property damage. Bucks Lake, located in the Sierra Nevada Range, received 49.6 inches of rain during the twelve-day period.
(Storm Data)

1987
A storm moving northeastward out of the Gulf of Mexico began to spread heavy snow across the Middle Atlantic Coast Region. Thunderstorms in northern Florida produced wind gusts to 65 mph in Alachua County.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
Ref. (NWS Ranking for Storms between 1956 and 2011) This is the 41st Worst Snowstorm

1988
Dry weather prevailed across the nation, with windy conditions from the Central Rockies to northern New England. Winds gusted to 58 mph at Cleveland OH, and reached 63 mph at Erie PA. Winds in the Central Rockies gusted to 120 mph at Mines Peak CO and Rendezvous Peak WY.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1989
Strong northwesterly winds ushering cold arctic air into the north central United States produced snow squalls in the Great Lakes Region, with heavy snow near Lake Michigan. Totals in northwest Indiana ranged up to 24 inches at Gary, and up to 16 inches buried northeastern Illinois.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1990
Thunderstorms developing along and ahead of a cold front produced severe weather from southern Mississippi to North Carolina. One thunderstorm spawned a tornado just prior to dawn that touched down near Opp, AL injuring ten persons and causing half a million dollars damage. Thunderstorm winds injured four persons south of Troy AL, and five people at Columbus GA. Thunderstorm winds gusted to 76 mph at Dothan AL.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1996
More record warmth occurred over the south central states. The following cities set all-time February record highs: San Angelo, TX with 97°, Wichita Falls, TX at 93°, Oklahoma City, OK with 92° and Wichita, KS with 87°.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1997
It was rare for the location as wintertime lightning occurred at Oxford, NH. 1 bolt hit a tree and traveled to an underground cable which exploded. A ditch in the frozen ground 75 feet long and up to 4 feet deep resulted. A different bolt struck another tree, killing a chained dog.
(Ref. Weather Guide Calendar with Phenomenal Weather Events 2011 Accord Pub. 2010, USA)

More record warmth occurred over the south central states. The following cities set all-time February record highs: San Angelo, TX with 97°, Wichita Falls, TX at 93°, Oklahoma City, OK with 92° and Wichita, KS with 87°.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

Lightning struck a tall pine tree on an island several hundred yards away. The explosive force generated by the lightning strike blew a large hole in the rock ledge next to the tree. A football-sized chunk of dirt was thrown onto the ice 150 yards away, and rocks up to 100 lbs were thrown onto the ice 50 to 60 ft away. Read the full story at the following Ref.
(Ref. A Lightning Survivor)

1998
Seven tornadoes struck east central Florida late on this date and early on the 23rd. Three of the tornadoes were rated F3 on the Fujita scale. 24 people were killed in Kissimmee alone. A total of 42 people were killed, 265 injured, and total damage was $106 million dollars.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2000
A rapidly moving storm system brought bursts of snow to parts of northern Virginia, quickly dropping 3 to 5 inches of snow during the morning hours. A massive 116-car pile up occurred on the southbound side of I-95 near Aquila, VA, south of the nation's capital. One person died and 15 people were taken to the hospital as a result of the chain reaction accident, reportedly the largest ever on the East Coast, which backed up traffic for 30 miles and closed the interstate for several hours.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2001
4-8 inches of snow blanketed New Jersey, there were approximately 1000 accidents from vehicular, falls, and the use of snow blowers. The average commute time was about eight times longer than normal. Many snow plows became stuck in traffic and many drivers abandoned their vehicles.
(Ref. Weather Guide Calendar with Phenomenal Weather Events 2012 Accord Pub. 2011, USA)

2003
Record Rainfall Less Than A Week After A Record Snowfall
The precipitation total today was 2.78 inches at Annandale-Barcroft Hills Weather Center, a new 23 year MAXIMUM precipitation record for the date; the old record was 0.74 inches in 1987.
This is the greatest amount of precipitation to fall in a calendar day in the month of February the old record was 2.31 inches in 1998.
This is the greatest amount of precipitation to fall in a calendar day since 9-16-1999 when 3.65 inches rain was recorded that also holds the 23-year record for any day. We have also had 3.07 inches of rain from 1400 on the 21st to 1400 of the 22nd that is also a 24-hour record going back to 9-16-1999. Total precipitation for February is now 7.44 inches and is the wettest February on my records the old record was 7.26 inches in 1978. It is also currently the ninth wettest month of the last 277 months. (23years - Jan. 2003)
(Ref. Annandale Weather Records)

Feb. 22nd-23rd: A total of 1.5 to 3 inches of rain fell across the region in two days. This excessive rainfall in addition to melt water from the heavy snowstorm 5 days before led to widespread minor to moderate flooding. Several rivers and creeks overflowed their banks, and numerous roads in low lying areas were flooded.
(National Weather Service )


FEBRUARY
23RD


1802
A great snowstorm raged along the New England coast producing 48 inches of snow north of Boston. Three large ships from Salem were wrecked along Cape Cod.
(David Ludlum)

1907
The minimum temperature for the date is 11 °F in Washington, DC.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1936
A severe blizzard in the Sierra Nevada Range closed Donner Pass. It stranded 750 motorists and claimed seven lives.
(David Ludlum)

1962
A severe ice storm hit parts of Ohio. Up to one inch of glaze covered exposed objects.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1973
The first snow of only 0.1 inches and the only measurable snow of winter at National Airport.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1975
An F4 tornado hit the Holiday Inn in Tuscaloosa, AL. Most of the upper floor of the motel was sheared away and a housekeeper was killed.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1987
Third huge snowstorm of winter dumps 10.3 inches on DCA A winter storm buried the Middle Atlantic Coast Region under heavy snow. Totals ranged up to 24 inches at Lancaster PA, with 23 inches at Coatesville PA. During the height of the storm Philadelphia PA received five inches of snow in just one hour. The Washington, DC area was blanketed with up to 15 inches of snow.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
(Ref. More Information About This Storm)
Ref. (NWS Ranking for Storms between 1956 and 2011) This is the 41st Worst Snowstorm

1988
Strong northwesterly winds ushered arctic air into the central United States, and temperatures in Missouri were thirty degrees colder than the previous day. The strong winds produced squalls along the shore of Lake Superior, with up to 15 inches of snow reported over the Keweenaw Peninsula of Upper Michigan.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1989
Nineteen cities in the central United States reported new record low temperatures for the date, including Lincoln NE with a reading of 19 degrees below zero.
(The National Weather Summary)

1990
A fast moving storm produced near blizzard conditions in Michigan. Snowfall totals ranged up to 9.5 inches in Allegan County, wind gusts reached 74 mph at Ann Arbor, and five-foot snowdrifts were reported around Saginaw. The Michigan AAA records showed more than 5000 traffic accidents reported, a near record for one day. There were several chain reaction collisions. One near Pontiac involved a hundred cars.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1991
A black rain fell on parts of eastern Turkey as soot from the Kuwait oil field fires mixed with the precipitation.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1996
Heat wave hits south with all-time February highs. San Antonio, Texas 100°, Oklahoma City, OK 92°, Fayetteville, AR 87°, Birmingham, AL 83°, Knoxville, TN 83°
(Bob Ryan's 2002 Almanac)

1997
A very unusual thundersnow squall hit Kodiak Airport in Alaska. A C-130 aircraft took two lightning strikes.
Rivers were running out of their banks in parts of Illinois after record rainfalls in some areas, including Chicago the previous day.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1998
Otis, Oregon:
Otis records its 79 straight day of of rain, the streak which began on 7 December 1997 is the longest in the contiguous US.
(Ref. WxDoctor)

1999
On the 23rd - 24th Mount Baker Ski Area (WA) set the all-time U.S. snow season (7/1 through 6/30) record of 1,140 inches. For the 1st time in its 33 years, the ski area was closed because of too much snow. Chairlifts/parking areas had to be dug out/plowed.
(Ref. Weather Guide Calendar with Phenomenal Weather Events 2011 Accord Pub. 2010, USA)

2003
The maximum wind gust of 46 mph occurred at 1314 from the west. This is the highest wind gust at Annandale Weather Center since December 12, 2000 when we also had a 46 mph gust.
(Ref. Annandale Weather Records) \

City Workers in New York City conducted a "pothole blitz," filling 1,600 potholes in just one day. The potholes formed as melting snow and rain combined to create the automobile-jarring holes. Just one week earlier, New York City had been bombarded by a major snowstorm on Presidents' Day.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2005
CA five day winter storm commencing on the 18th dumped 3 to 6 inches of rain on southern California coastal locations. The inland valleys received over 12 inches in the foothills and mountains and over 2 inches in the deserts. Some of the bigger totals included 6.80 inches at Fullerton, 12.33 inches at Lake Arrowhead, and 18.79 inches at Lytle Creek. The storm pushed San Diego's winter precipitation total to 3rd all-time. Three tornadoes occurred in Orange, San Diego, and Riverside counties on the 19th. Extremely heavy snow fell in the San Bernadino County mountains with 4 to 8 feet of new snow above 7000 feet.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)


FEBRUARY
24TH


1852
The Susquehanna River ice bridge at Havre de Grace MD commenced to break up after forty days of use. A total of 1738 loaded freight cars were hauled along rails laid on the ice.
(David Ludlum)

1870
Professor Cleveland Abbe began preparing the Western Union Telegraph Company's Weather Report, a plotted daily weather map issued 6 days a week. The cooperation of the telegraph companies were critical to the survival of our early national weather network. They provided free transmission time and priority handling for weather messages.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1873
The minimum temperature for the date is +1°F in Washington, DC.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1905
The temperature at Valley Head, AL fell to -18°. This was the coldest temperature ever recorded in Alabama until January 1966.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1910
Washington state's greatest snowstorm dumped 129 inches of snow on Laconia, WA over 3 days.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1936
End of longest snow cover in modern history of a 37 days period from January 19th to February 24th in Washington, DC.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

Vermont and New Hampshire received brown snow due to dust from storms in the Great Plains Region. A muddy rain fell across parts of northern New York State. (24th-25th)
(David Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)

1962
Snow, sleet, freezing rain and severe thunderstorms in southern New England occurred. $5 million in property damage resulted.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1969
The famous "100-Hour Storm" began at Boston, MA. Snow fell much of the time between early on the 25th through noon on the 28th. The 26.3 inches at Logan Airport is the 2nd greatest snowstorm in Boston’s history. 77 inches fell at Pinkham Notch Base Station in New Hampshire bringing their February total to 130 inches. Their snow cover on the 27th was 164 inches. Mt. Washington, NH received 172.8 inches of snow in the month.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1977
Dust from the western Great Plains reduced visibilities from eastern Virginia through the southeastern states into Florida. The dust originated in the western Great Plains on the 22nd and 23rd, as winds gust above 100 mph at Guadalupe Pass, TX and White Sands, NM, and over Sherman County, Kansas and eastern Colorado.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1985
The maximum temperature for the date is 78 °F in Washington, DC.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1987
A massive winter storm began to overspread the western United States In southern California, Big Bear was blanketed with 17 inches of snow, and Lake Hughes reported four inches of snow in just one hour. Snow pellets whitened coastal areas of Orange County and San Diego County, with three inches at Huntington Beach. The storm also produced thunderstorms with hail and waterspouts.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1988
Strong winds produced snow squalls in the Great Lakes Region that created whiteout conditions in eastern Upper Michigan. Squalls produced up to 14 inches of snow in Geauga County of northeastern Ohio.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1989
A total of thirty-three cities in the eastern United States reported new record low temperatures for the date, and an Atlantic coast storm spread heavy snow from Georgia to southern New England. Snowfall totals in New Jersey ranged up to 24 inches in May County, with 19 inches reported at Atlantic City. Totals in North Carolina ranged up to 18 inches in Gates County, and winds along the coast of North Carolina gusted to 70 mph at Duck Pier. Strong winds gusting to 52 mph created blizzard conditions at Chatham MA.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1990
Strong northerly winds prevailed from Illinois to the Southern and Central Appalachians. Winds gusted to 68 mph at Sewickley Heights PA. High winds caused considerable blowing and drifting of snow across northern and central Indiana through the day. Wind gusts to 47 mph and 6 to 8 inches of snow created whiteout conditions around South Bend IN. Traffic accidents resulted in two deaths and 130 injuries. Sixty-five persons were injured in one accident along Interstate 69 in Huntington County. Wind gusts to 60 mph and 4 to 8 inches of snow created blizzard conditions in eastern and northern Ohio.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1992
As of 2:45 am CST, International Falls, MN had recorded 29.5 inches of snow for the month with snow still falling. This set a new monthly snowfall record for February. The old record was 29.0 inches set back in 1911. A new record was also set for winter season snowfall (Dec-Feb) with 68.5 inches.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1994
Record Cascade snowstorm in Washington State 65 inches in 24 hours at Crystal Mountain sets state record. Stampede Pass at 4,500 feet gets 30 inches giving a total on the ground of 94 inches.
(Bob Ryan's 2002 Almanac)

1996
Today marked the 54th consecutive day in San Antonio, TX without measurable precipitation, their 2nd longest rain-free period.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2000
A late evening F3 tornado cut a 23 mile long path through Pontotoc County, Mississippi, killing 7 people. In spite of the nearest National Weather Service Doppler Radar not working, warnings were in effect for the tornado. Nearly 300 homes were damaged or destroyed. Other F2 tornadoes were reported in Mississippi and several twisters touched down around Little Rock, AR, all spawned by the same system.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2001
In a house without a basement, a small interior room/closet on the 1st floor often provides the best area for tornado survival. In Greenwood, MS, a F3 tornado destroyed all but the 1st floor bathroom of a 2-story house. A family of 4 survived in that room.
(Ref. Weather Guide Calendar with Phenomenal Weather Events 2011 Accord Pub. 2010, USA)

2004
Northern New Mexico:
Heavy snows blanket wide areas of northern New Mexico, closing schools and highways. Snow accumulates to 20 inches on the mountains east of Santa Fe; Sandia Park, east of Albuquerque, measures 11 inches ; 8 inches falls at Los Alamos.
(Ref. WxDoctor)

2012
The maximum temperature here today was 81 °F which is the highest temperature since March 18, 2011 when it was 82 °F. The maximum temperature yesterday was 81 °F at the Richmond International Airport which was only one degree from the record maximum temperature for the date. (Records since 1897) This maximum was also only 2 °F from the warmest temperature ever recorded in the month of February which was 83 °F recorded on February 11, 1932.(Records since 1897) The high wind gust yesterday was 46 mph at 15:03 hours which was the highest gust since Hurricane Irene on August 27, 2011 when a 52 mph gust was recorded. A great temperature decrease of -28.3 °F since yesterday at 7:10 AM. The total precipitation yesterday was only 0.03 inches and for Feb. 1.98 inches and thunder was heard twice.
(West Henrico Co. - Glen Allen Virginia Weather Center)


2013
The 9th of the top 10 weather events of 2013 was the severe winter storm of February 24-28 in the Plains to the Northeast. This was the second major storm this month blanketing most of the southern plains to the Great Lakes, blanketing at least 11 states with 1 foot or more of snow setting February snowfall records in northern Texas (19 inches in Amarillo) and bringing whiteout conditions to Denver Colorado.
(Ref.Weatherwise May/June 2013 page 15)

2016
The lowest was 29.32 inches on the 24th which was also the 2nd lowest recorded in February and the lowest pressure since March 12, 2014. The low pressure was associated with a tornado outbreak in Virginia with 8 confirmed tornadoes. The maximum dew point on the 24th was a new record for February at 1350 before the tornado outbreak. Two of the tornadoes were F3s and one of the F3s had a 30 mile path over NE VA. See the following Link from NWS Wakefield Division
(Current Link - If this Link is broken go to the archived Link Below (Ref. NWS Wakefield Division)
February Tornado Outbreak of 8 Tornadoes Over VA(Ref. NWS Wakefield Division)
February two F3 Tornadoes Over VA(Ref. May/June Weatherwise page 46)


FEBRUARY
25TH


1914
The minimum temperature for the date is -1 °F in Washington, DC.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

South Carolina's observed its largest modern snowfall with 18 inches at Society Hill.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1922
The temperature at Los Angeles CA soared to 92 degrees to establish a record for the month of February.
(David Ludlum)

1930
The maximum temperature for the date is 84°F in Washington, DC. Washington's warmest February day and also 84 at WBO.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

The maximum temperature at Richmond International Airport was 83°F today (and also on one other date) the highest temperature ever recorded in Richmond in February. The other date was Feb. 11th 1932.
(Ref. Richmond Weather Records - KRIC)

1934
An outbreak of six tornadoes killed nineteen in Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. Hardest hit was Bowden, GA and Shady Grove, AL. One home in Lauderdale County, Mississippi was picked up, thrown 400 feet and blown to bits. Six family members were killed in the house.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1977
Dust reduced visibilities from eastern Virginia through the southeastern states to Florida between the 24th and the 28th. The dust originated in the western Great Plains on the 22nd and 23rd, with wind gusts above 100 mph reported at Guadalupe Pass TX, at White Sands NM, in Sherman County, KS, and in eastern Colorado.
(The Weather Channel)

1987
Low pressure in Nevada produced snow from the southwestern United States to the Dakotas. Snowfall totals in Arizona ranged up to 82 inches at Alpine. Flagstaff, AZ reported 23 inches of snow in 24 hours. Other heavier snowfall totals included 20 inches at Daggett NV, 24 inches at Brian Head UT, 24 inches at Red Lodge MT, and 26 inches at Angel Fire NM. Snow at Los Alamos NM pushed their snowfall total for the winter past their previous record of 123.5 inches.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1988
Overnight snow squalls in the Lower Great Lakes Region buried Pulaski NY under 17 inches of snow. Sunny and mild weather prevailed across the rest of the nation. Havre MT reported a record high of 66 degrees.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1989
Thirteen cities in Florida reported record low temperatures for the date, including Jacksonville with a reading of 24 degrees. Severe cold in Florida claimed three lives, and resulted in 250 to 300 million dollars crop damage. Unseasonably warm weather prevailed in the central United States Dodge City KS reported record high of 80 degrees.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1990
Snow spread across the northeastern United States Massachusetts was blanketed with 8 to 15 inches of snow, 5 to 10 inches was reported in Rhode Island, and totals in Connecticut ranged up to 10.5 inches at New Canaan. In central New York State, snow and high winds resulted in a number of chain-reaction multiple accidents, and a total of 108 persons were injured. Snow and high winds created whiteout conditions along Interstate 87 in Saratoga County, NY. Subzero cold was reported from Minnesota through Michigan to northern New England. Duluth MN reported a record low of 26 degrees below zero.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1992
Third record snow storm in Middle East with snow drifts to 16 feet in Lebanon, 6 feet in parts of Jordan is the worst ever. In NW Saudi Arabia 12 inches of snow was recorded excluding drifting.
(Bob Ryan's 2002 Almanac)

1993
More snowfall records fell in the great snow season of 1992-93. Pocatello, ID set their seasonal snowfall record on this date with a total of 85.7 inches. Evansville, IN set their new monthly snowfall record. The 12.7 inches of snow in twenty four hours at Columbia, MO set a new February snowfall record for the location.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2001
February 25 (24th -25th ) Freezing rain followed by snow of 2 to 15 inches in southeast South Dakota with winds of 50 mph caused much drifting. Travel was not possible in many areas on Interstate 80 and parts of Interstate 29. Parts of these interstate roads were closed for up to 18 hours. Even state and county snow plows pulled off the roads due to hazardous conditions.
(Ref. Weather Guide Calendar with Phenomenal Weather Events 2012 Accord Pub. 2011, USA)

2009
Alaska:
Two Alaskan communities set their all-time records for highest windspeed: St. Paul registers a wind of 91 mph, and on St. George Island the wind reaches the wind at 94 mph.
(Ref. WxDoctor)

2010
By the afternoon, 20.8 inches had fallen in Central Park, for a monthly total of 36.9 - more than 3 feet, making this the snowiest month since records began in 1869. It was the fourth-largest one-day snowstorm in history. "It's been a very high impact storm," said the National Weather Service's Richard Castro.
(Ref. For More Information on This Storm)
Ref. (NWS Ranking for Storms between 1956 and 2011) This is the 15th Worst Snowstorm


FEBRUARY
26TH


1905
Longest continuous February snow cover greater than one 1 inch in Washington, DC. (26 days)
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1910
Parts of Washington State were in the midst of a storm, which produced 129 inches of snow at Laconia between the 24th and the 26th, a single storm record for the state. A series of storms, which began on the 23rd, led to a deadly avalanche on the first of March. By late on the 28th, the snow had changed to rain, setting the stage for disaster.
(The Weather Channel)

1932
The maximum temperature for the date is 74 °F in Washington, DC.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1966
A big snowstorm buried parts of the East Coast with up to 32 inches across western Maine. 19 inches fell at Glen Falls, PA. Boston, MA received 11 inches and Hartford, CT received a foot.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1969
The "100 hour snowstorm" was in full swing across the Boston area and the rest of New England as well. By the time snow ended on the 28th, Boston recorded 26.3 inches of new snow. Pinkham Notch, NH was buried under and incredible 77 inches and Long Falls Dam, Maine checked in with 56 inches. Both Portsmouth, NH and Portland, ME set new single storm snowfall records with 33.8 inches and 26.9 inches, respectively. Rockport, MA measured an impressive 39 inches.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1970
The minimum temperature for the date is 12 °F in Washington, DC.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1972
The Buffalo Creek disaster occurred in the Buffalo Creek Hollow of Logan County in West Virginia. A coal slag dam on the Middle Fork of Buffalo Creek burst sending a fifty-foot wall of water down a narrow valley killing 125 persons and causing 51 million dollars damage. Three days of rain atop a six inch snow cover prompted the dam break.
(David Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)

1987
A slow moving storm in the southwestern United States spread heavy snow from the southern and central Rockies into the Central High Plains Region. Totals in Colorado ranged up to 62 inches at Purgatory. Colorado Springs CO reported a February record of 14.8 inches of snow in 24 hours. Lander WY received four inches in one hour, 13 inches in seven hours, and a record storm total of 26 inches. High winds created near blizzard conditions at Colorado Springs. Fairplay, CO reported 43 inches of snow, with drifts ten feet high.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1988
Eight cities in the central and western United States reported new record high temperatures for the date, including Lamoni IA with a reading of 67 degrees. Temperatures in North Dakota were as warm as those in Florida.
(The National Weather Summary)

1989
An upper level weather disturbance brought snow to parts of the central United States which just one day earlier was enjoying temperatures in the 60s. Snowfall totals in Missouri ranged up to nine inches at Rolla. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1990
DCA 14°, Dulles 11°, BWI record 13° are low temperature under February record high barometer at DCA 30.94 ins.
(Bob Ryan's 2000 Almanac)
Unseasonably cold weather followed in the wake of the winter storm in the northeastern United States. Ten cities reported record low temperatures for the date, including Syracuse NY with a reading of 10 degrees below zero. Freezing temperatures in southeastern Virginia caused considerable damage to plants and fruit trees. The barometric pressure reading of 30.88 inches at Wilmington NC was February record for that location.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1994
It is hard to dress for this kind of weather - Two ice climbers froze to death near the top of Pinnacle Gully about 1,000 feet below the summit of NH’s Mt. Washington. Summit winds gusted to 90 mph. Temperature was -20 degrees; wind chill was -68 degrees.
(Ref. Weather Guide Calendar with Phenomenal Weather Events 2011 Accord Pub. 2010, USA)

2000
Both Buffalo, NY and International Falls, MN set new record high temperatures for February with 71° and 58°, respectively.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2002
Between December 2001 and the end of February, Hilo, HI had picked up nearly 60 inches of rain, compared to a normal of 28.35 inches. Meanwhile, on Oahu, Honolulu was reporting lower than normal rains during the same period, as northeasterly winds around the Kona Low descended down the mountains toward Honolulu, drying the air. Honolulu had only picked up 5.36 inches during the same period.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2004
Charlotte, North Carolina:
Major snowstorm dumps up to 20 inches of snow accumulated in the Charlotte metropolitan area. Charlotte's third largest snowstorm on record accumulates 11.6 inches at the airport.
(Ref. WxDoctor)

2006
A massive blizzard buried eastern Newfoundland with up to 24 inches of snow. Winds gusting to 81 mph pushed snowdrifts up to 5 feet deep and left many roads in the capital littered with stranded cars.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2015
Precipitation started 02-26-2015 at 0100 and ended 02-26-2015 at 0940. Total liquid precipitation in the storm was 0.41 inches. Total snowfall for the storm was 4.7 inches The Richmond International Airport had 6.2 inches. The snow to liquid equivalent ratio for the storm was 11.5 to 1 The maximum one hour snowfall intensity rate was 0.9 inches from 0300 – 0400. Core sample at 0630 with 3.8 inches of snow gave 0.33 liquid. The snow to liquid equivalent ratio at 0630 was 11.5 to 1 The Richmond International Airport had 5.0 inches.
(Ref.Glen Allen hour by hour summary)
(Ref.Glen Allen storm video)
(Ref.Glen Allen 4Am Video of Snow Needles)
Boston's 2015 Snow Blitz-How Did it Compare? (Ref.Weatherwise-Sep/Oct2015-Vol 68/ number 5


FEBRUARY
27TH


1717
Perhaps the greatest snow in New England history commenced on the 27th. During a ten-day period a series of four snowstorms dumped three feet of snow upon Boston, and the city was snowbound for two weeks. Up to six feet of snow was reported farther to the north, and drifts covered many one-story homes. Part of Maine reported 60 inches of snow.
(David Ludlum)

1846
A snowstorm of almost unprecedented severity commenced on this day, the wind blowing a gale from the northeast. "Saturday, 28th. The snow was several inches deep, and rain began to fall during the day, which continued until noon on Monday,
(Ref. Virginia Weather History)

1891
Heavy rains over two weeks caused immense damage at San Diego, CA and catastrophic damage at Tijuana, Mexico. The worst was flooding along the Tijuana River where all structures were swept away and a man was killed. Three prospectors died at Table Mountain in Baja, California.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1900
Astoria, IL smothered by 36 inches of snow in 24 hours to set a state record.
(Bob Ryan's 2002 Almanac)

1902
An intense are of low pressure moved across Arkansas, Tennessee, Missouri, and Illinois. The lowest pressure was 28.71 inches of mercury at Springfield, IL.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1934
The minimum temperature for the date is +8 °F in Washington, DC.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1938
Storms of tropical origin that started on this day ended on 3/4 across southern California. One person was killed by lightning at Corona, CA. 11.06 inches of rain fell at Los Angeles. More than 30 inches fell at several mountain stations of the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains (32.2 inches at 8,300 feet elevation). More than 22 inches fell in the Santa Ana River headwaters. Considerable snow was melted, adding to the runoff. This led to unprecedented flood control efforts, including a network of dams and canals and concrete channels. 210 people were reported dead or missing in flooding across Southern California, 45 in Orange County, of which 43 perished in Mexican-American Atwood from an eight-foot wall of water. Hundreds more were injured.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1952
A super intense ocean storm at 949 millibars or 28.02 inches of mercury as reported by a ship blasted Cape Cod, MA with heavy snow and high winds. 10 to 20 inches of snow fell. 3,000 motorists were stranded on the lower Cape when routes 6 and 28 became impassable. Nantucket, MA reported sustained winds of 61 mph with a peak gust of 72 mph. The 120 foot Loran Tower at Siasconset was toppled by the high winds.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1969
A record snowstorm in Maine came to an end. Two to four feet of snow buried southern and central Maine, with a state record of 57 inches reported at West Forks. Drifts covered many single story homes, and the weight of the snow collapsed many roofs. Two to four feet of snow also buried northeastern Vermont and northeastern Massachusetts. In New Hampshire, Mount Washington, NH reported 97.8 inches of snow, a record storm total for New England. (24th-28th)
(David Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)
Ref. (NWS Ranking for Storms between 1956 and 2011) This is the 25th Worst Snowstorm

1977
Warm period 22nd-27th with 74° record on the 27th.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1984
A severe winter storm, which began on the 26th, spread blizzard conditions across Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana. 24 inches of snow fell in the Vichy-Rolla area in Missouri. 22 inches was reported in parts of southern Illinois. Winds frequently gusted to 40 and 50 mph. Interstate 65, which connects Indianapolis with Chicago, was impassable for several days due to extensive drifting of the snow. Thunderstorms were reported which added to the heavy snow amounts. 9.5 inches of snow fell at Indianapolis, IN.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1986
Record warmth continued across the West. All-time February records included 92° at Phoenix, AZ, 94° at Los Angeles, CA on the 24th, and 81° at San Francisco (Mission Delores), CA on the 26th. Palm Springs, CA hit 99°, their highest temperature on record for February. This also occurred just the day before.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1987
A storm spread heavy snow into the Central High Plains Region, and produced severe thunderstorms in the Southern Plains. Snowfall totals in western Nebraska ranged up to 19 inches at Sydney. Severe thunderstorms in Oklahoma produced baseball size hail at Stringtown and Atoka.
A storm in the eastern United States produced heavy rain over the Carolinas and heavy snow in the southern Appalachians and Piedmont region. Five inches of rain left four feet of water in the streets of Greenville, SC. Snowfall totals in southwestern Virginia ranged up to 20 inches.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1988
Thunderstorms along a cold front produced heavy rain in southern California, with up to 2.52 inches reported in Ventura County. Strong winds accompanying the rain gusted to 55 mph in the Tehachapi Mountains. Rapid City SD established a February record with an afternoon high of 75 degrees.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1989
Rain and snow prevailed in the southeastern United States Up to eight inches of snow blanketed north central Tennessee, and snowfall totals in western North Carolina ranged up to 14 inches at Mount Mitchell.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1990
A winter storm produced heavy snow in southeastern Colorado, with 12 inches reported at Lamar. The same storm produced severe thunderstorms over the Southern High Plains, with wind gusts to 93 mph reported at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Low pressure brought high winds to the Prince William Sound area of Alaska. Big River Lakes reported wind gusts to 92 mph.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1997
The maximum temperature for the date is 77 °F in Washington, DC.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

Many high temperature records were set across the Mid-Atlantic including 70° at New York's Kennedy Airport setting a record for the month of February. This surpassed the 68° reading recorded on 2/4/1991. A snowstorm in the Rockies produced 24-hour snowfall records at Grand Mesa, CO with 33 inches and Mount Lemmon, AZ with 30 inches.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2000
Beersheba, Israel experienced their first snow in 50 years as parts of Israel, Lebanon and Jordan received a rare winter storm. Locally, over 8 inches of snow fell, disrupting transportation, closing schools and business throughout the region.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2001
A thunderstorm produced dime size hail in Mira Mesa, CA. Eight inches of graupel (soft hail) piled up on I-15 there causing immense traffic delays. Several funnel clouds were observed in Escondido, CA. A waterspout was observed ten miles west of San Diego at Lindbergh Field.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2006
A three-year-old boy was buried for 4 to 8 minutes by 3 feet of wet snow that slid off a metal roof from a two-story school in Colorado in Upper Yampa River Basin near Steamboat Springs. Rescuers used shovels and hands to free him. His only injury was a head laceration.
(Ref. Weather Guide Calendar with Phenomenal Weather Events 2012 Accord Pub. 2011, USA)

2007
Large hail up to the size of golf balls plummeted the space shuttle Atlantis on the launchpad at Cape Kennedy Space Center, Florida. The hail put more than 7000 dings into the foam-covered fuel tank and cause a launch delay of more than three months while the damage was being repaired.
(Ref.Extreme Weather by H. Michael Mogil Text Copyright 2007)- Extreme Global Hail Events p. 152


FEBRUARY
28TH


1792
Heavy snow caused the Ashley River Bridge in Charleston, SC to collapse.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1846
The Great Gust, Feb. 27 to Mar. 2, A severe coastal storm hit the Northeast and caused $500,000 in damage. Norfolk recorded tides up to five feet above normal; fifty families drowned in North Carolina. William S. Forrest in "Historical and Descriptive Sketches of Norfolk and Vicinity" in 1853 recorded:
(Ref. Virginia Weather History)

1887
It is too bad we don't have videotape of the event! Snowflakes “larger than milk pans” reportedly fell near Fort Keogh, MT. They measured 15 inches across by 8 inches thick.
(Ref. Weather Guide Calendar with Phenomenal Weather Events 2011 Accord Pub. 2010, USA)

1899
Warrenton had 54.0 inches of snow in February greatest monthly snow total in VA

1900
A massive storm spread record snows from Kansas to New York State. Snowfall totals ranged up to 17.5 inches at Springfield IL and 43 inches at Rochester NY, with up to 60 inches in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State.
(David Ludlum)

Snow fell for over 24-hours in Toledo, OH. When it was all over, the 19 inches set a single storm record for the city. Topeka, KS reported 18.7 inches of snow in 24 hours to set their record for most snow in a 24-hour period. 36 inches of snow at Astoria, IL sets new state 24-hour snowfall record. Northfield, VT picked up 31 inches of snow. Snowfall totals ranged up to 17.5 inches at Springfield, IL and 43 inches at Rochester, NY. 60 inches fell in parts of the Adirondack Mountains of New York State.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1934
The minimum temperature for the date is -1 °F in Washington, DC.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

Richmond Virginia had its latest 0 °F day or lower minimum temperature in the winter on this date when the minimum was -1 °F.
(Ref. Richmond Weather Records - KRIC)

1948
The maximum temperature for the date is 82 °F in Washington, DC.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1951
It was 4° in Idyllwild, CA the lowest temperature on record for February.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1952
An intense storm brought coastal sections of southeastern Massachusetts to a halt, stranding 3000 motorists on Lower Cape, and leaving ten thousand homes on the Cape without electricity. Winds gusting to 72 mph created mountainous snowdrifts of the 18 inches of snow which buried Nantucket and Hyannis. A barometric pressure reading of 29.02 inches was reported at the center of the storm.
(The Weather Channel)

1959
An accumulation of heavy snow on the roof of a Listowel arena in Ontario Canada caused it to collapse during a hockey game. Several people inside were killed.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1962
It was -10° at Big Bear Lake, CA the lowest temperature on record for February.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1964
Thompson Pass, AK finishes the month with 346.1 inches of snow, a monthly snowfall record for the state of Alaska.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

The world's 12-hour rainfall record was set as 52.76 inches fell at Belouve, on La Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean. The world record for heaviest 9-hour and 18.5 hour rainfall were also set with 42.79 inches; and 66.49 inches, respectively.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1968
This is the second driest February on record at National Airport. The record for February is 0.62 in 1901. (Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1987
A powerful storm produced severe thunderstorms in Louisiana and Mississippi early in the day. About mid morning a monstrous tornado touched down near Moselle MS and grew to a width of two miles as it passed near Laurel MS. The tornado traveled a distance of 40 miles killing six persons, injuring 350 others, and causing 28.5 million dollars damage. The tornado swept homes right off their foundations, and tossed eighteen wheel trucks about like toys. Strong straight-line winds associated with the powerful storm system gusted to 70 mph at Jonesboro, AR and Carbondale, IL.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1988
Thunderstorms in California produced severe weather during the early morning hours. Strong thunderstorm winds, gusting to 74 mph, downed trees in the Sacramento area. Unseasonably mild weather prevailed in the northwestern United States. The afternoon high of 71 degrees at Portland OR was a February record.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1989
Thunderstorms in the southeast corner of the nation produced winds gusts to 58 mph at Fort Lauderdale FL, and a total of seven inches of rain. Heavy snow whitened parts of the Northern Plateau and the Northern Rockies, with ten inches reported at Marion MT.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1990
Showers and thunderstorms over the Southern Plains Region capped a record wet February for parts of Oklahoma. Totals for the month ranged up to 9.11 inches at McCurtain, with 4.63 inches reported at Oklahoma City. Snow and sleet fell across northern Oklahoma, with four inches reported at Freedom and Jefferson. Snow also spread across southern Kansas into Missouri and Arkansas, with six inches of snow reported at Harrison AR. In Alaska, February temperatures at Nome averaged 21 degrees below normal, ranging from -38 degrees to 29 degrees during the month.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

DCA has the least snowy winter ever as only a trace of snow is recorded for the 1997-98 season.
(Bob Ryan's 2000 Almanac)

1997
A snowstorm in the southwest produced a foot and a half of snow at Flagstaff, AZ. An 80 mile stretch of Interstate 17 outside Flagstaff was closed for a period of time. In Ely, NV, the mercury fell to -9°, a record for the date.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1998
No measurable snow fell in Chicago, IL during the month.
Out west, Santa Barbara, CA received 21 inches of rain for the month.
(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

2000
February ends as the 12th consecutive winter month over four years with above average temperatures in Washington, DC.
(Bob Ryan's 2002 Almanac)

2003
The total snowfall from 1435 of the 27 to 0115 of the 28th was 5.2 inches. Making this the snowiest February in the last 23-years at the Annandale-Barcroft Hills Weather Center with a total of 30.9 inches. The old record was 23.2 in 1982-83 and was our wettest February in the last 23-years with a total of 8.19 inches of precipitation. The old record was 7.26 inches in 1998. It was also our 3rd snowiest winter in the last 23-years and the snowiest since 1995-96 when the total winter snowfall of 61.2 inches was record. (Ref. Annandale Weather Records)

2004
A snowstorm affected much of central and western Virginia...with 6 to 12 inches of snow reported in the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwest Virginia. The heaviest amounts, in the 10 to 12 inch range, fell in Roanoke city/county, and in Franklin county.
Ref. Virginia Department of Emergency Management E-News

2010
Late February Nor' Easter- Back-to-back Nor' Easters on February 23-28 dumped 20 inches or more of snow from New York City into New England, with over 40 inches at some locations. This was the third major Northeast snow storm of the year, and the fourth this winter. Snowfall in New York City's Central Park reached 20.9 inches, and the city's February total of 36.9 inches set an all-time monthly record. Snowfall totals exceeded 30 inches north of New York City with this storm, including 38 inches near Monticello, New York. Hunter Mountain in the Catskills unofficially accumulated four feet of snow from February 25-28. Outstanding snow totals during February 23-27 included 43 inches in Randolph, New Hampshire; 52 inches in Woodford, Vermont; and 53 inches in Potter Hollow, New York.
(Ref. Weatherwise U.S. Weather Highlights of 2010 page 3 and 4)

2014
The weather in Chicago for the past three months has broken into the top three snowiest and coldest winters on record. Between the months of December and February, known as the meteorological winter, 67.4 inches of snow were recorded here, making it the third snowiest on record, according to the National Weather Service. It was also the third coldest meteorological winter on record, with an average temperature of 18.8 degrees between December and February.
(Ref.Tom Skilling Staff & By Michelle Manchir Tribune reporter"
(Ref.NWS) Up until Jan. 26 Chicago had snow every other day."

2015
Chicago tied with 1871 for the coldest February on record. Only ten Februaries had 20 inches or more snow since 1885 and half of these were since 2007.
Chicago tied with 1871 for the coldest February on record"
February in Chicago also had 20 inches of snow"
Richmond had the 5th coldest February on record.
Many additional records broken-Lowest temperature -1.2°F and lowest dew point temperature -14.6°F"


FEBRUARY
29TH


1748
The heaviest snow of the winter of the Deep Snow in New England came to an end. Coastal Salem was left with more than thirty inches of snow on the ground.
(David Ludlum)

1884
The minimum temperature for the date is +9 °F in Washington, DC.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1916
The greatest daily temperature range in Richmond, Virginia for February was 46 °F which occurred on two dates February 29th in 1916 and February 10th in 1954.
(Ref. Richmond Weather Records)

1936
Turtle Lake, North Dakota, had a mean temperature of -19.4°F in February, which constitutes the coldest monthly average temperature ever recorded in the lower 48 states. The village of Amenia, also in North Dakota, registered a maximum temperature of only 10°F for the entire month of January, perhaps the lowest MONTHLY maximum temperature ever measured in the lower 48 states.
(Extreme Weather p. 64, by Christopher C. Burt)

1964
Thompson Pass, AK finished the month with 346.1 inches of snow, a record monthly total for the state of Alaska.
(The Weather Channel)

1972
The maximum temperature today was 77°F and the minimum was 42°F at DCA.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1976
The maximum temperature for the date is 77 °F in Washington, DC.
(Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

1984
( February 27th to 29th) 6 inches or more of snow is common across Indiana; but areas north of Indianapolis had about 14 inches of snow. Strong winds today caused drifts to 8 feet. Some drifts were as long as one thousand feet and most roads in northern Indiana drifted shut. Interstate 65 remained impassable for several days due to the drifting snow.
(Ref. Weather Guide Calendar with Phenomenal Weather Events 2012 Accord Pub. 2011, USA)

1988
Leap Day proved to be a wet one for southern California, with 4.76 inches of rain reported at Tommys Creek in Ventura County. February went out like a lamb across much of the rest of the nation. Sixteen cities in the central and western United States reported record high temperatures for the date.
(The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1995
El Nino causes 3rd warmest winter ever (Dec.-February) for the entire US and in the top five wettest ever for the west and southwest.
(Bob Ryan's 2000 Almanac)

2000
February ends as the 12th consecutive winter month over four years with above average temperatures in Washington, DC.
(Bob Ryan's 2002 Almanac)

2008
Bethel, Maine:
The world's tallest snowman, actually a snowwoman, is unveiled in the western Maine town of Bethel. "Olympia," named for Maine Senator Olympia Snowe, is about 122 feet tall, 10 feet taller than "Angus, King of the Mountain," which has held the tallest snowman record since 1999. He was named for Angus King, Maine's governor at the time.
(Ref. WxDoctor)

2012
The winter in Richmond, Virginia tied for the fourth warmest winter since the beginning of mean temperature records in 1881.
(Ref. Richmond Weather Records - KRIC)
The Eight of the Top Ten Weather Events for 2012- Mild Winter
December-February warmth made this the fourth mildest winter in over 100 years across the contiguous United States, which also experienced the third smallest snow cover extent.
Top Ten 2012 Weather Events (Ref.Weatherwise May/June 2013 volumn 66 /number3 page 17)
The Ninth of the Top Ten Weather Events for 2012- February Tornado Outbreak.
February 28-29. One of the deadliest February outbreaks on record, Kansas to Indiana, took 15 lives. .
Top Ten 2012 Weather Events (Ref.Weatherwise May/June 2013 volumn 66 /number3 page 17)