Record Snow in DC

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AT A GLANCE
It's history: Winter 2009-2010 snowiest on record
Thu Fri Sat Records set at National, Dulles, and BWI Airports
*** Latest update: Winds, blowing snow still in high gear ***
--- --- ---
Post updated at 3:15
-- | 36 20 | 36 19 | 33
Sun Mon Tue Reagan National Airport (DCA) reported 1" of snow between 1 and 2 p.m.,
upping its storm total to 9.8". It has received 54.9" this year, exceeding the
54.4" of 1898-1899.
--- 50% ---
19 | 36 19 | 34 21 | 37 Keep reading for the full statement from the National Weather Service on the
snow record not only DCA but also at Dulles and BWI...
Forecast by
National Weather Service ...PRELIMINARY ALL-TIME SEASONAL SNOWFALL RECORDS SET AT
Go to CWG's Full Forecast THE THREE MAJOR CLIMATE SITES IN THE BALTIMORE-
RIGHT NOW
WASHINGTON AREA...
Radar, Temps & More: AS OF 2 PM TODAY...WITH THE 9.8 INCH TWO-DAY SNOWFALL
CWG's Weather Wall TOTAL MEASURED AT RONALD REAGAN WASHINGTON NATIONAL
AIRPORT...THE SEASONAL SNOWFALL TOTAL IN WASHINGTON DC
DCA | IAD | BWI STANDS AT 54.9 INCHES. THIS WOULD BREAK THE PREVIOUS ALL-
National Airport TIME SEASONAL SNOWFALL RECORD FOR WASHINGTON DC OF 54.4
Weather: Partly Cloudy INCHES SET IN THE WINTER OF 1898-99. OFFICIAL SNOWFALL
Temperature: 31.0 F (- RECORDS FOR WASHINGTON DC DATE BACK 126 YEARS TO 1884.
0.6 C)
AS OF 1 PM TODAY...WITH THE 11.9 INCH TWO-DAY SNOWFALL
Wind Chill: 20 F (-7 C)
TOTAL MEASURED AT BALTIMORE/WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL
Wind: Northwest at 16.1
THURGOOD MARSHALL AIRPORT...THE SEASONAL SNOWFALL TOTAL
MPH
IN BALTIMORE STANDS AT 72.3 INCHES. THIS WOULD BREAK THE
Dew Point: 17.1 F (-8.3 C)
PREVIOUS ALL-TIME SEASONAL SNOWFALL RECORD FOR
Pressure: 1007.8 mb
BALTIMORE OF 62.5 INCHES SET IN THE WINTER OF 1995-96.
Feb 11 2010, 7:52 am EST OFFICIAL SNOWFALL RECORDS FOR BALTIMORE DATE BACK 118
YEARS TO 1893.
FINALLY...AS OF YESTERDAY...THIS YEARS SEASONAL SNOWFALL
TOTAL AT DULLES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT STOOD AT 63.5
INCHES. THIS WOULD BREAK THE PREVIOUS SEASONAL SNOWFALL
RECORD OF 61.9 INCHES SET IN 1995-96. AS OF 1 PM THIS
AFTERNOON...THE TWO-DAY SNOWFALL TOTAL AT DULLES IS 8.5
INCHES...WHICH WOULD MAKE THIS YEARS SEASONAL SNOWFALL
Radar: Enlarge & Animate TOTAL 72.0 INCHES. OFFICIAL SNOWFALL RECORDS FOR DULLES
Wx Underground Radar DATE BACK 48 YEARS TO 1962.
Your Weather Photos
DC Webcam
THESE PRELIMINARY STORM TOTALS ARE AS OF THIS WEDNESDAY
TAKE ME TO...
AFTERNOON 10 FEB 2010...AND WILL BE UPDATED AFTER THE
CURRENT SNOW HAS ENDED.
Recent Posts
AS WITH ANY MAJOR CLIMATE RECORD ACHIEVEMENT...THESE
It's over, really
PRELIMINARY RECORDS WILL BE QUALITY CONTROLLED BY NOAA`S
It won't stop: Snow, wind
still pounding region
NATIONAL CLIMATIC DATA
CENTER OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
Storm to depart, takes
century-old record
along By Jason Samenow | February 10, 2010; 3:15 PM ET Local Climate ,
Snowmageddon
It's history: Winter 2009-
2010 snowiest on Previous: Uncle!... Winds, blowing snow still in high gear | Next: Storm to depart,
record takes century-old record along
Uncle!... Winds, blowing
snow still in high gear
Comments Please email us to report offensive comments.

ALMANAC
DCA | IAD | BWI

w00t!
National Airport
February 11, 2010 Posted by: cosmo12 | February 10, 2010 2:13 PM
Average Hi: 45 Share This: E-Mail | Technorati | Tag in Del.icio.us | Digg This
Average Lo: 29
Record Hi: 76 (1932)
Record Lo: -15 (1899) I am failing to understand this:
DCA reported 1" last year? And this ups our total how?
Yesterday at DCA
Hi: 30 Posted by: gconrads | February 10, 2010 2:15 PM
Lo: 29 Share This: E-Mail | Technorati | Tag in Del.icio.us | Digg This
Precip: 0.46 in
Past Data
So, will the Feds be open Friday or not?
BLOGROLL ;)
The Weather Channel
Posted by: Bious | February 10, 2010 2:16 PM
Blog
Share This: E-Mail | Technorati | Tag in Del.icio.us | Digg This
MarylandWeather.com
Blog
AccuWeather.com Blogs
Corrected statement to read "hour" instead of "year"
DCist.com
Jeff Masters' Posted by: Camden-CapitalWeatherGang | February 10, 2010 2:16 PM
Wunderblog Share This: E-Mail | Technorati | Tag in Del.icio.us | Digg This
Phillyweather.net
WXnation Wire
Dot.Earth Blog CWG, This storm is unbelievable. I predict that the schools in Montgomery
More Blogs County will be closed all of next week, Feb. 15 - Feb. 19. This estimate
assumes that we don't get any more snow during the next week. However, I
LINKS have heard reports that there's a possible storm on Tuesday. The new storm
By Category would then close school into the beginning of the following week, starting
with Feb. 22.
Current Conditions
Radar/Satellite Posted by: rginsburg | February 10, 2010 2:20 PM
Forecasts Share This: E-Mail | Technorati | Tag in Del.icio.us | Digg This
Models & Discussions
Local & National
Resources Where's the party?
Frequently Requested...
Posted by: tslats | February 10, 2010 2:21 PM
Local NWS Discussion Share This: E-Mail | Technorati | Tag in Del.icio.us | Digg This
Local Air Quality
Local UV Index
Local Pollen
I find it amazing that those school divisions that haven't canceled for the rest
of the week are still holding on to the hope that there will be classes
tomorrow and Friday.
ARCHIVES
Posted by: mortified469 | February 10, 2010 2:23 PM
Stories By Category
Alerts
YOWZA. And that record wasn't even measured anywhere close to the warm
Go
spot that now is DCA, right?
Stories By Date
Full Story Archive It's still snowing pretty good in North Arlington. It is light to moderate now,
as opposed to the blast we got all morning. All that work shoveling is being
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG quickly put to naught.
RSS Feed
Posted by: BadMommy1 | February 10, 2010 2:26 PM
Snow seems to have stopped - West Springfield. For now...or for good?
I grew up in Phoenix...this breaks MY snowiest winter record.
Posted by: bikerjohn | February 10, 2010 2:27 PM

Our trash is supposed to be picked up tomorrow. I doubt it will happen, but is

there any definitive source of information on this? Can the Post please put
something on the website (or someone direct me to where it is)? We have a
lot of trash here -- a family of four homebound all these days -- and I would
hate to miss the pickup, even though bringing the cans out will be difficult.
Also, what's this about a storm Tuesday?
Posted by: motc | February 10, 2010 2:28 PM

Old Town Alexandria update:

I just posted more photos to the slideshow of the whiteout conditions and
heavy winds we've been experiencing in Alexandria all day. At the top of the
post you'll find a nice 270 degree panoramic shot I pieced together with Pano
on my iPhone. Also, I shot another video which I've embedded at the bottom
of the post. I apologize for the audio but the wind is just too hard for the puny
little microphone ont he Flip to handle. HD version is coming as soon as
youtube processes it.
Posted by: joelhousman | February 10, 2010 2:28 PM

NWS is now stating 20-30 inches in their latest blizzard warning for the
Baltmore and Annapolis areas through Montgomery County.
Posted by: RandC | February 10, 2010 2:28 PM

@rginsburg
I'll defer to you and all others who have lived in the DC area for several
years+, but I just can't believe they couldn't clear the roads in time for school
to resume on Tuesday (Monday being a holiday, of course). If so, wow.
Posted by: Steve-wxtalkwordpresscom | February 10, 2010 2:28 PM

I agree that tv news coverage of the storms has been exceptionally stupid. You
You can find more intelligent commentary on this blog, and in saying that I'm
even taken into account the climate change nay-sayers and people from
Buffalo/Chicago telling people here they're overreacting.
Posted by: watchingweather | February 10, 2010 2:28 PM

Props to Pepco. In Takoma Park, the whole town used to go out in a heavy
fog. This time, most of the town is still up and running through all three
storms. And where the power is out, they've been out on the scene before the
plows.
Of course, the folks who ARE without power aren't going to agree. But once
this is over, I'd like to see figures comparing the power disruptions this time
to previous storms.
Posted by: bhirshon | February 10, 2010 2:30 PM

I propose a toast to the Winter of 2009-2010, like it or not. The bar is OPEN!
What's everybody having?
Posted by: Hoyas4Ever | February 10, 2010 2:30 PM

Okay, who's going to volunteer to print and sell the Official CWG Winter of
2009-2010 T-shirts?
Posted by: stuckman | February 10, 2010 2:30 PM

@stuckman - you could try googling "zazzle" - print to order ;)
Posted by: RandC | February 10, 2010 2:32 PM

Congrats again to CWG for ushering us bloggers through this historic event
and record! Great job, all --
Posted by: krosseel | February 10, 2010 2:32 PM

@stuckman
We're working on t-shirts.
Posted by: Jason-CapitalWeatherGang | February 10, 2010 2:32 PM

stuckman, good idea. seriously!

Stuckman:
As long as they don't say "I survived the Winter of '09-'10" With nearly six
weeks to go, that would be tempting fate.
Posted by: bhirshon | February 10, 2010 2:33 PM

I'm with ya, Hoyas4Ever! (and am, btw, a hoya myself). I've got - hmm. 5
bottles of Smithwicks, some white wine, and a few bottles of Dom. Start the
party!
On a more serious note - no new snow falling down here near Mt. Vernon - I
think the only snow in the air is that coming off the trees, roofs, etc. Guess
I'd better get out there and start shoveling (again) soon.
Posted by: alc_in_NoVa | February 10, 2010 2:33 PM

We have intermittent sun in Charles County, but it's still blowing a lot out
there!
Posted by: FrozenTundraTransplant | February 10, 2010 2:34 PM

Awesome!! Are we really going to keep this going long enough to see 20" out
here? I hope so, but I doubt it! Anyway, it looks as if we broke the all time
record!
Posted by: snowlover | February 10, 2010 2:34 PM

Old Town Alexandria update::
HD version of video now up. The most recent video is at the bottom.
Posted by: joelhousman | February 10, 2010 2:35 PM

Yay! So far, no stupid arguments about GW or CC on this new thread. Of

course, people have the right to express their opinions here, but why the need
for endless, pointless arguing back and forth about it? As far as I'm
concerned, it's a political dispute anyway and not a scientific one.
Posted by: justmike | February 10, 2010 2:35 PM

I'm psyched for a t-shirt, and will be having mimosas, but not until 4.
Posted by: watchingweather | February 10, 2010 2:35 PM

TerpzFan sorry to hear about leaks - can you describe the type that you are
getting - key is getting snow away from the house to reduce melt and seepage
if possible
Posted by: shackleton | February 10, 2010 2:35 PM

Great scoop!! Looking forward to the tees, CWG. Time to celebrate this
historic hour by, well, going for a stroll!
BTW, Hell may also freeze over today. It looks like DCA could top IAD for
this storm.
Posted by: JerryFloyd1 | February 10, 2010 2:35 PM

Here in Sterling it looks like the snow is ready to leave any second but it just
keeps coming down. The radar shows it just keeps hugging Loudoun county.
This is great. I hope I get off work tomorrow as well!
Posted by: justin-N-sterlingVa | February 10, 2010 2:36 PM

Sign me up for a t-shirt! I think it's a great idea.
Posted by: alc_in_NoVa | February 10, 2010 2:37 PM

alc_in_NoVa--It makes sense that we're the bartenders ;)...Hoya Saxa!

Nice tongue of moderate snow sneaking back into DC from the north!
Posted by: Camden-CapitalWeatherGang | February 10, 2010 2:39 PM

Hoyas4Ever, you said,

"I propose a toast to the Winter of 2009-2010, like it or not. The bar is
OPEN! What's everybody having?"
cheers! (hot chocolate and kahlua.)
Posted by: walter-in-fallschurch | February 10, 2010 2:39 PM

Looks like to snow has almost stopped in Vienna. BUT the radar looks like we
may have more snow due to the wrap around?
Posted by: notdlo1975 | February 10, 2010 2:39 PM

Anybody out there hear my questions about Manassas? Are we done for the
snow?
Posted by: manassasmissy | February 10, 2010 2:40 PM

It's quit snowing in Reston, at least for the moment. Just finished another
round of shoveling. Total new on the ground is about 7 inches.
Posted by: EricCarr | February 10, 2010 2:42 PM

WHY won't this storm leave? We've been sitting on the edge of it for hours
and now its getting worse. I am beginning to think it is never going away -
ever.
Posted by: hereandnow1 | February 10, 2010 2:42 PM

Yes, print up the t-shirts, polish the crown.

Snowiest ever. That's a record I never thought to see broken.
The only major old snowfall record left now in the Knickerbocker storm
benchmark.
Maybe we can wait for next year on that one.
The shoveling arm needs a long vacation.
Thanks for great coverage on all these mega-snow events.
Posted by: FIREDRAGON47 | February 10, 2010 2:43 PM

hi manassasmissy - snow is all done in Manassas

As of 1 pm, Springfield, Va, Franconia section, had received about 10 inches

of snow. Only flurries as of 2:30 pm.
I have recorded 61.7 inches of snow since Dec. 1.
Reagan National's longstanding seasonal snowfall record seemed like one of

those never-to-be-broken weather statistics. How about a snow angel or two
to celebrate the new mark?
Posted by: ricschwartz | February 10, 2010 2:47 PM

Hoyas4Ever, CWG, and the rest of us bloggers - cheers to you and yours! I
am having Bailey's & coffee. Trying not to freak out about the 20-30 inch
forecast from NWS.
Posted by: kathyb39 | February 10, 2010 2:47 PM

Just went out to clear my walk (again) and take a walk around the
neighborhood (Parkfairfax, Alexandria). Surprised to see water running down
the street around the corner. I bet *that* will be fun to navigate later tonight!
Posted by: truyle | February 10, 2010 2:48 PM

moderate snow here in northern PG County...it's amazing to hear that it's

already sunny in parts of Loudoun and PW Counties!!
Posted by: BH99 | February 10, 2010 2:48 PM

Snow looks to FINALLY be done in Ashburn.
Posted by: ThinkSpring | February 10, 2010 2:48 PM

Calvert County in southern Maryland is being pounded! Heavy snow and high
winds non-stop throughout the day. Our driveway is covered again and the
snow is already reaching the top of the snow walls we made when we dug
out. We'll easily be over a foot for this storm alone. Schools are closed the
rest of the week.
Posted by: ron@5millers.us.fm | February 10, 2010 2:48 PM

kathyb39 - to what forecast are you referring?

grf - nowcasting current radar while looking out the window is confusing.
Supposed to be slacking off here in Cabin John, MD but seemingly snow has
just picked up. Also last hour, somehing you don't see every day: a dust devil
made up of new fallen snow.
Posted by: Hawaiiexpat | February 10, 2010 2:50 PM

Farm buildings collapsing on Eastern Shore.
These stories will become commonplace in coming days. Just devastating

weather.
Let's all hope and pray that Mother Nature gives us several weeks of tranquil
weather.

I just measured 11.25" in N. Arlington at 1430 about 6 miles NW up the river

from DCA. The wind is scouring a bit off the top off of my old measuring
place, so I had to change over to a more protected area. Still quite windy with
moderate snowfall and still some good-sized flakes here.
The wind seems to be keeping the snow from accumulating any more on the
trees and wires. Hopefully we lost the weak trees over the weekend in
Snowmageddon so that the power will stay up.
I think that we can quit with the snow once we have new record. :-)
@watchingweather - I haven't had the TV on all day. I agree w/your

assessment of this site. I only found it during Snowpocalypse, but have been
addicted ever since.
Posted by: wx_bob | February 10, 2010 2:51 PM

Hi Camden - blizzard warning:

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST THIS
EVENING...
A BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST THIS

EVENING.
* PRECIPITATION TYPE...HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW.
* ACCUMULATIONS...STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL OF 20 TO 30

INCHES...WITH HIGHEST TOTALS NORTH AND EAST OF
BALTIMORE. DRIFTS 3 TO 6 FT.
I'm in HoCo, about 2 miles south of Clarksville.
Posted by: kathyb39 | February 10, 2010 2:51 PM

looks like things may start to finally ease up in dc after this next little band. dry
dry air slowly pushing east as the bands keep rotating in. net result is dry air
wins, but very slowly
Posted by: swishjobs | February 10, 2010 2:51 PM

Hawaiiexpat - snow here in DC is doing the same, bizarre blowing

patterns. Surreal!

hot chocolate and kahlua for walter; mimosas for watchingweather (a little
early but we're starting to get busy). And justmike, AGREED! Only in
Washington DC does a weather forum turn into a politcal debate!

Still snowing here in Sterling.

CWG: Part of what brought me to this site a few weeks ago was some of the
technical insight that you were adding in the comments. When someone
would post a question, you would answer it. I realize that you can't answer
everything but when someone adds that the NWS changed their forecast in
Montgomery County to 20-30" it would be helpful to know why. I am
worried that the site is getting too cluttered with people talking about names
of storms and global warming.
I love the site and I think you guys do a great job. Just looking for more input
rather than waiting for the next update.
Posted by: capsfan5 | February 10, 2010 2:53 PM

Still snowing at a reasonable clip here in Crystal City, albeit not as heavy as a
couple hours ago. Sky is definitely brightening up, and I have to think the end
is in sight. The winds are still going strong.
Posted by: acoberst1 | February 10, 2010 2:53 PM

@Hawaiiexpat - Just saw one of your "snow devils" here in my front yard in
N. Arlington! Never seen one before, either. Just when I was thinking that it
couldn't get any stranger here...

I thought the use of bold by commenters was strictly prohibited. Reserved for
use by CWG, if I recall correctly.
Mr. Q.
Posted by: Mr_Q | February 10, 2010 2:55 PM

NWS radar loop still shows snow over Alexandria til 8 p.m. Not snowing
now, so I'm wondering if this is some sort of backside virga or if the whole
thing is just moving faster than the radar projection shows.
Posted by: bodypolitic1 | February 10, 2010 2:55 PM

@GISman
In response to your request on a previous thread, you can get GIS Data
(KML at least, not sure about SHP) on the NWS website:
http://radar.weather.gov/GIS.html
Hope that helps!
Posted by: bdeco | February 10, 2010 2:56 PM

Sun came out for about five minutes, wind blew around like crazy, now it's
lightly snowing again, in So Central FFX County
Posted by: labs4m3 | February 10, 2010 2:56 PM

Potomac, Potomac...how much in Potomac, my childhood home? Now I see

why NWS upped totals to 20-30" in Montgomery/Howard! These bands just
keep on comin'!
Note that the GFS 12Z model run showed such an outcome through 00Z (7
PM). From afar, this is a totally amazing event. I remember how the Jan 6-8
1996 storm had its overrunning side (with 12-15 inches) followed by an
extended back-end (another 9 or so inches of powder). But that was similar
to "Snowmageddon".
In history (when we had measurements or estimates of the flow aloft), there

has never been an event for DC/Balt quite like this! Just goes to show that like
the proverbial snowflake, no two weather systems are totally alike...analogues
only carry so far.
But, as I've posted earlier, the 2010 versions of the models did a fantastic job
pinpointing this event, with liquid equivalent forecasts in the 0.75 to 1.5 range,
which, including the hard to measure powder, made the 10-20 DC metro, 16-
24 north central/northeast MD forecasts plausible.
The hard part begins tomorrow. Hopefully people continue to work together
to stay safe, as seems to have been the case so far this winter.
Posted by: wxdancer | February 10, 2010 2:57 PM

1. Definitely count me as in the line for a shirt when snow is done. For the
winter. If we actually have the snowiest ever. Especially at DCA, sheesh. :)
2. Sun is peeking out in South Riding/SE Loudoun. (I never know if people

recognize the semi-newer locations!)
Posted by: leesweet | February 10, 2010 2:57 PM

I'm seriously wondering when schools in Fairfax Co. will reopen. Massive
number of schools that will probably require front end loaders to move the
snow. I agree with the earlier posting that they'll be closed all next week.
We just aren't prepared for this kind of snow here.
Posted by: mchristinaw | February 10, 2010 2:57 PM

Raw obs from DCA report another 1" (rounded) increase since the
report that started this post.
Posted by: Ian-CapitalWeatherGang | February 10, 2010 2:58 PM

@bodypolitic1: Where in Alexandria? It's definitely still snowin' and blowin'

here at Parkfairfax (off 395, across from Shirlington).

Cheers to you too, kathyb39. We are witnessing history. Not in our wildest
dreams would we have imagined this a year ago, while breathlessly
anticipating a 5-inch snowfall on March 1! Bailey's & coffee comin' right
up...be careful it's hot.

Personal note: I'm originally from Hawaii. It's probably in the low 80s there
today. I moved here on purpose. I had to post this here because my wife is so
cold (just by looking out the window) that she's not talking to me. May be
appreciating the snow from the couch tonight with the dog.
Posted by: Hawaiiexpat | February 10, 2010 2:59 PM

By about 2:30pm in Springfield, the snow seems to have stopped. The sky had
had been getting a bit brighter over the past hour. I get about 8 inches still in
measuring, but considering drifting, there's very little accuracy.
Posted by: DrMeglet | February 10, 2010 2:59 PM

capsfan, the NWS hasn't necessarily changed its forecast in MoCO. The
20-30 inch forecast is in the blizzard warning encompassing many
counties. 20-30 inches is mentioned for the counties North of Baltimore.
MoCo's point forecast is seperate from that.
Posted by: Brian-CapitalWeatherGang | February 10, 2010 2:59 PM

I took a walk around the Downtown Silver Spring area and boy, the place
looks eerie. The snow is light but the winds are a big factor.
Posted by: IvantheTerrible | February 10, 2010 2:59 PM

The radar shows the trailing edge just lingering and lingering over DC. Go
ahead and move on north already! This storm has snoverstayed its welcome,
thanks very much.
Posted by: member8 | February 10, 2010 2:59 PM

The sun is peeking out in Fair Lakes!
@ThinkSpring, what did we end up with in Ashburn -- about 7" or so? Won't
get back up that way until close to 8 tonight.
Posted by: natsncats | February 10, 2010 3:01 PM

truyle:
'bout halfway between Old Town and Mt. Vernon. maybe a stray flurry or
two - hard to tell with all the swirling wind-blown snow.
Posted by: bodypolitic1 | February 10, 2010 3:01 PM

I just got in from shoveling for the last several hours. I noticed my gutters
(and all my neighbors's gutters) are overflowing with ice because of the
several feet of snow on the roofs. Being 30ft above the ground, I cannot get
to it even if I wanted.
I see there's more snow for Monday? Say it isn't so!!
Posted by: david_in_stafford | February 10, 2010 3:02 PM

I'm so glad I'm not the only one drinking.
Posted by: 300_sq_ft | February 10, 2010 3:03 PM

My predictions:
Snow fall for Feb. 11 - Feb. 28: 10"

Snow fall for March: 30"
Snow fall for April: 25"
Snow fall total for season = 120"
Posted by: NYY1 | February 10, 2010 3:05 PM

CWG - you guys pretty much nailed this storm.
Thank you for your continued excellent analysis and forecasting.
About 11" of fresh powder in an isolated (not prone to drifting or effects of

buildings) spot here in Thomas Circle about 5 blocks from the White House.
You had me right on the line between 6-10 and 8-16.
Well done.

"farm buildings collapsing"... not to diminish the negative storm effects, but it
seems the blog has it's own Debbie Downer... and you know, feline leukemia
is the No. 1 killer of cats.
Sun tried to make it through, but the snow is still coming down in Geogetown
for now. Depending on your point of view "all good things must come to an
end" or "this too shall pass."
Posted by: manatt | February 10, 2010 3:05 PM

Doug Hill just said the storm is filling in on the back end because its getting
more moisture from the ocean.

@CWG is it totally out of the question that NW AA county could see 18" out
of his storm?

If DCA is indeed over 10" for the event, is this a DC 'official' all time record
for # of 10+ inchers in a single winter?
Posted by: wxdancer | February 10, 2010 3:09 PM

Anyone else have a migraine today from the storm? Got the visual "aura" about
about 11 this morning. That finally went away and now my head is pounding.
Was the barometric pressure that low today? I know some people had posted
about migraines with this past weekend's storm.
Posted by: tsqnova | February 10, 2010 3:10 PM

Thank you CWG!
I just had a stroll around Crystal City and by Route 1 - freaking ghost town.
Only a few streets have been plowed but are difficult to even walk on. I gave
up on measuring a while ago, but I'm extremely close to DCA so i'll have to
go by that plus a few.
Posted by: pzkpfw | February 10, 2010 3:12 PM

According to the warning e-mail that I just got from the NWS, the 20-30 inch
accumulation covers the following areas:
WA-FREDERICK MD-CARROLL-NORTHERN BALTIMORE-HARFORD-

MONTGOMERY-HOWARD-SOUTHERN BALTIMORE-PRINCE
GEORGES-ANNE ARUNDEL-
INCLUDING THE CITIES
OF.HAGERSTOWN.FREDERICK.WESTMINSTER.
GAITHERSBURG.COLUMBIA.BALTIMORE.ANNAPOLIS
Posted by: LLLrrr555 | February 10, 2010 3:14 PM

Whoa! I see the sun! Out my back window in Vienna.
Posted by: shepdave2003 | February 10, 2010 3:14 PM

yes...CWG had the same accumulation map well before the onslaught on the
storm. And it seems to be very accurate. Generally closer to 16 rather than 8
in most areas north of the Beltway, but otherwise perfect...

CWG-make some of the Tshirts kids size...son still wants to be a "super

meteorologists" cause they "ROCK"! Although it sounding more
like "meteorists Rock"...we're working on it.
We are about to fill zip loc baggies with snow...place them around the house
and see how long each takes to melt. We are even going to come up with
a "hippopotamus" about our experiment.
Are we scraping bottom for entertainment?
Posted by: motherrunner | February 10, 2010 3:16 PM

even if Doug Hill is correct about the backfilling theory, the shield of
snow around DC is already weakening. Last gasp.

Here in North Central Carroll we have snow half way up our garage. We got at
at the least 2+ feet from this storm alone. Still snowing heavly with occasional
gusts of wind.
Posted by: jamesgree | February 10, 2010 3:16 PM

89th....
Still happening here in Riverdale Park, MD. Heavy snow, gusty wind. OMG I
am going to have so much fun tomorrow!
Can't wait to see what walter-in-falls-church will come up with this time.
Posted by: ChickenLady | February 10, 2010 3:16 PM

Still snowing heavily (sideways) in southern Frederick County.
Posted by: LLLrrr555 | February 10, 2010 3:16 PM

Hawaiiexpat,
Moved back here - home - after almost 7 years on Oahu in part because I
missed the DC winters. Riiiight.
HAD I a wife . . . Good luck with that.
(Wonder if they've had the Kona Winds period yet this year.)
Posted by: stevie_in_gp | February 10, 2010 3:17 PM

@natsncats
Really hard to say, but I'm guessing around 8-9". Be careful getting back this
way.
@manatt - You can't be serious. I'm a Debbie Downer for reporting on the
destructive effects of this storm?????? You snow lovers are becoming
insufferable.

Fairfax County just closed schools for the rest of the week:
"Feb. 10 - 3 p.m. -- All Fairfax County public schools will be closed

Thursday, Feb. 11 and Friday, Feb. 12. Offices will be closed Thursday, Feb.
11. Essential personnel are to report to work."
Posted by: Melewen | February 10, 2010 3:18 PM

Somebody please tell me this is hysteria taking over:
"Meteorologists with Accuweather.com are monitoring a weather

system "with the potential for a new round of heavy snow" on Monday,
according to a statement from the service."
from 'Snomore Please' at http://voices.washingtonpost.com/local-breaking-

news/#blizzard2
Posted by: dowling855 | February 10, 2010 3:19 PM

wxdancer: I was happy because we got the all-time snowfall record and a
record 3 double-digit snows in one season, to say nothing of only the second
(right?) 30+ month on record. Am I missing a double-digit storm? You said
4...
As for the measuring point in 1899, I'd guess that today, that spot doesn't get
any more snow than DCA does, and it might get less. Remember how much
bigger and warmer the urban heat island is now than it was in 1899.
Posted by: doubtingdavid | February 10, 2010 3:21 PM

95-96, 02-03, 09-10... beware the winter of 2016-17!
Posted by: snowbiz | February 10, 2010 3:21 PM

Tom Kierein said a "few inches" is possible with this one.

The snow is slowing moving out of the Eldersburg area. Intensity of the snow
snow is down, but the wind is still howling! 21+ inches of new snow on the
ground here with 5 foot+ drifts. For this area, the forecast was a bit of a bust
on the high side. The snow totals coming out of Carroll County (and the ones
we'll soon to see out of Baltimore and Harford Counties) are MUCH higher
than expected. I just hope BWI can open runways by Friday AM!
Posted by: DLO1975 | February 10, 2010 3:23 PM

Ok, records smashed. This winter is #1. Now, time to move along. C'mon
spring.
6 ft at Dulles?? Wow.

Being that we're supposed to go to Hershey to see the Bears on Sunday, I

expect another blizzard...
Posted by: ValleyCaps | February 10, 2010 3:24 PM

Wow. Looks like Bowie and Upper Marlboro are getting creamed right now.
Here, Laytonsville, MD, Visibility is still under 300ft. Serious drifting.
Posted by: dprats21 | February 10, 2010 3:25 PM

My guess is the Governemnt reopens tommorrow with the opportunity to use

leave if you still can't make it in.
Posted by: USNavy28x | February 10, 2010 3:25 PM

ThinkSpring - I think you might want to change your name

to....IfYouCan'tBeatEmJoinEm!

The sun is out now in Manassas, though very hazily so; it's peeking through
cloud cover. Still very cold, but the wind isn't too severe. Actually, the
temperature seems to have gone up slightly and the snow/ice that was still on
my car windows earlier has gone. I was able to cut a path out to the street
(which has been plowed) for my car without too much effort, the
accumulation on the pavement was only maybe 3" - 4". Will have to be very
very careful tomorrow morning because of the large amounts of ice that are
certain to be around, but I should be able to get to work.
Posted by: jadmirel | February 10, 2010 3:25 PM

@USNavy28x
There's no chance the FED is open tomorrow in DC. Metro will not be able to
dig out the above ground lines; Friday is questionable. Not to mention DC will
need at least a day to plow out of this. I think the FED will re-open Tuesday;
Friday at the earliest.

finished my cocoa and kahlua. kathy's coffee and bailey's sounds good.
i'll be driving to baltimore this afternoon and.... just kidding! not going
anywhere - except a stroll around the neighborhood. what a day (again)!
it's really TRYING to stop snowing here, but...this storm just won't leave!
anyway, still just barely snowing. i'd say we got 8 or 9 or 10 inches....but
who knows....with the drifts?!?
Posted by: walter-in-fallschurch | February 10, 2010 3:27 PM
I've been very calm and serene but the prospect of another snowstorm
Monday is making me PANIC. Any info? Thoughts? Prognostications?
Also, I cannot find any info on trash removal tomorrow in DC. Anyone?
Posted by: motc | February 10, 2010 3:28 PM

What does this mean:
THESE PRELIMINARY RECORDS WILL BE QUALITY CONTROLLED BY

NOAA`S NATIONAL CLIMATIC DATA
CENTER OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
Does this mean that the snow is stored in a vault somewhere :)?
Posted by: shackleton | February 10, 2010 3:29 PM

Wow, tsqnova, so sorry about your migraine! I wonder if there's a weather

connection like you suspect -- something to do with atmospheric pressure,
maybe? Or just all the excitement and stress?
Posted by: ChickenLady | February 10, 2010 3:29 PM

Sun sighted from Fort Myer Heights. Very brief, though. Still snowing and
blowing.
Posted by: Juan-John | February 10, 2010 3:30 PM

Bastardi says the Sunday/Monday storm is going south. No merging of the jet
streams. Just a clipper for the DC area with a couple of inches. The following
weekend could be a different story; but that's a long way off.

NWS just issued an updated snow total of 20-30 inches. It's been snowing like
like crazy for the past 1-2 hours here in Columbia. The official NWS snow
total for Columbia at 1 pm was 11.5". Hard to say how much more we've
gotten since then.
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
306 PM EST WED FEB 10 2010
MDZ004>007-010-011-110300-
/O.EXT.KLWX.BZ.W.0002.000000T0000Z-100211T0300Z/
FREDERICK MD-CARROLL-NORTHERN BALTIMORE-HARFORD-
HOWARD-
SOUTHERN BALTIMORE-
INCLUDING THE CITIES
OF...FREDERICK...WESTMINSTER...COLUMBIA...
BALTIMORE
306 PM EST WED FEB 10 2010
...BLIZZARD WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EST THIS

EVENING...
THE BLIZZARD WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EST THIS

EVENING.
* PRECIPITATION TYPE...HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW.
* ACCUMULATIONS...STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL OF 20 TO 30

INCHES...WITH
HIGHEST TOTALS NORTH AND EAST OF BALTIMORE. DRIFTS 3 TO 6
FT.
* TIMING...HEAVY SNOW AND GUSTY WINDS WILL CONTINUE

INTO THIS
EVENING.
* TEMPERATURES...LOWER 20S.
* WINDS...NORTHWEST 25 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS AROUND 55

MPH.
BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WILL REDUCE VISIBILITIES TO A
QUARTER
MILE OR LESS AT TIMES... PRODUCING BLIZZARD CONDITIONS.
Posted by: beach57 | February 10, 2010 3:32 PM

first sign of the sun in Clarendon. still moderate and blowing snow.
Posted by: novajeffc | February 10, 2010 3:32 PM

CWG, how is snowfall measured when it's blowing so around severely in

blizzard conditions? We had shoveled our driveway completely and had 7"
back at noon.
Posted by: elizestrada | February 10, 2010 3:34 PM

Sun peeking out in Ashburn

Holy wind Batman - just blowing like Topper said it would. Legit ground
blizzard here in Southern Loudoun right now.
Posted by: DullesARC | February 10, 2010 3:34 PM

Canopies collapsing at American University.
http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local-beat/Canopy-Collapses-at-AU-
84038872.html
I guess you could wish for warmer weather, but that would lead to serious
flooding. Oh dear.
Despite brightening skies, it's still snowing in Georgetown :))
Posted by: manatt | February 10, 2010 3:35 PM

Final flakes (falling, anyway) here in DC

Hate to ask a repeat question - but what is the CWG prediction for federal
closing on Thursday Feb 11?
Thx
Posted by: jbongard | February 10, 2010 3:35 PM

I can no longer tell if it is still snowing or if the wind is just blowing the snow
around here in downtown Silver Spring. It is still wicked nasty outside!
Posted by: JLF03 | February 10, 2010 3:35 PM

Finally, the snowfall is becoming ligher (but the wind is not) here in NW DC, I
I estimate 13" of new snow-judging from a protected wall that was clean
yesterday.
Posted by: arrabbiato | February 10, 2010 3:36 PM

@wxdancer, I doubt there have been three previous recorded winters on
record with three 24th & L/DCA snowfalls of 10"+, but will leave it to CWG
to verify. Certainly not since 1966!
Just back from climbing the Glover Park Alps. Now I know what it's like to
be in a Great Plains blizzard. Have never seen "overhang" or cresting snow
drifts hereabouts before but I did see one coming up the steep hill on 39th St.
The storm is now definitely winding down in NW D.C. Looks like the eastern
suburbs are still getting it, though.
We should be closing in on the all-time monthly snowfall record (Feb. 1899)

for Washington. Will also leave that one for CWG.

http://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?
site=NWS&issuedby=LWX&product=PNS&format=CI&version=1&glossary
=0&highlight=off

@shackleton: They double-check the snow to make sure some goofball didn't
dump talcum powder in the snow gauge.
Posted by: kevinwparker | February 10, 2010 3:38 PM

Snow Snow Snow afloat.. Gently Snowverkill... Merrily Merrily Merrily.. No

more til next year!!
Posted by: pgoco | February 10, 2010 3:38 PM

CWG, can you please estimate when the snow will be out of Montgomery
County? I'm really starting to think it's never going to stop. Thank you.
Posted by: formerwxman1 | February 10, 2010 3:39 PM

Well, the house finally sprung a leak. There is a 2 foot overhang over my front
front with the gutter right above it, below the mansard roof. The ice build up
has forced some water to find its way along the inside of the soffit, and
through the molding of my new front door. So, I have a very slow drip of
water right inside the front door. Damn, cannot believe it. I know I'm not the
only one, and I hope this is the worst that it gets, but still.
I'm really not sure what to do except try to see if I can get some of that ice
off the gutters again. I tried yesterday, but it's like and inch of concrete for
the most part.
Ugh.
Posted by: bobosnow | February 10, 2010 3:39 PM

Although I am only about 8-10 miles SW of IAD and Sterling's office, I have
had 84 inches this year - I had a few more inches with each of the smaller
events earlier that give me the extra foot. 16 inches to get to the century
mark. I have a feeling that we are going to hit it in the next month.
Seven Feet of Snow. Feeeeets and Feeeets of snow.

With continued warming of the oceans and thus continued absorption of

moisture into the atmosphere, I think it's safe to say we can expect more
damp winters like this one in the future.
Looks like DC will have to budget more for snow removal and less for
education. Ooops, looks like they already budget next-to-nothing for schools.
My bad.
Posted by: jsmith33351 | February 10, 2010 3:40 PM

I say it's getting lighter here in Glover Park, NW DC, because I can now, for
the first time all day, see the woods out in the distance, beyond my windows.

HEY CWG TEAM: I WAS INTERVIEWED BY THE WEATHER CHANNEL

TODAY!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiBrmWTr4BY
Greg
Posted by: stinkerflat1 | February 10, 2010 3:41 PM

I have taken a course in Tea Bag logic, and have come to the following
conclusion: the snow is President Obama's fault. Obama is a commie, 20
years ago Russia was commie, Russia has lots of snow, therefore the snow is
Obama's fault because he is a commie.
Time to apply for an internship on the palin tea bag express...
Posted by: John1263 | February 10, 2010 3:42 PM

Went out to shovel in Olney. I couldn't measure because the yardstick is

blown over and buried somewhere. Big wind gusts and blowing snow and it
is still coming down here in Montgomery County.
I cleaned off the heat pump and the connections were buried in ice as icicles
are dripping (bizarre factor) and then the drips refreeze into inches of ice.
I enjoy reading these posts.
Posted by: celestun100 | February 10, 2010 3:44 PM

Once again... where are all the people shouting BUST this time yesterday (and
this time last week as well)?? Any of you care to comment on this, or perhaps
give us more of your insightful commentary on how the rest of the winter
will go?
Posted by: skaterman2297 | February 10, 2010 3:44 PM

Greg, was that you from Leesburg, I believe?! Saw that! Nice job.
Posted by: bobosnow | February 10, 2010 3:45 PM

So... um, when's the next storm?

I heard something about next week.
hey, anyone have any bread?

That was the only thing we could not find yesterday. we have been snarfing
everything you can imagine on Triscuits though.
It's kind of like party food over here!
Posted by: rdb2 | February 10, 2010 3:45 PM

Wondering what everyone thinks the chances are of the Federal Government
being open on Friday (I think its safe to call tomorrow off)...
I'd say about 10%.
Posted by: dsmith236 | February 10, 2010 3:47 PM

Crazy winds in Centreville VA. Picking up vast quantities of snow & driving
sideways. I think it's useless now to finalize car cleanup efforts.
The snow is over(in VA & DC....sorry MD), but this is still a dangerous
storm.
@bobosnow so sorry about your house.
Posted by: FIREDRAGON47 | February 10, 2010 3:49 PM

Greg - Insanity now. Nice!

Hey Weather Gang, I was supposed to pick up my fiancee last Saturday and
finish up our move to Boston yesterday. With all this snow its been pushed
back a week. My question is will he be able to fly in this Saturday?? What
about us packing up a pod on Monday and driving to Boston Tuesday? Our
lease here is about to be up...so let me know what you think so I can make
some sort of plan C.
Thanks!!
Posted by: nmoen | February 10, 2010 3:53 PM

Yeah - not buying that the last of the snow is here as the big bands seem to be
shifting back towards as vs away from us.
Posted by: hereandnow1 | February 10, 2010 3:55 PM

For those of us who really detest the NWS DCA site being the "official"
measurement of weather in DC, Doug Hill gave an excellent, concise opinion
on why it isn't appropriate. Essentially, he said that not only does it skews the
numbers down in the winter, but it also skews the numbers down in the
summer. But, in closing, he said it really doesn't reflect the real impact of
weather on the region.
I hope the NWS considers moving the "official site" to someplace else more
reflective of the impact of weather on the region.
Posted by: singleseatbiggermeat | February 10, 2010 3:56 PM

Uh-oh, Science Daily is warning that Springs following wet winters are five to
to six times more likely to have multiple dangerous tornado days.
C'mon ThinkSpring, have a drink with us. Of course we're all hoping and
praying that everyone is safe. Life is dangerous here on Planet Earth.

Looks like snow's trying to quit here in Alexandria...but still pretty breezy.
What's the general forecast for next 12 hours in NoVA? Can we expect this
end-of-snow trend to continue? (The correct answer is YES)

All you "global warming" eco-nut fanatical supporters, let's see if you'll get
some poetic justice if we send you to DC and get buried by 5-10 feet of snow.
Incidentally, CO2 or carbon dioxide is what we exhale and it's what the trees
inhale. It's not poisonous and it's not a pollutant. Without CO2, the trees
would die and there'll be no plant life on earth. CO or carbon monoxide is the
pollutant. The "global warming" wacko politicians, including Al Gore and
Schwarzenegger, and the "global warming" scientists often confuse between
the 2 compounds.
Posted by: ry1975 | February 10, 2010 4:00 PM

Good thing we have global warming.
Posted by: dogsbestfriend | February 10, 2010 4:00 PM

The wind has picked up here in Gainesville, and there is tree debris all over the
the snow in our backyard. Temps still holding steady around 30 degrees.
Snow stopped some time ago, but it's blowing around now.
Posted by: jaradel | February 10, 2010 4:02 PM

Wow.. 5" of new snow at BWI airport past 3 hrs. Snowdepth now an amazing
amazing 33".. almost 3 feet on the level! A historic winter for sure...
Posted by: snowbiz | February 10, 2010 4:02 PM

Make it stop snowing at BWI. Please. Uncle. UNCLE!! Totals in a lot of the
area north of DC are going to be between 18-28 inches; WOW!

Wow, SCIENTISTS often confuse things?? Uhh, I think the post-1995

preferred term is "Global Climate Change." The numbers are there: look 'em
up.
"It's a fact!" (Said in a Scottish accent.)

@singleseat, who wrote, complaining about DCA as the site of the NWS:
"I hope the NWS considers moving the "official site" to someplace else more
reflective of the impact of weather on the region."
QUESTION: WOULD NOT THE SAME ARGUMENT OBTAIN

SOMEWHERE ELSE? WHAT THE EFF DIFFERENCE WOULD IT MAKE
IF IT WERE DCA, OR ANNANDALE VA, OR NW DC? YEAH, THERE'S
PROBABLY BE SOME DIFFERENCES IN THE TEMPS, RAINFALL,
SNOWFALL, ETC., WHEREEVER THE HELL THE NWS PLACES ITSELF
IN THE REGION, RIGHT? SO HOW DOES IT FOLLOW THAT PLACING
THE NWS IN ANOTHER LOCATION MAKE IT "MORE REFLECTIVE OF
WEATHER IN THE REGION:? HUH?
That's a pretty dumb a ss statement, you have to admit!
SHEESH!

Or were you just screwing with me, ry1975? Ohh, I see what you did there.
You got me.

Looks like the snow has about stopped here in N. Arlington.
How many local snow event have we had this winter? I have five recorded -
19 Dec, 30 Jan, 3 Feb, 5/6 Feb, and today. I thought there was another one
earlier than Dec but I can't remember for sure. Thanks for your help!

ry1975, your post clearly shows your lack of understanding when it comes to
Global Warming. CO2 is responsible for global warming. If you don't believe
me, spend a couple of minutes covering yourself up with a blanket at night
and see if it doesn't get warmer. When there is more CO2 in the atmosphere
than the trees can take in, that means it's only going to get warmer. CO2 also
isn't the only thing that warms the atmosphere.
Posted by: Thundershock | February 10, 2010 4:07 PM

Oh for the love of Pete, we've been hijacked again. Save the CW talk
for the GW articles folks, we've got a blizzard on our hands.

So...seeing that's it's only mid-feburary, it is too crazy to suggest that we

might add on to our season snow totals before all is said and done?
*hides under a snow drift...*
After all, it'll be weird to have a week where it doesn't snow 10 inches.
Posted by: SWester2010 | February 10, 2010 4:09 PM

GW talk, oops.

After taking several measurements it looks like we ended up with a foot here in
in what was described yesterday as the Bermuda Triangle between North
Arlington, Falls Church, and McLean.
Posted by: TheLongWinter | February 10, 2010 4:11 PM

Ummm... what? This seems a little bullish...
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/threats/threats.gif
Posted by: Steve-wxtalkwordpresscom | February 10, 2010 4:11 PM

Brian-like I said earlier, talk of GW interspersed with local weather is VERY

relevant to this blog! Why is it so hard for you and others to get that
connection, huh?
As for the "blizzard" it may be on where YOU are, but here in NW DC IT IS

NO MAS-light snow and wind blowing, but no white-out conditions at all.

Yes, DC sets a record by the count at National Airport. (And how can one
airport be named for two presidents?) But, we all know the average snow
level for these two blizzards has been higher than the readings the weather
service gets at National. My measurement at 16th and Belmont NW was a
good 5 inches higher then their measurement for the weekend storm. So, if
you want to compare apples to apples, I don't think the locations of National
and BWI accomplish that when it comes to measuring accumulations.
Posted by: jhiscott | February 10, 2010 4:13 PM

If CWG is going to do a t-shirt, how about one at the end of all the snow with
all the records on it swirling in a blizzard or something.
Posted by: TVDIVA | February 10, 2010 4:13 PM

It's as if we're stuck in the movie Groundhog Day!

Great weather site guys. I was just told about it this week...just in time.
Thought snow had quit 2 hrs ago. Saw the sun. Shoveled. It's been coming
down harder this last hour than all morning! Any hope for Bowie??
Posted by: Steve-in-Bowie | February 10, 2010 4:15 PM

Not to get off topic, but is it too early to predict anything about the potential
for snow early next week? My Weatherbug gadget says we might get snow
on Monday.
Posted by: jaradel | February 10, 2010 4:16 PM

Bobosnow, I am hoping the same problem does not occur over my master
bedroom. I have some serious ice damming going on near the downspout. It's
over 30ft above ground, so even if I was able to get up there with a ladder, I
doubt I could do much except remove the gutter and clear the snow. I think
homeowner's insurance will cover damage from ice damming, so take a look
at your policy.
Posted by: david_in_stafford | February 10, 2010 4:18 PM

For everyone who hasn't yet posted their comment on "look at the global
warming now/Al Gore can shovel my car out", I've got a fabulous joke as
fresh as your global warming comments:
What's black and white and read all over?
A newspaper!!!
Hahahahahaha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
I hope no one died laughing.
Posted by: elizestrada | February 10, 2010 4:18 PM

Why don't you GW folks open up your own chat space somewhere, anywhere
anywhere but here, and leave the rest of us in peace. We're all totally sick of
it!

I can see it now- low forms off the Delmarva on Monday and brings 10" to
DC, 15" to Baltimore, and 20" to Philly, NJ, and Long Island. Just like today!!
And then the Fed Gov't. closed on Tuesday after Monday's holiday!!

@arrabbiato, I have to agree with you. The last thing we need to do is move
official measurement site to obtain inflated snow totals, inflated temperature
extremes, etc. One reason why is that the current snowfall record set today
needs to have an asterisk next to it because the 1898-1899 season was
measured from a different location. Moving the site would also create doubt
about climate change science. (How can you trust increasing temperature data
if some of the official recording sites were moved specifically to record
increased temperature in the summer?) No, we need a consistent location to
record official weather statistics. Doug Hill is an imbecile.
Posted by: prokaryote | February 10, 2010 4:19 PM

First of all, arrabbiato, yes, it is very relevant, when we have articles

and discussions on it. Which we provide plenty of.
Secondly, it may not be a blizzard where YOU are, but for many in our
area, there is still heavy snow coming down and white-outs a-plenty.

Can someone tell me "GW" talk is?
Posted by: otavio | February 10, 2010 4:20 PM

Nice video, Greg! :-)
Posted by: Juan-John | February 10, 2010 4:20 PM

NO MORE SNOW is falling here in Glover Park, NW DC-very strong winds

though. Snow plow trucks are out on the roads already.

It seems to be tapering off here in Silver Spring, but, it is still snowing.
Posted by: Murre | February 10, 2010 4:21 PM

arrabbiato is a troll. He gets his energy from your responses; don't feed him.

Brian, apologies. For those who wish to have more than one comment thread
going:
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-
klein/2010/02/no_the_snow_does_not_disprove.html
There's only one person who wants to have a GW thread here. I'm a CWG
guy all the way. My tit-for-tatting is done. Again: apologies.

Doug Hill IS an imbecile, procaryote-straight up! David Letterman got that

right years ago-(although he formally apologized to Doug Hill later)

@ Steve
Monday's threat can be generalized this way - GFS is spitting out a half inch
or so of liquid five days out. Thats heavy snow; six inches shuts this town
down in winters past. Who am I to argue with the models this year?

It looks like there's yet another new post up.
Posted by: Murre | February 10, 2010 4:25 PM

No, SWester, I am not a "troll." BUT YOU, ON THE OTHER HAND, SHOW
THAT YOU ARE NOT VERY BRIGHT FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO
FIGURE OUT WHAT THE DEFINITION OF A "TROLL" TRULY IS,
RIGHT?

@ry1975
"Incidentally, CO2 or carbon dioxide is what we exhale and it's what the trees
inhale. It's not poisonous and it's not a pollutant."
Actually it can be poisonous. Watched a show about 2 African lakes "turning

over" and the amount of CO2 that was released killed over 2000 people, plus
animals, insects, etc.
Everything in small doses - even snow :-)
Posted by: kygurl94 | February 10, 2010 4:28 PM

@ arrabbiato
Brian and the rest of the CWG set the tone since this is their house. They
asked you nicely to keep the topic on the SNOW even not GW but it seems
that you can't take nice warning. If you really want to talk about GW, why
don't you find some other place to do that and leave the rest of us to talk
about the SNOW event. Cheers mate!
Posted by: IvantheTerrible | February 10, 2010 4:32 PM

No need to shout, arrabi. The cabin fever is getting to us all.
As for next week's models, is it really possible to get another onslaught of

heavy snow? And I presume no time for significant melting between now and
then?
Great work CWG!

Sorry Brian, but, much as you would like to, you will NOT be able to prevent
anyone here on this blog (short of being a fascist and deleting the comments)
from interspersing their local weather observations with comments/links re
GW as well-you just won't and shouldn't! The two go hand in hand WITH
SUCH EXCEPTIONAL WEATHER-THE KEY IS THE EXCEPTIONAL
BLIZZARD SNOWSTORM/SNOWFALL TOTALS FOR AN AREA THAT
NEVER RECEIVES THIS MUCH!
OTHERWISE, I MIGHT AGREE WITH YOU THAT IT WOULD NOT

NECESSARILY BE RELEVANT ON A WEATHER BLOG, BUT, BUT!
GIVEN THE RECORD SNOWFALL TOTALS, IT IS RELEVANT TO TALK
GW HERE AND ITS POSSIBLE CONNECTION TO THIS
EXTRAORDINARY WEATHER AS WELL!

Sadly the storm has already claimed lives on I80 with a 50 vehicle pileup
involving 30 semis. Please if you don't have to be on the road, don't go out. If
you are slow down and be aware of this dangerous situation on the roads.
Posted by: jameschirico | February 10, 2010 4:39 PM

Did someone shut down this thread?
Posted by: krosseel | February 10, 2010 5:04 PM

I believe this weather will continue, until Al Gore is offered as a burnt sacrifice
sacrifice to Ma Nature. I could be wrong, but why take a chance?
Posted by: truck9009 | February 10, 2010 5:42 PM

Since the snow fall at National Airport is not indicative of any area snow
totals, and typically much lower than anywhere in the area, why is that
location used? Wouldn't it be more accurate to measure snow fall in a location
actually in the District? Most times snow fall totals at National are a fraction
of the actual area totals inside the District and in spots inside and outside the
Beltway. Any info or thoughts about this?
Posted by: Dylan48 | February 10, 2010 6:04 PM

@arrabbiato: Your caps lock is on.

Posted by: gjtbiz | February 10, 2010 6:20 PM
This will probably upset some people as 'belittling' but I believe it's fair to say
this to keep a perspective on things.
The AVERAGE snowfall in Duluth, Minnesota is 69 inchs per year.
Now you can say Wow! We are close to beating their average, or you can
say whatever you please. But, this amount of snow is not impossible to deal
with. The biggest issue here is that this all happened in 3 relatively short
snowstorms so while Minnesota gets it's snow throughout the winter, DC got
all this in just 3 storms. Impressive but also something to think about.
Question - Should DC have the ability to restore roads to useable condition

within 24-48 hours of a 2 foot snow? This is after all this nations
capitol/nerve center. Unfortunately the captiol area and that includes DC, VA
and MD, keep building as if the area is in the tropics. Schools cannot cope
with the smallest amounts of snow and mass transit barely copes with needs
in fair weather. (Lest we forget Metro was built without rail heaters for above
ground lines despite the clear history of significant snow and ice conditions
every winter.
So how about it folks. Should the nations capitol step up the challenge and
takes steps to avoid another week long shut down for the next bizzard?
Posted by: AmzgGrce | February 10, 2010 6:45 PM

From Cleveland (temp. in Alexandria area now)
Roads should have been passable by Monday.

(they were plowing with the blades raised quite high) on the roads they went
down. Then again people parking on the main roads should have been towed
or "too bad" if they are plowed in.
Today - Wednesday should have been the first weekday schools and
businesses were closed.
DC home of Emergency Mgmt and Preparedness?
That should go to Cleveland or Buffalo or some location that doesn't close for
days on the FORECAST of snow.
(Funny how many people managed to get out for coffee or snowball fights?)
Posted by: Justice26 | February 10, 2010 6:57 PM

How long before we see the benefit concert for the New York snow ?
Posted by: mpt1123 | February 10, 2010 7:38 PM

John1263 - What a ridiculous lib - there is enough REAL legit arguments to

makie abut THE ONE. We are NIOT you and don't need to act like you do
with President George W Bush.
Tea party folks are about govt waste, spending and unfair taxation - you
know voting (with your own hand out) to make OTHER people pay.
Oh, and the "making fun" of people who laugh at GW and saying they are
fools because they won't jump into the fallacy of mm GW and call it CC? So
ridiculous - lemmings.
Posted by: Justice26 | February 10, 2010 7:44 PM

Hello, CWG...from Pasadena in Anne Arundel County, MD. I will say about
18" or so has fallen here and it's still coming down. What a pounding we've
had with the Christmas and two February blizzards. Amazing.
A plow came down our cul-de-sac but stopped at the "elbow" and didn't go
any further. Naturally, it dumped huge boulders of compacted snow and
chunks of ice clear across my driveway entrance after I worked so hard to
clear stuff from the weekend storm and 3-1/2" that had accumulated by about
9:30 last night. :-) Took about 2 hours getting all the obstruction out of there.
Anyway, both the Post and the Sun in Baltimore have done a great job with
storm coverage, including the Post's CWG and the Sun's Maryland Weather
Blog. Outstanding sources of storm-related info as well as interesting weather
trivia and other Snowpacalypse or Snowmageddon stuff. It's been fun reading
the snow totals as the white stuff kept piling up and up and up and smashing
historic records. (Sorry, we love snow!)
Posted by: wings100 | February 10, 2010 7:45 PM

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DCA | IAD | BWI

I grew up in Phoenix...this breaks MY snowiest winter record.

Posted by: bikerjohn | February 10, 2010 2:27 PM

Our trash is supposed to be picked up tomorrow. I doubt it will happen, but is

Also, what's this about a storm Tuesday?

Posted by: motc | February 10, 2010 2:28 PM

Old Town Alexandria update:

Posted by: joelhousman | February 10, 2010 2:28 PM

Posted by: RandC | February 10, 2010 2:28 PM

Posted by: Steve-wxtalkwordpresscom | February 10, 2010 2:28 PM

Posted by: watchingweather | February 10, 2010 2:28 PM

Posted by: bhirshon | February 10, 2010 2:30 PM

Posted by: Hoyas4Ever | February 10, 2010 2:30 PM

Posted by: stuckman | February 10, 2010 2:30 PM

@stuckman - you could try googling "zazzle" - print to order ;)

Posted by: RandC | February 10, 2010 2:32 PM

Posted by: krosseel | February 10, 2010 2:32 PM

We're working on t-shirts.

Posted by: Jason-CapitalWeatherGang | February 10, 2010 2:32 PM

stuckman, good idea. seriously!

Posted by: Hoyas4Ever | February 10, 2010 2:33 PM

Posted by: bhirshon | February 10, 2010 2:33 PM

Posted by: alc_in_NoVa | February 10, 2010 2:33 PM

Posted by: FrozenTundraTransplant | February 10, 2010 2:34 PM

Posted by: snowlover | February 10, 2010 2:34 PM

Old Town Alexandria update::

Posted by: joelhousman | February 10, 2010 2:35 PM

Yay! So far, no stupid arguments about GW or CC on this new thread. Of

Posted by: justmike | February 10, 2010 2:35 PM

Posted by: watchingweather | February 10, 2010 2:35 PM

Posted by: shackleton | February 10, 2010 2:35 PM

Posted by: JerryFloyd1 | February 10, 2010 2:35 PM

Posted by: justin-N-sterlingVa | February 10, 2010 2:36 PM

Posted by: alc_in_NoVa | February 10, 2010 2:37 PM

alc_in_NoVa--It makes sense that we're the bartenders ;)...Hoya Saxa!

Posted by: Hoyas4Ever | February 10, 2010 2:38 PM

Posted by: Camden-CapitalWeatherGang | February 10, 2010 2:39 PM

Hoyas4Ever, you said,

cheers! (hot chocolate and kahlua.)

Posted by: walter-in-fallschurch | February 10, 2010 2:39 PM

Posted by: notdlo1975 | February 10, 2010 2:39 PM

Posted by: manassasmissy | February 10, 2010 2:40 PM

Posted by: EricCarr | February 10, 2010 2:42 PM

Posted by: hereandnow1 | February 10, 2010 2:42 PM

Yes, print up the t-shirts, polish the crown.

Posted by: FIREDRAGON47 | February 10, 2010 2:43 PM

hi manassasmissy - snow is all done in Manassas

Posted by: Camden-CapitalWeatherGang | February 10, 2010 2:44 PM

As of 1 pm, Springfield, Va, Franconia section, had received about 10 inches

I have recorded 61.7 inches of snow since Dec. 1.

Reagan National's longstanding seasonal snowfall record seemed like one of

Posted by: ricschwartz | February 10, 2010 2:47 PM

Posted by: kathyb39 | February 10, 2010 2:47 PM

Posted by: truyle | February 10, 2010 2:48 PM

moderate snow here in northern PG County...it's amazing to hear that it's

Posted by: BH99 | February 10, 2010 2:48 PM

Snow looks to FINALLY be done in Ashburn.

Posted by: ThinkSpring | February 10, 2010 2:48 PM

Posted by: ron@5millers.us.fm | February 10, 2010 2:48 PM

kathyb39 - to what forecast are you referring?

Posted by: Camden-CapitalWeatherGang | February 10, 2010 2:49 PM