The Capital Weather Gang reports on the warm months so far this winter:
The winter of 2011-2012 has taken on a completely different character compared to the previous few winters which started off cold. After the 6th warmest December on record (tie), January 2012 concluded with an average temperature 4.8 degrees warmer than normal (1981-2000 normal), the 17th warmest on record (tied with 1876) since 1871.
Despite the fact that has been generally warm this season, I thought it was interesting that in terms of snow we are right about on last season’s pace. We are well behind the snowy 2009-10 season, but in line so far with the 2010-11 season. During 2010-11, we were at 16.75 inches through January 31st thanks to a 10 inch snowfall on January 26, 2011 and several smaller events. This season, 2011-12, we stand at 16.5625 inches through the end of January, primarily from October 29, 2011′s 9 inch snowfall supplemented by some smaller events. During the 2010-11 season, we had nine snow events through January 31st. This season, we have had seven thus far.
These snowfall accumulation statistics are measured at Old Dominion Wildlife Headquarters in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Northern Virginia.
Seasonal Snowfall Totals through January
