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
Despite recording snow well into Spring and beginning again in Fall, we ended up about 10″ short in 2011 compared with 2010 primarily due to the 25″ 2/6/2010 event known as Snowmaggedon. 2011′s largest snowfall was the 10″ Commutageddon Snowfall on 1/26/2011.
Both 2010 and 2011 featured 14 snow events measured at Old Dominion Wildlife Headquarters located in the Blue Ridge Mountains near the border of Warren and Fauquier Counties. Note: Trace events were not recorded.
Calendar Year Snowfall Table
Cumulative Calendar Year Snowfall Chart
I put together a couple tables and chart showing fall snow data over the past three fall seasons. Measurements were taken at Old Dominion Wildlife Headquarters, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia near the border of Warren and Fauquier Counties. I thought it was interesting that this year was actually running ahead of the 2009-2011 winter until the December 19, 2009 snowstorm aka Snowpocalypse.
Fall Snow Data
Fall Snow Chart
Low Temperatures
Astronomical Fall got off to a cold and rainy start here at Old Dominion Wildlife HQ in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Northern Virginia. Our low temp on Sunday, October 2nd was 38.1F. Current low this morning (10/3) is 38.8F.
Record Low High Temperatures
CapitalClimateBlog reports:
…daily record low maximum temperatures for October 2 will be set or tied at all 3 major reporting locations in the Washington/Baltimore area. The high of 58° at Richmond, however, is 4° above the daily record low maximum… …Today’s preliminary highs and the previous records for the date in parentheses from National Weather Service climate data:
Washington National 52 @ 1253 PM (52, 1939)
Washington Dulles 50 @ 1226 PM (54, 1974)
Snow Reports
Nearby Snow Reports include:
TUCKER COUNTY, WV 3717 3.400 inches 2011-10-02
See Also: October 2009 Snow
Trailcam Picture of April Snow in Virginia
With meteorological summer well underway and astronomical summer about to start, here are the spring snow statistics from Old Dominion Wildlife Headquarters:
2011 Spring Snow
See Also: No Joke: April 1st Snow in Virginia
Here are a couple charts comparing the great snowfall amounts of 2009-2010 with the 2010-2011 season at Old Dominion Wildlife Headquarters. Despite the much lower total amount of snow, this past season actually had more late season snow as well as more snow in January.
Month By Month Comparison
Month by Month Comparison
Daily Cumulative Totals Comparison
Daily Cumulative Snowfall Chart