Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog

Powerful Nor'easter poised to pound Washington D.C. with 2 feet of snow

Posted by: Dr. Jeff Masters, 3:16 PM GMT on February 05, 2010

A powerful Nor'easter is winding up along the Mid-Atlantic coast of the U.S. this morning, and stands poised to deliver the Washington D.C. region its second huge winter storm of the season tonight and Saturday. While the Nor'easter will affect a relatively small portion of the coast compared to other historic storms, a narrow region of Virginia, Maryland, Washington D.C., Delaware, and New Jersey should see two feet of snow, and three feet are possible in the higher elevation areas to the west of Washington D.C. If the snow amounts top 20.5" in Washington D.C., it will rank as that city's second largest snowstorm on record. Blizzard warnings are posted for Delaware and southern New Jersey, including Atlantic City, where winds will increase to 30 - 35 mph on Saturday, with gusts to 50 mph. Snowfall rates of 2 - 3 inches per hour will create whiteout blizzard conditions near the coast, and snowfall amounts should approach two feet. Lesser snow amounts near a foot are expected in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and 4 - 8 inches is expected in New York City.

The top 10 snowstorms on record for Washington, D.C.:

1. January 27-28, 1922 ... 28 inches
2. February 11-13, 1899 ... 20.5 inches
3. February 18-19, 1979 ... 18.7 inches
4. January 6-8, 1996 ... 17.1 inches
5. February 15-18, 2003 ... 16.7 inches
6. February 11-12, 1983 ...16.6 inches
7. December 19-20, 2009 ... 16.4 inches (Snowpocalypse)
8. February 15-16, 1958 ... 14.4 inches
9. February 7, 1936 ... 14.4 inches
10. February 16-18, 1900 ... 14.3 inches

Figure 1. The Nor'easter of February 5 - 6 winds up in this 9:30 am EST image from 2/5/10. Image credit: NASA GOES project.

This weekend's Nor'easter is the second huge winter storm to affect the nation's capital this winter. The December 19, 2009 Nor'easter produced a record 24-hour snowfall in Washington, D.C. and Clifton Forge, Virginia, where nearly 2 feet (61 cm) of snow accumulated. Some interior areas of West Virginia saw 30 inches (76 cm) of snow. The storm broke the record for the amount of snow in a single event in December at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, where 16.3 inches (41 cm) of snow accumulated. The storm was the 6th-greatest snowfall in D.C. history. In Philadelphia, snowfall reached 23.2 inches (59 cm), surpassing the 21 inches (53 cm) snowfall of February 11 - 12, 1983, as the city's second-largest, and breaking a 100-year-old record for the largest single December storm, set on December 25 - 26, 1909 (20.2 inches). The largest storm in Philadelphia history was the North American blizzard of 1996, which produced 30.7 inches (78 cm) of snow.

Have a great Super Bowl weekend, everyone!

Jeff Masters

Ego Alley from Eastport (sckayaker)

Shot towards Ego Alley, Marriott Hotel on the left. Snow on fence is 9 - 10

Flooding, snow, and ice. 1st st Ocean City, MD (wildbillstikihut)

Categories: Winter Weather

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101. Patrap 7:04 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
Bayou 95.7 FM ,yer "Who Dat" NOLA Station Member Since: July 3, 2005 Posts: 370 Comments: 111244

102. CaneWarning 7:05 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
Wow until 8 o'clock. I'm sure it will dropped for the Tampa area before that though. Member Since: April 26, 2009 Posts: 3 Comments: 3667

103. TampaTom 7:05 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
Quoting CaneWarning: Wow, seriously? Weather Alert radio is sounding right now... Member Since: June 20, 2005 Posts: 22 Comments: 1048

104. Floodman 7:05 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
Quoting presslord: "...oh yea...alright...Are ya gonna be in dreams...tonight?" "...and, in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make..." Member Since: August 2, 2006 Posts: 10 Comments: 9919

105. TampaTom 7:06 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
Tornado warning just issued in Pinellas.... Member Since: June 20, 2005 Posts: 22 Comments: 1048

106. StormChaser81 7:07 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
Alright in about 5 mins, im heading to the fourth floor observation deck to see what is rotating. Member Since: August 11, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 2315

107. TampaTom 7:08 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
Check that... Severe Thunderstorm warning issued for Pinellas Member Since: June 20, 2005 Posts: 22 Comments: 1048

108. weatherbro 7:08 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
Quoting StormChaser81: Here it comes get ready cause this going to be a lot of precip. More so thunderboomers then heavy rain. Member Since: May 26, 2007 Posts: 47 Comments: 1154

109. CaneWarning 7:08 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
Quoting TampaTom: Tornado warning just issued in Pinellas.... I'm just seeing a severe t-storm warning online so far. Member Since: April 26, 2009 Posts: 3 Comments: 3667

110. Skyepony (Mod) 7:08 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
storm relative vorticity radar not looking so good for Tampa. Member Since: August 10, 2005 Posts: 144 Comments: 29234

111. TampaTom 7:09 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
http://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/vtec/#2010-O-NEW-KTBW-SV-W-0003 Severe T-Storm warning Member Since: June 20, 2005 Posts: 22 Comments: 1048

113. TampaTom 7:10 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
Tornado warning up for Pasco/Hernando county line... Member Since: June 20, 2005 Posts: 22 Comments: 1048

114. CaneWarning 7:10 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
Quoting Skyepony: storm relative vorticity radar not looking so good for Tampa. This is exciting! Member Since: April 26, 2009 Posts: 3 Comments: 3667

115. Parkay 7:10 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
Quoting TampaTom: Weather Alert radio is sounding right now... Yep. Mine started chirping about 5 minutes after I plugged in the Charlotte CO FIPS code. Look at the mesocyclone entering the mouth of Tampa Bay on the TDWR radar out of Tampa: Member Since: April 21, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 27

116. Patrap 7:11 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
653 WFUS52 KTBW 051909 TORTBW FLC053-101-051945- /O.NEW.KTBW.TO.W.0003.100205T1909Z-100205T1945Z/ BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED TORNADO WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAMPA BAY AREA - RUSKIN FL 209 PM EST FRI FEB 5 2010 THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN RUSKIN HAS ISSUED A * TORNADO WARNING FOR... WESTERN HERNANDO COUNTY IN FLORIDA. NORTHWESTERN PASCO COUNTY IN FLORIDA. * UNTIL 245 PM EST * AT 207 PM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A TORNADO NEAR ARIPEKA...OR 6 MILES NORTH OF HUDSON...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 25 MPH. * THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR... ARIPEKA. HERNANDO BEACH. SPRING HILL. WEEKI WACHEE. WEEKI WACHEE. BROOKSVILLE. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THE TORNADO GO TO A SMALL INTERIOR ROOM IN A STRONG AND WELL CONSTRUCTED BUILDING. CARS AND MOBILE HOMES ARE NOT SAFE. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN A DITCH OR CULVERT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS. TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PLEASE CALL 813-645-2323. A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM EST FRIDAY EVENING FOR SOUTHWESTERN FLORIDA. Member Since: July 3, 2005 Posts: 370 Comments: 111244

117. Patrap 7:12 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
College of DuPage Meteorology Severe Weather and Flash Flood Warnings Note: This page will reload every 2 minutes. Warnings are listed with the most recent first. NEW!! Click on the station ID to bring up list of recent severe weather statements. TORNADO WARNING TAMPA BAY AREA - RUSKIN FL - KTBW 209 PM EST FRI FEB 5 2010 SVR T-STORM WARNING TAMPA BAY AREA - RUSKIN FL - KTBW 205 PM EST FRI FEB 5 2010 Member Since: July 3, 2005 Posts: 370 Comments: 111244

118. Raysfan70 7:13 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
TORNADO WATCH OUTLINE UPDATE FOR WT 15 NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK 205 PM EST FRI FEB 5 2010 TORNADO WATCH 15 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM EST FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS FLC009-015-017-021-027-043-049-051-053-055-057-061-069-071-081- 085-093-095-097-101-103-105-111-115-117-119-127-060100- /O.NEW.KWNS.TO.A.0015.100205T1905Z-100206T0100Z/ FL . FLORIDA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE BREVARD CHARLOTTE CITRUS COLLIER DESOTO GLADES HARDEE HENDRY HERNANDO HIGHLANDS HILLSBOROUGH INDIAN RIVER LAKE LEE MANATEE MARTIN OKEECHOBEE ORANGE OSCEOLA PASCO PINELLAS POLK SARASOTA SEMINOLE ST. LUCIE SUMTER VOLUSIA $$ Member Since: July 28, 2005 Posts: 138 Comments: 57352

119. Patrap 7:14 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
TDWR High Definition Radar Tampa Bay, Base Radial Velocity 0.20 Degree Elevation Range 48 NMI Member Since: July 3, 2005 Posts: 370 Comments: 111244

120. CaneWarning 7:14 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
I hope we get a good storm in downtown Tampa. I haven't seen one in forever it seems like! Member Since: April 26, 2009 Posts: 3 Comments: 3667

121. TampaTom 7:15 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
Quoting CaneWarning: I hope we get a good storm in downtown Tampa. I haven't seen one in forever it seems like! It's on the way... Member Since: June 20, 2005 Posts: 22 Comments: 1048

122. Patrap 7:15 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
Member Since: July 3, 2005 Posts: 370 Comments: 111244

123. KEEPEROFTHEGATE (Mod) 7:16 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
Member Since: July 15, 2006 Posts: 143 Comments: 40334

124. CaneWarning 7:17 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
Quoting TampaTom: It's on the way... I'm excited. It does make me wonder if I want to be sitting so close to the window though. Being this high up in a tower always makes me nervous when big storms come by. Member Since: April 26, 2009 Posts: 3 Comments: 3667

125. StormChaser81 7:18 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
Dont see anything yet. Looks like it has lost some rotation with land interaction. Member Since: August 11, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 2315

126. BobinTampa 7:20 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
Westshore area, nothing going on. Just a bit of rain. Member Since: August 14, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 508

127. TampaTom 7:21 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
Quoting StormChaser81: Dont see anything yet. Could be going between you in downtown St. Pete and us in Clearwater.... PIE airport could be getting it now... Member Since: June 20, 2005 Posts: 22 Comments: 1048

128. Skyepony (Mod) 7:22 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
Quoting StormChaser81: Dont see anything yet. Looks like it has lost some rotation with land interaction. Does look weakened. Member Since: August 10, 2005 Posts: 144 Comments: 29234

129. Raysfan70 7:24 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAMPA BAY AREA - RUSKIN FL 222 PM EST FRI FEB 5 2010 FLC053-101-051945- HERNANDO FL-PASCO FL- 222 PM EST FRI FEB 5 2010 ...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 245 PM EST FOR NORTHWESTERN PASCO AND WESTERN HERNANDO COUNTIES... AT 222 PM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO INDICATE A TORNADO. LOCATED NEAR WEEKI WACHEE ACRES...OR 6 MILES NORTHWEST OF SPRING HILL...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 30 MPH. THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR... HERNANDO BEACH. WEEKI WACHEE ACRES. WEEKI WACHEE. ROYAL HIGHLANDS. NORTH BROOKSVILLE. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THE TORNADO GO TO A SMALL INTERIOR ROOM IN A STRONG AND WELL CONSTRUCTED BUILDING. CARS AND MOBILE HOMES ARE NOT SAFE. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN A DITCH OR CULVERT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS. A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM EST FRIDAY EVENING FOR SOUTHWESTERN FLORIDA. Member Since: July 28, 2005 Posts: 138 Comments: 57352

130. KEEPEROFTHEGATE (Mod) 7:24 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
Quoting Skyepony: Does look weakened. dbz are droping down from 59 to 51 Member Since: July 15, 2006 Posts: 143 Comments: 40334

131. CaneWarning 7:25 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
These things usually weaken when they hit the Florida peninsula it seems. Member Since: April 26, 2009 Posts: 3 Comments: 3667

132. StormChaser81 7:26 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
Its going between Downtown st. petersburg and the Horward Franklin Bridge. Member Since: August 11, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 2315

133. TampaTom 7:26 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
Quoting CaneWarning: These things usually weaken when they hit the Florida peninsula it seems. Cell over Hernando seems to be ramping up.... Member Since: June 20, 2005 Posts: 22 Comments: 1048

134. TampaTom 7:29 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
Cell coming ashore in Manatee county.... Severe T-Storm warning cancelled for Pinellas... Member Since: June 20, 2005 Posts: 22 Comments: 1048

135. Skyepony (Mod) 7:30 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
That was at the .5 angle. Change it to 2.4 & wow.. so look up. There's got to be atleast some impressive scud clouds. Hasn't made it to Tampa yet.. Get the Cameras. Member Since: August 10, 2005 Posts: 144 Comments: 29234

136. Chicklit 7:33 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
This is just the beginning. Member Since: July 11, 2006 Posts: 14 Comments: 10225

137. Floridano 7:35 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
Quoting Chicklit: This is just the beginning. SF, WATCH OUT, TONIGHT, CANDELA.

138. Floridano 7:36 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
chicle, que bola, mana?

139. StormChaser81 7:36 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
Were getting it right now, man wind had to be 30-40 constant with 50 gust. Rain is impressive. Member Since: August 11, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 2315

140. OGal 7:36 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
Hi Skye, Tampa T and Rays. Have been watching these storms all afternoon. Just waiting for Tom Terry to come on TV with the warnings. Ya'll stay safe. Let's hope there is no bad rotation. Lots getting set up in Mt. Dora and Lady Lake for major art shows this weekend plus all the fun stuff going on in Daytona tonight. Member Since: August 28, 2005 Posts: 72 Comments: 19170

141. mikester 7:37 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
Man look at all that moisture. Jet stream has us covered but you guys south are in it big time tonight. Defently a very powerful storm had it turned northward earlier would have really made a mess out of the whole east coast. Member Since: April 4, 2005 Posts: 1 Comments: 133

142. Chicklit 7:38 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
Check it out: Link Member Since: July 11, 2006 Posts: 14 Comments: 10225

143. StormChaser81 7:39 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
Quoting OGal: Hi Skye, Tampa T and Rays. Have been watching these storms all afternoon. Just waiting for Tom Terry to come on TV with the warnings. Ya'll stay safe. Let's hope there is no bad rotation. Lots getting set up in Mt. Dora and Lady Lake for major art shows this weekend plus all the fun stuff going on in Daytona tonight. Tom Terry is one of my close friends and I just sent your message to him. He will get a smile from it. Member Since: August 11, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 2315

144. Raysfan70 7:40 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
Ogal- Thanks! Wish we had someone on here at MacDill. I'm in line after StormChaser. Becareful over there. Member Since: July 28, 2005 Posts: 138 Comments: 57352

145. TampaTom 7:40 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
Looks like the cell near the Sarasota/Manatee border is getting ramped up... Member Since: June 20, 2005 Posts: 22 Comments: 1048

146. CaneWarning 7:40 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
Wow, the rain is coming down in downtown Tampa now. Just waiting for the winds to pick up some. Member Since: April 26, 2009 Posts: 3 Comments: 3667

147. mikester 7:41 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
What would have been the odds of this storm turning into a blizzard had it turned northward when it came out of texas? Could it had been a repeat of 93? Member Since: April 4, 2005 Posts: 1 Comments: 133

148. StormChaser81 7:41 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
Quoting OGal: Hi Skye, Tampa T and Rays. Have been watching these storms all afternoon. Just waiting for Tom Terry to come on TV with the warnings. Ya'll stay safe. Let's hope there is no bad rotation. Lots getting set up in Mt. Dora and Lady Lake for major art shows this weekend plus all the fun stuff going on in Daytona tonight. Tom just replied and said Thanx for the compliment. Member Since: August 11, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 2315

149. CaneWarning 7:44 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
Not much wind here so far. In fact, I'd say the wind died down some as the rain came. Member Since: April 26, 2009 Posts: 3 Comments: 3667

150. Chicklit 7:44 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
Quoting TampaTom: Looks like the cell near the Sarasota/Manatee border is getting ramped up... I did my I-4 Ocoee/Altamonte/Sanford errands yesterday. And this is why. Link It's going to be bloody 'ell at rush hour over there today. I think I'd be looking for happy hour and dinner if I didn't get out early. Does anyone know how long this mess will last once it hits? Member Since: July 11, 2006 Posts: 14 Comments: 10225

151. TheCaneWhisperer 7:46 PM GMT on February 05, 2010
Impressive Shear Click Visible Animation / Speed it up

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