Mid-Atl Double Blizzard Totals 55 Inches, Records

It's clear from the records broken during the 5 days with 2 snow storms this week (some including all-time seasonal records) that this was an extreme event for the mid-Atlantic. Some blog readers have asked: What was the maximum amount from both the Feb. 6 and Feb. 10 snow storms, and for the month so far? Using our Pro site, I obtained the following map and data:

FEBRUARY 2010 SNOWFALL
These are all numbers from the AccuWeather database, which is quality controlled data entered by our climatologists and may disagree with NWS readings. Below are the February totals for cities over 40 inches, and the actual number of the two storms in parentheses.

Martinsburg, WV (MRB): 53.0" (48.3) York, PA (THV): 50.5" (47.0) Baltimore, MD (BAL/DWTN): 50.0" (45.5) Dulles, DC (IAD): 45.7" (41.7) Baltimore, MD (BWI): 49.2" (44.3) Frederick, MD (FDK): 47.5" (42.5) Millersville, PA (MLVX): 44.5" (43.5) Philadelphia, PA (PHL): 44.5" (43.9) Dover, DE (DOV): 43.6" (41.0) Williamsport, MD (MDWI): 41.9" (40.8) Wilmington, DE (ILG): 40.9" (38.6)

NWS does not keep official totals for either Martinsburg, York or Baltimore Downtown; for Baltimore Airport and Dulles we are in agreement. So officially, the record holder is Dulles with 41.7" from both storms and 45.7" this month; unofficially Martinsburg, WV wins with 48.3" from two storms or 53.0" for the month.

So what about in-between climate stations? If you overlay the two analyzed storm total maps from NWS-Baltimore for 2/6 and 2/10, you'll see that there is a 22-24 + 27-30 = 49-54 area, depicted in red below.

But if you look at the list of Spotter reports from both storms, you can find even higher amounts, for example 54 inches at Westminster and 54.8 inches at Elkridge, both in Maryland. I have concatenated and sorted both files here -- the list is quite large -- if you find higher amounts, leave me a Comment below. Also, if you personally measured a higher amount, post a Comment as well.

All in all, it sounds like the highest amounts from both storms were around 55 inches. Almost certainly unprecedented for this area, especially within a 5-day period!

Cory Pesaturo, 2009 World Digital Accordion Champion and weather enthusiast (who you may remember was responsible for a lengthy list of 2005 Hurricane Records) has compiled a new list of records and stats for the mid-Atlantic 2009-2010 winter season and there are some very interesting things there.

Comments (9): Tyler:

Hey there Jesse, i live just north of Westminster, MD and i got a little more then 55 inches from both storms, you are right on the money on your calculations.

Posted by Tyler | February 14, 2010 5:27 PM Gary M.:

I am baffled with the snow amounts supposedly recorded at the Martinsburg, WV airport. I live about a mile from the airport and I can verify that we received 30 inches of snow from the first storm, however, I only measured about 8 inches from the second storm. From shoveling snow in both storms, there was certainly significantly more snow in the first storm. The snow was waist deep in my yard, but 52 inches of snow should be chest high on me.

FROM JESSE: They measured 27.9 & 20.4 though so the second storm was definitely not as bad. Remember that snow will settle though and Martinsburg probably never had more than 35-40 inches of snow on the ground (they don't report that, unfortunately).

Posted by Gary M. | February 14, 2010 2:00 PM Tyler T.:

Hey there its Tyler here in Lake Anna, VA. I've got 75 inches total for the year. We did'nt get as much from the FEB 10-11 storm. We got 24 from the Dec. 19-20 storm. Then Jan. 22-23 we had 14 inches followed by a 6 inch storm a few days later. Then there was the storm on Feb 4-5 when we got 20 inches. The storm on the Feb 10-11 we got only 8-10 inches it was hard to tell exactly due to the blowing of the snow. Still a very good run.

Posted by Tyler T. | February 14, 2010 11:47 AM Tyler T.:

Here is Lake Anna, VA we have had a total of 75 inches for the year. 3+24+14+20+6+8= 75. The last 4 coming in a 2 week period! The most snow since 96. We were due for a winter like this here. Last winter was cold but dry getting less than 20 inches. The previous 4 were very mild with less than 10 inches per year. Looks like the long range keeps the mid atlantic in the snow and cold. I say bring it on I've got plenty of machinery to dig out with.

Posted by Tyler T. | February 14, 2010 11:29 AM Andrew:

Why aren't we calling these the 2010 Twin Blizzards?

Posted by Andrew | February 13, 2010 11:03 PM Jeff:

Jesse, I'm at school here in York, PA. Its on the southern end of the city. First storm totals were somewhere around 22 inches (a little hard to tell with all the blowing a drifting). We actually got more snow from the second storm however, around 24-25 inches. So I think 47 inches sounds about right.

Posted by Jeff | February 13, 2010 4:43 PM Michael:

Hey Jesse, Here at my house 3mi W of downtown Frederick, MD we recorded 53.9" from the two storms. Incredible amount of snow.

Posted by Michael | February 13, 2010 4:01 PM md:

good post, I know Ridley Park, PA had 51.5" from both storms.

Posted by md | February 13, 2010 12:34 PM Joel:

Jesse, Here in Peach Bottom, PA which is located in southern Lancaster county I measured 26" from the first storm and 25" from the second storm for a total of 51". Simply amazing stuff for this area.

Posted by Joel | February 13, 2010 12:33 PM