Washington D.C. Area Experiences Significant Snow and Sleet Accumulation

The Washington D.C. Area Experiences Significant Snow and Sleet Accumulation
The Washington D.C. area experienced significant snow and sleet accumulation on Sunday. The transition from snow to sleet occurred earlier than anticipated, with total snow accumulation ranging from 4.5 to 9 inches across the region. Sleet continued to accumulate on top of existing snow through Sunday afternoon.

The transition from snow to sleet occurred earlier than anticipated, with total snow accumulation ranging from 4.5 to 9 inches across the region.

Snowfall Measurements

Official measurements were taken by National Weather Service employees and trained spotters across Virginia and Maryland.

Virginia

• Reagan National Airport: 5.3 inches (as of 1 p.m.)
• Fairfax: 5.4 inches (as of 1 p.m.)
• Herndon: 7.6 inches (as of 2 p.m.)
• Ashburn: 7.8 inches (as of 1 p.m.)
• Leesburg: 7.1 inches (as of 1:30 p.m.)
• Dulles International Airport: 6.2 inches (as of 1 p.m.)
• Vienna: 8 inches (reported by trained spotter)
• Dumfries: 7.3 inches (as of 2:21 p.m., reported by trained spotter)

Maryland

• BWI Marshall Airport: 7.6 inches (as of 3:16 p.m.)
• Birdsville: 6.4 inches (as of 2:15 p.m.)
• Bloomfield: 9 inches (as of 2 p.m.)
• Adamstown: 7 inches (as of 1 p.m.)
• Columbia: 8.1 inches (as of noon)
• Ellicott City: 7.3 inches (as of noon)
• Germantown: 7.2 inches (as of 1:30 p.m.)
• Elkridge (Howard County): 9 inches (as of 3 p.m., reported by trained spotter)

Washington D.C.

• Anacostia: 7 inches (as of 12:50 p.m., reported by trained spotter)

Measurement Methodology

WTOP’s Dave Dildine explained that official National Weather Service (NWS) snowfall measurements are conducted every six hours at certified observation sites.

Daily or storm totals represent the sum of these frequent observations, differentiating them from snow depth. The weather service also utilizes totals from trained spotters for comprehensive reporting.

Sleet Conditions

The afternoon brought a period of prolonged sleet to the D.C. area. Up to three inches of accumulating sleet was possible in localized spots.

Meteorologist Matt Ritter noted that heavy ice pellets from sleet can compact existing snow, potentially making total accumulation appear less significant.

Dave Dildine remarked that extended periods of sleet are uncommon, citing the Valentine’s Day 2007 sleet storm, which accumulated 2 to 4 inches of sleet across parts of the region by nightfall, as a notable previous event.