D.C. could see one of its warmest winters on record
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Photo: Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP via Getty Images
D.C. should plan for a mild winter this year, say weather experts.
Why it matters: The forecast follows a particularly cold and icy winter that left residents navigating snowcrete for weeks and drew frustration over the city's response.
State of play: This winter might be one of the DMV's warmest on record, with below-average snowfall, says Capital Weather.
- That's thanks to an El Niño and activity in the North Pacific.
By the numbers: Expect temps to sit at around three degrees above normal — with frequent stretches in the 40s and 50s.
- DCA is predicted to see about 5 to 8 inches of snow, compared to the seasonal average of 13.7 inches.
Yes, but: You might not want to give your snow suit to Goodwill. There's still a chance we see a major snowstorm in the middle of an otherwise mild winter, likely in January or February, says the outlet.
Zoom out: If you want pow-pow, head west of D.C. out toward Winchester, Va., and Martinsburg, W. Va., where snowfall is expected to hit around 15 inches or more.
The intrigue: D.C. is preparing for big winter storms anyway, and recently conducted a five-day trial run of its winter storm response.
The big picture: D.C.'s winters have been getting warmer overall amid climate change, says the outlet.
- Eight of the 10 past winters have seen below-average snowfall at DCA, and the DMV's 30-year average snowfall has dropped from over 20 inches in the late 1800s to today's 13.7 inches.
Reality check: This is one outlet's prediction. Some other weather experts are calling for around two feet of snow.
- And Capital Weather says there's always "considerable room for surprises," and gives itself a B-minus or C-plus on accurately predicting past winters.