MARYLAND — According to historical weather records from the National Weather Service, measurable snowfall in Maryland during February is a typical feature of the state’s winter climate, although the amounts can vary significantly from year to year.
February is often regarded as one of the snowiest months across much of Maryland. For instance, climatological data for the Baltimore region indicates that February usually sees an average of around 8 inches of snow, making it the month with the highest average snowfall in that area. Throughout the state, measurable snow is recorded for five months each year—November through March—and there has never been a winter without snow since weather records began in the late 1800s.
Statewide, the average seasonal snowfall shows considerable variation from the western to the eastern parts of Maryland. On the coastal Eastern Shore, annual snowfall averages can be as low as 8 to 10 inches, while in higher elevations like Garrett County in western Maryland, totals can exceed 80 inches. This variation is influenced by factors such as elevation and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, which affect the types and amounts of winter precipitation.
Climatological data further reveal that February snowfall totals can fluctuate more than average figures suggest. While typical snowfall in the central and eastern regions tends to be in single digits, historical records highlight instances of major snowstorms in February that resulted in much higher accumulations.
For example, long-term records from the Baltimore area document February snow events that have produced over a foot of snow. Even going back to the late 1800s, there are records of individual February events with double-digit snow totals.
When examining daily snowfall averages, detailed climate summaries for various parts of Maryland indicate that measurable snow—defined as at least 0.1 inches—occurs regularly in February. In locations like Maryland City, the average snowfall over a typical 31-day period in February can exceed 7 inches, with measurable accumulation occurring throughout much of the month.
Annual and monthly climate averages also suggest that February remains a month with a significant likelihood of precipitation falling as snow. Local weather data indicate that while February precipitation includes both rain and snow, measurable snowfall continues to be a part of the region’s winter weather patterns.
In summary, Maryland’s climate records demonstrate that measurable snowfall in February is not only possible but has historically been common, especially in the central and northern regions of the state. Although the exact amounts can vary greatly each year, historical evidence clearly supports the occurrence of measurable snow during this month as a standard aspect of Maryland’s winter climate.
The post The possibility of measurable snowfall in Maryland in February first appeared on Ohio Statewide.
