March no slouch for Seattle-area snow either
Monday, I tried to cheer up snow fans who have been frowning at Seattle's paltry 0.6" of snowfall this winter by stating that February has had its share of snowfall over the years.
I then went as far as to declare that I think snows are in the realm of possible until about March 8, then we "close up the snow shop" and start looking forward to next December.
But Jason Phelps, a local weather stat guru who helped compile the February data for me in my Monday blog, saw my declaration and said my March 8 date might be a bit premature...
He contends there have been quite a few snow events even in mid to late March around the Seattle area, although I'd counter it's been a looong time since we've had what I'd call a "significant" late season snow.
April 17th is the last measurable snow in Seattle (2" in 1972) -- ironically the same winter as the earliest snow on record of Oct. 26, 1971.
Here is Phelps' defense:
- In 2008, Bonney Lake had 6" of snow come down on March 26 and had snow through April 1st. A smaller amount of snow was reported at SeaTac and it snowed again at SeaTac April 19-20.
- On March 25, 1955 Sea-Tac Airport had 1.3" of snow.
- On April 17, 1972 Sea-Tac Airport reported 2" of snow.
- March 5-12, 1951: 4" of snow at Sea-Tac Airport.
- March 16, 1894: 1" of snow at Seattle City Office, followed by 0.12" of snow on St. Patrick's Day.
- March 12, 1895: 2" of snow at Seattle City Office.
- In 1897, Seattle City Office had 1.5" on March 11 and 2" on March 13, followed by 3/4" on March 21 and several traces in between.
- March 25, 1898, Seattle City Office had 3" of snow!
- 1899-March 12-13: 1" of snow, March 21-22: 1" of snow.
- April 7, 1900: 1/2" of snow.
- April 8, 1902: 1/2" of snow.
- March 11-12, 1903: 6" of snow (yes, an entire half foot of snow on the 11th-12th of March!).
- 1904 was a pretty good example of later March snow: 4" of snow on March 14, 2" on March 23rd.
- 1913: 3" of snow on March 19!
- 1917: 1/2" on March 25 and March 29-31.
- 1920: 2" of snow April 1-3.
- 1924: 1.5" of snow on April 14!
- 1935: 1/2" of snow on March 25.
- 1936: 1" of snow on March 27, 1" of snow on April 1.
- In 1945, the Buckley, WA station reported 8.9" of snow on the 8th of April. It is interesting to note that before the end of March Buckley, WA had not reported any snow at all that entire winter.
- Seattle City Office had 3" of snow March 26-27, 1946!
Jason has also gone back and compiled how many times it has snowed at least a trace on any given day in March and April (and May! -- A trace of snow has been registered as late as May 2) in Seattle as far back as 1894.
In the interest of saving your mouse's scroll button, I've put the list of dates on this site for those interested.
We'll see if we get to add March 2013 to the list!
Scott, what is the latest in winter we've gotten our first (significant/non-trace) snow? It seems likem, despite all the February/March snow events you list, the die is cast and if you haven't had any snow by the end of January, you won't get any at all.
Sea-Tac recorded 18.2" of snow in the first ten days of March 1951
I definitely recall the 2008, late March - April 1st "snow event" (ha!) here in Bothell. It was maybe a few inches at best and it didn't stick around long, bit it did seem a little unusual at the time due to it being so late in the season...or would that be officially "early" in the season since it was Spring? :)
I remember a March snow, we were near the north end of sea-tac about 65 or so. I believe it was an early morning, heavy snow. Must have been 4 inches or more. Most of it was gone the next day.
Umm... all those dates kind of make your point Scott. Â It's RARE in the last 50 years to see any significant March snow. Â I think after the third week of Feb., we might as well pack it in and hope for next year.
March 20, 2002 it snowed in Seattle. I'm sure some stuck elsewhere that day.
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Late season snow events are very wet and slushy i see no point of getting excited about it at all and it dosen't last long/
Maybe I'm a grinch but I just don't think an inch of snow should count as a significant snow event. I have a friend who moved to Minnesota and she laughs at us every time we go into lock down at the mere threat of a flake.
In 2008 I was buying a new house. Â It was the 2nd to last weekend in April and I had the house inspector doing a once-over before signing the paperwork. This was in lake stevens. It snowed about an inch that day. Â Of course it started snowing right before the inspector did the walk around the roof. Â
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The next weekend, when I signed the paperwork, it was in the 70's.
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In 2009, we again had snow in late april, also in lake stevens. Â
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I would say that I've seen more snow in March/April during the past 5 to 7 years than I ever did before then.
 @Landshark We took some photos of some big fully bloomed tulips... with a couple inches of snow on them - I believe that was early spring '08 - can't remember exact dates.
 @Landshark 70s and snow all in the same month. Only in April!