Washington, D.C
Snow in DC could make a February return. Here’s what we could be expecting
DMV Winter 2023-2024 Outlook: Why we’re expecting more snow, chance for blizzards in DC this winter
With a potentially strong El Niño in play for the 2023-2024 winter season, we’re forecasting more snow than an average winter for the Washington D.C. metro, Northern Virginia and Maryland.
WASHINGTON – By the standard set over recent years, this winter has already not been so bad snowfall wise. Washington, D.C. has actually already picked up more snow this winter than we have totaled in five of the past seven winters.
Many came into this winter with much higher expectations, however, especially since many winter outlooks, including our own, highlighted the increased risks for a blizzard this winter.
Is that risk still on the table? Or has this winter given us all it has to offer already, with spring getting closer by the day?
February is often a key month for seasonal snow forecasting. Why? Historically, it is the snowiest month of the year. Despite also being the shortest month of the year, the D.C. region averages 5.0″ of snow throughout the month.
HISTORIC DC FEBRUARY SNOW TOTALS
Some of the region’s largest snow events have been hit during the month as well, such as the 2003 Presidents’ Day Blizzard and Snowmageddon back in 2010. The month has featured some monster snows, most common in El Niño years. In fact, February during an El Niño winter averages nearly two more inches compared to an average February. A moderate to strong El Niño, which we are currently in the midst of, averages nearly double the typical snowfall.
For fun though, I did also look at the El Niño cases that did not produce much snow (less than 10″) through the start of February, and these winters did average less than normal snow throughout the month of February.
If we get a little deeper into the averages though, we do find that there are extreme years that drive those averages up a little bit, like nearly 29″ of snow in February 2003 and 32″ of snow in February 2010. Such extremes will have an impact on how an “average” looks.
READ MORE: DMV Winter 2023-2024 Outlook: Why we’re expecting more snow, chance for blizzards in DC this winter
DC snowfall totals so far this winter
So far this winter, Washington D.C. is the third snowiest major city along the I-95 corridor. FOX 5 meteorologist Mike Thomas has the details and your latest weather forecast.
READ MORE: Winter weather in DC, Maryland & Virginia: How much snow have we seen?
HOW MUCH SNOW DID DC GET IN PAST YEARS?
So really diving into the numbers, of the twenty-six El Niño Februarys on the record, only six have failed to put down any measurable snow at all (trace or less) during the month of February. That is not to say that most El Niño Februarys end up with a big snow though. In fact, only a little over 30% of El Niño Februarys end up with a major snow exceeding at least 6″ in Washington, D.C. Not a lot, but compared to the average February, a one-in-three shot is an above normal shot as far as winters go around here.
The data shows that the majority of years, about 62% of them, end up with between 3-6″ of snow. Coincidentally, we need just about half a foot more of snow to verify an “above normal snowfall” season here.
One thing that is undeniable is that, despite only a handful of it falling as measurable snow, it has been one of the stormiest winters on record here in the D.C. region. In just the last two months, we have completely erased the drought that plagued our region since the summer of 2023.
DMV Winter 2023-2024 Outlook
Here’s why we’re expecting more snow and a chance for blizzards in D.C. this winter.
We received just as much rain in December and January as we picked up in the entirety of the summer months, which is quite a rare feat. In fact, this was only the third time in recorded D.C. weather history that the city picked up over a foot of rain since December 1st. January alone featured nearly half a foot of rain, which is a feat we have not done in forty-five years. It has been an incredibly wet winter.
While an active storm track is typically a great thing for snow, it is not a guarantee that a big blizzard awaits in February. In fact, of all the years when at least 10″ of rain fell in December and January, only one case featured a big blizzard in the month of February.
That was back in February 1979, when a storm around Presidents’ Day dropped widespread 20″ snowfall amounts around the DC region. Coincidentally, 1979 was also the last year that saw half a foot of rain in just January alone, so there is some connection there!
HOW MUCH SNOW ACCUMULATION COULD DC SEE?
Despite the stormy winter, all indications are that February is going to start off on a relatively quiet note. Unlike the middle of January where we had a strong connection to Arctic cold, at the moment we do not have any strong atmospheric mechanisms to pull stronger cold out of Canada and pull it eastward. While we will occasionally get brief pushes of winter cold, the first two weeks of the new month really do not offer too much in the way of excitement in terms of cold, snow, or even rain for that matter.
There was one storm that we are keeping an eye on into early next week, in the Sunday to Tuesday timeframe. Over this past weekend, there were several computer guidance indications that this storm could take a turn north up the East Coast and provide another decent shot at some snowfall for much of the region.
More recent indications have been for this storm to pass well to the south of the Mid-Atlantic though. We will, of course, let you know if there are last-minute shifts on this track, but at the moment we favor this one to miss our region entirely, leaving us dry into the first full week of February.
While the pattern does start quiet at the beginning of the month, the vast majority of longer-range guidance suggests we will be in for at least one more round of sustained winter cold, and with it perhaps some better shots of accumulating snow as we approach the middle of the month.
Various models have suggested that blocking patterns will redevelop over the Arctic regions after about the 10th of the month. Similar in nature to what we experienced in the middle of January, these blocks should help provide stronger and more prolonged surges of cold air into the eastern United States. At the same time, most show the active storm track returning to the pattern.
At the same time, a climate feature known as the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO for short) will be swinging into what is known as the colder phases. You can read about the details of this signal in our winter weather outlook but know that when is in the aptly named colder phases that stronger cold air transport from Canada into the United States is much more common.
From a snow lovers’ perspective, it is an exciting pattern to see on paper. Computer models have had their struggles this winter though. So, until we actually see the guidance roll over from the longer range, into the shorter range, we will be a little skeptical.
However, when we look at statistics and history, February is the most commonly colder than normal month during an El Niño year. I personally do not think that we will add any snow in the first ten days of the month at least, however, but I also do not believe we have seen our final snow of the season yet either.
We will look for the pattern to get more exciting towards the middle of the month. Stay tuned…
WASHINGTON (7News) — If you’ve got plans around D.C., Maryland, or Northern Virginia this weekend, you’ll want to stay flexible.
The forecast brings a mix of warm temperatures, sunshine, and a few rounds of showers and storms—especially Saturday and late Sunday.
Here’s a simple, hour-by-hour style breakdown so you can plan ahead.
Saturday: Warm Front, Clouds, and Spotty Storms
Morning (6 AM – 12 PM)
Mostly cloudy to start
A few early showers possible, especially toward the MD/PA border
Temperatures climbing through the 60s into the low 70s
What’s happening: A warm front is lifting north, bringing in milder air.
Afternoon (12 PM – 5 PM)
Highs reach the mid-70s
Clouds may break at times
Scattered showers and thunderstorms develop
Storm window: 2 PM – 7 PM
About a 50% chance of rain
Severe risk is low, but not zero
Possible:
Brief heavy downpours
Gusty winds
Maybe even small hail in isolated spots
Good news: Not everyone sees rain—but keep an eye on the sky.
Evening & Night (After 7 PM)
Storm chances linger early, then fade
Skies turn partly cloudy overnight
Lows drop to the mid-50s
Winds become light
Most of the night should be quiet and comfortable.
Sunday: The Pick of the Weekend
Morning
Dry and pleasant
A mix of sun and clouds early
Afternoon
Sunny and warmer
Highs in the low 80s
Light southwest breeze
This is your best outdoor day—great for parks, brunch, or yard work.
Sunday Night (After Midnight)
Clouds increase
Showers likely after midnight (70% chance)
Lows in the mid-50s
Winds shift from the north
Rain becomes more steady and widespread overnight
Looking Ahead (Late Sunday into Monday)
A cold front approaches from the northwest
Best chance for rain: Sunday night → Monday morning
Rainfall totals:
Generally 0.10″ to 0.25″
Locally higher in spots
Storms are possible, but:
Limited instability
Severe weather risk remains low
Weekend Planning Tips
Saturday:
Keep plans flexible—have a backup indoor option in the afternoon
Sunday:
Get outside early—it’s the best weather window
Sunday night:
Expect rain if you’re out late or traveling
The Big Picture
This weekend is part of a warming trend, with temperatures climbing from the 70s into the 80s. But with that warmth comes multiple chances for showers and storms, especially as weather fronts move through the region.
This weekend compared too next
Washington, D.C
Mom finds out daughter with autism was sexually abused at DC school week after it happened
CONTENT WARNING: This story contains content that may be uncomfortable to some readers. Discretion is advised.
WASHINGTON (7News) — A mother said she learned her 13-year-old daughter was sexually abused in a D.C. school when a detective contacted her a week after it happened. She said the school never notified her.
7News sat down with the mother on Friday, while her daughter was being evaluated and interviewed by detectives. We’re not sharing the mom’s identity to protect her daughter.
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The mom said she got a call Sunday night, “regarding my daughter and a sexual assault that happened at school involving my daughter last Monday.”
However, it didn’t come from the place or people she said she counted on.
“I never got a phone call from the school, an email, a text, nothing to say,” said the mom. Nothing happened until a week later.
That’s when a detective called and told her what happened.
“She was forced to give oral sex to a student in school,” said the mom.
Her 13-year-old daughter is disabled, autistic, and has challenges communicating.
The mom said she was sending her daughter to school without knowing what happened.
“I noticed a little behavior, emotional changes,” said the mom. “When I got that call now, it makes sense to, you know, what you because of what she had experienced at school and to come home and she didn’t say anything or no one had called me and just like it breaks my heart.”
7News obtained a copy of the police report, which confirms the youth investigative branch is investigating what happened to her daughter as sexual abuse. It shows that a Kelly Miller Middle School social worker reported it to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) last week.
“I just hope that I can be able to get her back on the right track. From all the trauma, on top of trauma,” said the mom. “To be able to grow and not have to hold that in the back of her head that she experienced in school, which should have been her safe place.”
7News started reaching out to DCPS just after 12:30 p.m. to ask if the students suspected of the abuse have been removed from the school, and why parents wouldn’t have been notified about the incident. They did not get back to us until after our first report aired. They did not answer either question. They provided the following statement.
A district spokesperson provided this statement:
At DC Public Schools (DCPS), student safety and wellbeing are paramount, and the district treats any allegation of sexual misconduct with the utmost seriousness. DCPS will continue to cooperate with law enforcement as this matter is investigated.
In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and our obligation to maintain student confidentiality, we are unable to provide comment on individual student cases.
If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual assault or abuse, the National Sexual Assault Hotline can be accessed by calling 1-800-656-4673.
WASHINGTON – A cyberattack on the Canvas learning management system left thousands of schools and universities offline Thursday, disrupting access to grades, assignments, course materials and lecture videos as students prepared for finals.
The hacking group ShinyHunters claimed responsibility for the breach, according to the Associated Press. Instructure, the company behind Canvas, did not immediately respond to questions about whether the system was taken down as a precaution or knocked offline, the AP reported.
READ MORE: Canvas outage impacts thousands of schools, universities: Hacker group reportedly takes credit
The hacking group posted online that nearly 9,000 schools worldwide were affected, with billions of private messages and other records accessed. Many school systems and universities in the Washington, D.C. region rely on Canvas as their primary learning management system.
In Montgomery County, school officials said access to the platform will remain unavailable “out of an abundance of caution” while they work to understand the impact of the incident and any potential vulnerabilities. Families were urged not to log in until MCPS and the myMCPS Classroom vendor resolve the issue.
The University of Maryland said it does not yet know when Canvas will return to service.
Canvas Cyberattack DC-Area School Systems Affected
Montgomery County Public Schools
Canvas (myMCPS Classroom) owned by Instructure Inc., is used by the school district as its learning management system. Due to a reported global cybersecurity concern involving Canvas, and impacting numerous school systems, universities, corporations in Maryland, other states, and worldwide, thus access to myMCPS Classroom has been disabled.
Out of an abundance of caution, access to the system will remain unavailable while we work to better understand the full impact of the incident and any potential vulnerabilities involving information connected to the platform. Please do not attempt to log in to the platform until MCPS and the myMCPS Classroom (Canvas) vendor have resolved this problem.
At this time, appropriate MCPS technology and security staff are continuing to assess the situation and coordinate with the vendor. We understand this disruption is frustrating and appreciate your patience as this work continues.
myMCPS Classroom provides access to student information such as grades, assignments, attendance, and course materials, and is an important tool for students and families to monitor academic progress. Additional information on how students can access resources and functions in myMCPS Classroom will be provided as soon as possible.
Updates will be shared as soon as additional information becomes available.
University of Maryland
Canvas may appear to be up right now, but please to not use it. DIT Security is not confident the system is safe to use right now. Please check back here before using Canvas.
For our faculty who use Canvas, we have created this guidance, and we will continue adding resources tomorrow. Please stay in touch with your students as we adapt to this evolving situation.
Prince George’s County Schools
There has been a cybersecurity incident involving Canvas, our Learning Management System.
Instructure, the parent company of Canvas, notified us of a global cybersecurity incident affecting 275 million users across numerous educational institutions. We have been informed that PGCPS was one of the many impacted organizations. While personal information including names, emails and Student IDs was impacted, NO sensitive information, such as dates of birth, passwords, financial information, was involved. PGCPS does not store that type of sensitive information or parent information in Canvas.
We are using this as an opportunity to reinforce the importance of exercising caution when communicating by email and remaining vigilant regarding suspicious messages, spam, phishing attempts, or other potentially fraudulent communications.
We will continue to monitor the situation and remain in close communication with Instructure.
Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Due to the ongoing issues with the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS), AACPS will operate schools on Friday, May 8, 2026, without the use of the LMS. The Virtual Academy will also remain open with altered instructional delivery that will also not use the LMS. Further instructions will be communicated from the school principal. The latest information regarding the breach and the status of school district operations can be found at www.aacps.org/canvasbreach.
Prince William County Public Schools
We are aware of the error appearing when accessing Canvas and are actively working with the vendor to resolve it. The issue is not just impacting PWCS, and is widespread and national in scope. We will provide updates when the vendor has resolved the issue.
The Source: Information in this article comes from the Associated Press and previous FOX 5 reporting.
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