Washington, D.C., snowfall total called into question after improper measurement

The Washington Post ^ | January 23, 2016 | Angela Fritz

[Cincinatus' Wife]

It has become apparent this afternoon and evening, through multiple conversations with the weather observers at Reagan National Airport, that the snowfall totals submitted to the National Weather Service for that location have not been measured properly.

As of 8 p.m., 17.8 inches of snow had been recorded at National - Washington, D.C.'s official weather monitoring location. That reflects just a 0.3-inch increase in the three hours since 5 p.m. during which time light to moderate snowfall was being reported at the airport.

The National Weather Service has clear guidelines on how to measure snowfall for one simple reason: snowstorms have a huge effect on the economy, life and property. They have an impact on millions of people and can result in millions of dollars lost. They also play an obvious important role in the historical record.

The way that the snowfall has been measured at National in this storm has led to snowfall totals that could be much lower than what has actually fallen and may have unnecessarily withheld the storm from ending as one of the top 3 snowiest on record....

....The measurements taken at National were not done with a snow board, so they may have been reduced by compaction...

[Cincinatus' Wife]

I can't help but suspect that their "concern" has a lot to do with promoting a green, disruptive climate change agenda.

[pepsionice]

Having lived around Arlington and walked the length of the National Airport...I’ll make this observation. There are a lot of taller structures within a half-mile of the airport (at least from the western side), and if this were a snow storm that blew snow sideways...you’d have some different influence upon accumulation at the airport.

I don’t know if they simply observe what’s on the ground or simply walk up to a roof of a support building. There’s not a lot of open ground around the front or sides of the airport.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

When we’ve lived in the MD/VA area the biggest problem from storms (or even a stiff breeze) was the loss of power from trees taking down the lines (and subsequent loss of everything in the fridge and freezer).

[factoryrat]

Don’t like the results of a measurement? Then just change the rules of how to make the measurement! It still doesn’t change the fact that snowstorms (or any inclement weather for that matter) prevents people from moving about outdoors,

[clearcarbon]

"The measurements taken at National were not done with a snow board"

Did they substitute a hockey stick?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

: )

[TigersEye]

The Federal government couldn’t boil water without written instructions and a five star chef standing by to walk them through it.

[kingu]

They’re not doing it right! !!

Come on, children, it really doesn’t make much difference, others are and it will get adjusted after the storm is over. Why a big sticks about it?

[stylin19a]

relevant ? who lives at the aiport ?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

I’ve certainly noticed that the rain totals reported by the weather website .com are consistently way off from mine (small town outside of Houston) that when I get 4-5, inches they might report 1-2.

These measurements are taken and tweaked for future government funded studies, then used to restrict something, promote something and to malign critics of “scientific consensus.”

[pepsionice]

After the 2010 episode...a lot of locals in Maryland got up and complained bitterly about power loss (some went ten days without power). Then the issue was brought up about property owners and political pressure to not trim back on trees near power lines. It’s a big issue in west DC....where they really don’t want trees trimmed to the nature required.

I remember from the 2012 wind storm that went through DC and Virginia...the same issue was brought up.

I know in the south....no one says much about this and tree-trimming just occurs. Everyone within the DC shadow that owns property....is all pepped up to have shade and bulked-up trees.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

It’s nuts - really third world when it comes to reliable electricity.

[Kickass Conservative]

Well, are they going to blame Cruz for shutting down the Federal Government because he caused the Snowstorm?

[Billthedrill]

“We don’t understand it - we gave the job to the same people who are calculating unemployment...”

[PeteB570]

I used to get POed because my measurements were way off from the airport which was one of out county’s “official” sites.

I joined CoCoRaHS and got their official rain gauge years ago and have been reporting rain and snow ever since.

Now if you have a number of stations in your county you can see the rain fall differences and how the rain bands moved through.

And Yes, reporting snow events is complicated and a PitA.

http://www.cocorahs.org/

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Thanks Pete!

[Cincinatus' Wife]

26.8 inches of snow in New York City 2nd most since 1869

"Officials say the 26.8 inches of snow that fell in New York City's Central Park is the second-most recorded since 1869.

The National Weather Service announced the new snowfall total just after midnight Sunday. That narrowly misses tying the previous record of 26.9 inches from February 2006.

Officials began keeping records on snowfall totals in 1869.

Snow stopped falling in New York City shortly after 10 p.m. Saturday night....."

INTERESTING THAT THEY DIDN'T NOTE THE 3rd and 4th MOST RECORDED [listed as 2 and 3 in graphic as this weekends snowfall wasn't listed yet].

A look at the top 10 biggest snowstorms on record in NYC

[SaveFerris]

Man, this hot Global Warming is producing some cold Global Snow!

I love science!!! Like when they tell us how good the economy is!! It’s heating up like Global Warming!!!

[ArtDodger]

The other day, I read that El Nino is winding down, and predicted to end soon.. except that, due to man-made global warming, anything could happen! Whew!

[SaveFerris]

So, we need to keep El Nino going to offest Global Warming!

Man, that Al Gore is sure smart!