Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Review of Winter 2014/15

Now that Spring is here and starting to actually feel like it, with temperatures climbing tomorrow finally into the 60's, it's time to review this past winter's weather. 

It was not about snow totals, but more winter weather events and below average cold temperatures.

Lacking my own records, here is what I found using Accuweather data:

Winter 2014-2015 Winter Events 
Doylestown, PA
Date of Event
snow
ice
Notes
November 13
0.5”


November 26, Thanksgiving Storm
2”
x
travel impacts to the south
January 3-4

x

January 6
1”
x

January 9
0.3”


January 12

x

January 18

x

January 21
0.5”
x
black ice/ accidents
January 24
5”


January 26-27 - Blizzard
4.5”

NE with 20-35” and 50-80+ mph winds
February 1
0.5”


February 5
0.1”


February 12
0.1”
x

February 14, Valentine’s storm
2.5”

50+ mph winds
February 15
0.8”
x

February 17
3”
x

February 21-22
3”


March 3
1.5”


March 5
8.3”

heavy snow
March 20
3.5”

wet, heavy snow

TOTALS


37.1”


20 events

Here are the snow total comparisons for Philadelphia for the last 2 years:

NOAA Snow Totals Comparisons for Philadelphia
for Winters 2013/14 and 2014/15
Winter months
2013/14
2014/15
November
T
T
December
11.2
0.1
January
25.9
4.3
February
22.4
10.6
March
8.5
12
April
T
T
TOTALS
68”
27”


It was, also, about the below average temperatures:

Winter stats for Winter of 2013-2014





While searching, I found some other great weather information sites: 

At the NOAA site, they provide monthly data: http://sercc.com/nowdata.html

These blogs and sites provide excellent maps and stories: https://www.facebook.com/easternpaweatherauthority

Jeff Master's Blog from Wunderground: 

Current results provides averages: 

Weatherworks offers great insights, maps, and blog: http://www.weatherworksinc.com/

In conclusion, we had over 20 events with final snow accumulations yielding only 37" for Doylestown and 27" for Philadelphia, but with well below average temperatures of 14-16 degrees, causing more ice related issues. Last year, there were only 11 events with 68" of snow. 

A finally look at Winter's end and last dates for expected snowfalls. It looks like we are in the clear!