MARYLAND — A foot of snow falling from a single winter storm in Maryland during February is not unprecedented, based on historical weather data, though it does require a specific set of atmospheric conditions.
February is typically one of Maryland’s snowiest months. Long-term climate records from the National Weather Service show that average February snowfall ranges from about 3 to 6 inches along the Chesapeake Bay and Eastern Shore to 6 to 10 inches in central Maryland, including the Baltimore-Washington corridor. In far western Maryland, including higher elevations in Garrett and Allegany counties, average February snowfall can exceed 20 inches.
While monthly averages are much lower than 12 inches in most of the state, individual storms have historically produced snowfall totals at or above one foot.
One of the most notable examples is the February 5–6, 2010 blizzard, often referred to as “Snowmageddon.” During that storm, Baltimore received more than 20 inches of snow, while some locations in central Maryland recorded totals exceeding two feet.
Earlier events also demonstrate the potential. The Presidents’ Day storm of February 2003 brought widespread snowfall of 15 to 30 inches across much of Maryland. In February 1983, a major nor’easter produced more than a foot of snow in portions of the state.
Climatologically, a one-foot snowfall in a single system typically requires a strong coastal storm, commonly known as a nor’easter, tracking along or just off the Mid-Atlantic coastline. These systems draw moisture from the Atlantic Ocean while cold air remains entrenched over the region.
When temperatures throughout the atmospheric column remain below freezing, precipitation falls as snow, and high snowfall rates — sometimes one to three inches per hour — can accumulate quickly over 12 to 24 hours.
Maryland’s geographic position makes it susceptible to such events. The state sits along the transition zone between colder continental air to the north and warmer maritime air to the south and east. If a storm track is favorable, central and northern Maryland can remain on the cold side of the system long enough to support heavy snow. Conversely, a slight shift in track can introduce warmer air and limit accumulation, especially closer to the Chesapeake Bay and southern Maryland.
Elevation also plays a significant role. Western Maryland’s higher terrain increases the likelihood of heavier snow totals due to colder surface temperatures and orographic enhancement. In contrast, coastal and southern areas are more vulnerable to mixing with sleet or rain, which can reduce overall snow totals.
Historical data indicate that while a foot of snow from one February storm is not common in Maryland, it is well within the range of documented events. Major February snowstorms have occurred multiple times over the past several decades, demonstrating that the atmospheric setup required for such accumulation does occasionally align.
Based strictly on past weather records and climatological patterns, a single February system producing 12 inches of snow somewhere in Maryland is meteorologically possible, though dependent on precise storm track, temperature profiles, and moisture availability.
