December 5, 2022

This is the most unlikely of stories, but one I have been fondly telling for years at many of my school STEM visits.  The phrase Faith in the Flakes goes along with the rare history of snow in Baltimore on December 5th, which began 20 years ago today. That was the first snow of the season in our region almost every year for nearly a decade.  It grew into something I never expected, and I keep honoring it because the credit goes to my son. It also revives a little bit of magic to kick off winter and the holiday season. 

On December 5th, 2002, Baltimore set the record for snow on the date with 7.4 inches at BWI airport. I remember that day well because I was working the storm for WBAL-TV, stationed in Glen Burnie across the street from the MVA. The special day was marked by the Chief Meteorologist challenging me to do a snow angel on live TV, and I gladly complied. See the rest of the story below the video.

Snow Angel VIDEO

Exactly one year earlier, the record high temperature for Baltimore was set at 75ºF. This flip itself proves how unique our weather can be in the Mid Atlantic and no two years are alike. Or were they?  Eight out of the next nine years we had our first snowfall on this date! Well, in 2008 the snow fell on December 6th, but I used some literary license applying Leap Year shifting that day off for us.

I know of many people who would place their bets (and win) office pools for the first snow of the year. Check this out:

Snow In Baltimore At BWI

How Faith in the Flakes Began

It was 2009… I was working on TV in Baltimore at the time.  Around the time of Thanksgiving, I came home with the excitement that we might get early snow… in November! I shared my excitement with my son.  He has just become a big brother and I wanted to give him some more attention, plus a reason to play outside with him.  We talked about all the things we planned on doing in the snow that weekend. But when the week ended, the snow did not arrive.

I had to explain to Little B why his dad (and a weatherman) was wrong. Brendan understood quickly, and believed it would eventually snow. He knew we had plenty of winter ahead of us. So that word ‘Faith’ was his knowing it and believing in something even though we couldn’t see. 

The phrase Faith in the Flakes (#FITF) came from our conversation.  He walked away happy and I didn’t feel so bad.  We didn’t have to wait long.

It was this date is when #FITF got validation!

On December 5, 2009 when we got our snow.  Baltimore’s BWI records only show 1 inch, but the inland suburbs got up to 5 inches. That’s what we got to play in at our house.

The Snowiest Winter On Record Followed!

Then two weeks later on December 19, 2009, we had the largest snowstorm in Baltimore December history with a total of 18 inches. Most of that fell on December 19, 2009. We got to do all the things we had been talking about. Building a snowman, sleigh riding, having the dog drag us down the street, and building a fort/snow cave.

That began our snowiest winter on record, including the two blizzards in 5 days in February. The seasonal total was 77 inches! WOW! Faith in the Flakes became a ritual for us to say to each other ahead of a storm, until one day it fell out of my mouth on TV. More on that below.. 

This was my son and I celebrating in 20 inches of snow (at our house).  

Brendan was a tall 3 year old if you try to size it up here.  We got our snow cave too! This was PROOF that having Faith in the Flakes will eventually come true. I am so happy as a dad to carry on that legacy with thousands of people today.

Still Playing Today!

It is early in winter, so this is from last season. He has since cut that long Covid inspired hair, and I shaved my salty beard 🙂 

My teenager is now over 6 Feet tall, and our playing is mostly on snowboards. But we found a way to evolve, and I love having a buddy to shred the mountain with.

I have since personally called this December 5th FITF Day. Even without snow on this date, I know it is coming soon.

Faith in the Flakes Gear/Apparel?!?

In the winter or 2014 I hit my stride forecasting (and trusting the Canadian Model over the others). The result of calling many storms right accelerated my Facebook Page following to over 100,000 people. Many of them were saying Faith in the Flakes to me ahead of storms.  

It was that summer when I decided to use this larger platform to do my first Maryland Trek: 329 miles hiking and biking across the state from Wisp to Ocean City for Child Cancer Awareness. This eventually led me on the path to starting the Just In Power Kids nonprofit with my wife Shannon. 

For some reason, that pushed me out of my comfort zone, and I finally accepted many requests to put FITF on a shirt. I never wanted to be a T-shirt guy, but I went with it. I asked my friend Lauren, who is an artist, to come up with a design, and after a little tweaking we have what you see today. 

Over the years, this forced me to learn a lot about business. I even had to learn about trademark protection, although some musician paid to promote my hashtag on Twitter. If you type it in there, a face comes up and I believe its a music tour Faith in the Future. I am just letting it go because I know what this means to me and the people who care about our story. 

I have had many printers, and the path led me to Hunter and Andrew at Maryland Print House, who have become great business partners.

Faith in the Flakes Gear

They handle all of the apparel, and even my school programs with spirit wear fundraisers. Some schools sell FITF with their name and even sometimes logo to their students. This can offset the cost of my STEM program and I end up handing them money when I arrive.

STEM Assemblies/In School Fields Trips Are Back

Click to see more and ‘Book’ a visit to your school

To date, over $25,000 has been given back to Maryland schools thanks to FITF spirit wear!

I have also given a portion of my store proceeds to Just In Power Kids. So there has been a cycle of giving that has elevated FITF beyond anything I ever could have imagined.

The greatest part of it: This all began with me missing a snow forecast and being present in a conversation with my son.

This date means a lot to me, and I hope our story can encourage you and your kids to be present, be real, and maybe join forces to come up with something really special. 

Now, how about we get some real snow to have fun with?

Faith in the Flakes for an active winter perhaps with an early start. 

NEW Faith In The Flakes Gear

Normals And Records: Maryland and Baltimore Climate History

My Winter Outlook: Not A Typical La Niña!

I see many factors to support colder influence with multiple systems. Early and later in winter. Check it out.

Winter Outlook 2023 For Snow Not Typical La Niña Plus Polar Vortex Disruption

Also See The Winter Outlook Series:

Atmospheric Memory Suggests Active Winter Storm Pattern Outlook

Winter Outlook 2023 From NOAA Very Different Than Farmers Almanacs

Farmer’s Almanac Comparison

Winter Outlook 2023 Early Look At Snow From Two Farmers Almanacs

Triple Dip La Niña Winter

Winter Outlook 2023 La Niña Triple Dip Expectations

CONNECTION TO WINTER?

If you want a snowy winter, this is what you might want to look for in the rest of the tropical season. (You might be seeing a lot of commercial snow removal people out this Winter).

Record August For No Named Tropical Storms: Closer Look At Snow Following

Wooly Bear Caterpillars

Winter Weather Outlook From The Wooly Bear Caterpillar

Persimmon Seeds

Winter Weather Outlook: Persimmon Seeds And Snow Folklore

Click to see Top 20 and MORE

Winter Weather Folklore Top 20 And More Outlook Signals From Nature For Cold And Snow

SNOWSTIX – Available Now

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