Late Season Snow Can Stick: Photos From The Eastern Shore Of Maryland

March 8, 2023

I need to start off by saying this post is NOT A FORECAST. This is a recap of some recent late-season snow events with documented stickage. I have some photos from a long-time friend and weather watcher I want to share with you.

We do have a late-season snow event very likely in a few days, so I will use this as a reference.

I have heard the full spectrum of comments online about snow in March, or even April for the Mid-Atlantic. It may not be your preference, but it is very plausible. Here is what I have read:

Some people have stated:

• Snow can NOT stick because the ground is too warm.
• Snow can NOT stick because the sun’s angle is too high.
• Snow can NOT stick when temperatures are above freezing.
• Snow can NOT stick because of Daylight Saving Time.

There are some valid points, and in many cases, I agree. “Daylight Saving Time,” however, is just shifting the clock. It does not affect the sun’s angle.

However, there are some exceptions. For snow to fall AND stick on the ground in March or April, our region in the Mid-Atlantic, centered on Maryland, needs at least one of the following:

• Snow to start falling at night to not battle with the sun’s angle.
• Heavy snow intensity to overtake the warmer ground.
• One or two nights below freezing and a day with cloud cover to help keep the ground cooler.
• Some storms simply just surpass this and overachieve.

Extreme Example: Baltimore in 1990

One of the largest swings of weather started with record high temperatures in the 80s between March 12 to 15. The following week on March 24, a record 1.4 inches of snow was measured at BWI.

More Examples from Maryland’s Eastern Shore

When I moved to Maryland and began working at WBAL-TV in 1997,  I quickly became friends with George Jackson. He is a man on Maryland’s Eastern Shore who is obsessed with weather, so we connected. He would share a report almost every morning and I would share it on the newscast.

Recently he made this post on Facebook, and I wanted to show you the photos below.

Side note about George. He is well known across Delmarva traveling as Santa and having countless people sign large scrolls he would send to our troops overseas. He is a true humanitarian and a special soul that deserves more credit than just these snow memories.

Where is American Corner?

This small town might have one intersection in landlocked Caroline County. It is located to the east of Easton, so away from the water in the middle of the Delmarva peninsula.

Closer Look

Now that we know where it is, seeing the snow totals and dates for this southern location on the coastal plain is even more impressive.

Late Season Snow Photos From George

March 27, 2011

March 25, 2013

George does have a good sense of humor.

April 15 to 16, 2014

To be fair, this was the winter we had 2 legit Polar Vortex Outbreaks. They included deep ice forming by The Bay Bridge where people could walk out onto the Bay. It also featured the coldest March temperature on record in Baltimore at 4ºF on March 4th. This was 6 weeks later.

March 13, 2015

Take Away

March can often serve up a surprise.

This is why I have been stating ‘KEEP AN OPEN MIND.’

I have been trying to downplay the next storm (March 10, 2023), but had to begin to take it seriously. I hope this walk through history shows why even when it’s not likely, snow is still possible.

This has been a major challenge for my snowplow clients who have removed plows from a lot of their trucks. I am scrutinizing everything to try and help them make the proper moves to prepare if needed. FYI- they cover inland, colder locations.

If you missed out on winter, there is still reason to have Faith in the Flakes.

FITF

REPORT: March Snow and Extreme Weather History

March Snow and Extreme Weather History

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

My REALISTIC Expectations for the COLD OUTLOOK

Also See:

Winter History: Low Snow And Late Starts

See my research based on Baltimore data since 1883.

RESTATING MY MESSAGE ABOUT DYSLEXIA

I am aware there are some spelling and grammar typos, and occasional other glitches. I take responsibility for my mistakes, and even the computer glitches I may miss.

I have made a few public statements over the years, but if you are new here you may have missed it:

I have dyslexia, and found out during my second year at Cornell University. It didn’t stop me from getting my meteorology degree, and being first to get the AMS CBM in the Baltimore/Washington region. One of my professors told me that I had made it that far without knowing, and to not let it be a crutch going forward. That was Mark Wysocki and he was absolutely correct!

I do miss my mistakes in my own proofreading. The autocorrect spell check on my computer sometimes does an injustice to make it worse. I also can make mistakes in forecasting. No one is perfect predicting the future.

All of the maps and information are accurate. The ‘wordy’ stuff can get sticky. 

There has been no editor that can check my work when I needed it and have it ready to send out in a newsworthy timeline. Barbara Werner is a member of the web team that helps me maintain this site. She has taken it upon herself to edit typos, when she is able. That could be AFTER you read this.

I accept this and perhaps proves what you read is really from me…

It’s part of my charm.

#FITF

STEM Assemblies/In School Fields Trips Are Back

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

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. https://justinweather.com/2022/11/22/winter-outlook-2023-for-snow-not-typical-la-nina-plus-polar-vortex-disruption/

Also See The Winter Outlook Series:

https://justinweather.com/2022/11/20/atmospheric-memory-suggests-active-winter-storm-pattern-outlook/

https://justinweather.com/2022/10/21/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

https://justinweather.com/2022/09/09/winter-outlook-2023-la-nina-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. https://justinweather.com/2022/08/31/record-august-for-no-named-tropical-storms-closer-look-at-snow-following/

Woolly Bear Caterpillars

https://justinweather.com/2022/10/25/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

https://justinweather.com/2022/10/28/winter-weather-folklore-top-20-and-more-outlook-signals-from-nature-for-cold-and-snow/

Normals And Records: Maryland and Baltimore Climate History

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