Gaithersburg Snowfall Was A Total, Complete Bust - Here's Why

GAITHERSBURG, MD — Well, that was pretty pathetic. After reports that we might get as much as 3 inches of snow or more, we got about as light of a dusting as you can imagine.

Even though forecasters always said a dusting was a possibility, why is it we always seem to get on the lower end of snowfall predictions in the D.C. area?

Part of it is due to our geographic location, where it often doesn't get cold enough for significant snowfall as compared to farther north, and part of it is due to luck. This time, we got hit with the dreaded "snow hole," and the graphic below tells you all you need to know:

We've certainly had some busts as far as snowfall predictions in the past. Probably the most infamous one in recent years was back in March of 2013 when local meteorologists predicted up to half a foot of snow in the area. In reality, we got a few flurries and then some rain.

Time may be running out for us to get snow as well. When forecasters projected an above-average snowfall season back during the fall, they pegged January as the most promising month for it, as it was expected to be colder than average. February was projected to be about average in terms of temperature and March above average.

However, while January temperatures have been quite cold at times, they've also gotten very warm, and are expected to do so again this weekend. With only a couple weeks left in the month, we may be on our way to a bust of a snow season.

Image via Pixabay