April 1994: Spring with a Vengeance
Sure, the current weather is a bit chilly. But overall, through one-third of the month, April temperatures have averaged more than two degrees above normal. This is in sharp contrast to April of last year, which was the coldest in almost 25 years. But what about warm Aprils? The type that make it known that spring is in full force. Where have they been?
While Aprils have been gradually warmer as of late, you have to go back to 1994 for an April that really made a mark.
1993-94 was a harsh winter. While the copious amounts of snow were confined to the northeast and New England, D.C. still experienced a very cold winter featuring numerous wintry events (snow, sleet and ice). That winter is the second coldest in the last 30 years, and all four months from December to March featured below-normal temperatures. Then came April.
April 1994 was our second warmest April on record, averaging around six degrees above normal. There was only one day where the high temperature was below 60 degrees, and the low temperature never dipped below 36. Eighteen of April's 30 days featured high temperatures above 70 degrees, including eight 80-degree readings and one high of 90 (April 27). There were no daily records, but April was undoubtedly warm, with no Aprils coming within 2 degrees since. After a cold May, June 1994 would be our warmest on record with an amazing heat wave. A hot July would follow, followed by a cool August.
An interesting stretch of weather indeed.
By Matt Ross |
April 13, 2008; 12:00 PM ET
Local Climate
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Posted by: C. Bieber | April 13, 2008 2:32 PM
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I remember May 1994 as having about a week straight of clouds and temps in the 50's right before my graduation. Then in June I remember about a week with temps over 100. And I believe it was Jan. 1994 when there was a day that the temp. did not get above zero at BWI. A weird year, indeed.
Posted by: mickb | April 13, 2008 3:37 PM
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During the winter of 1994, DC shut down for a day due to high energy usage caused by the cold temperatures. Those were the coldest temperatures I've ever experienced. I can remember working retail & having to wait in
3F temps for a manager to come open the store.
That April surely felt a lot better than this one!
Posted by: dynagirl | April 13, 2008 3:59 PM
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Is the sleet threat over? I want to put away my shovel.
Posted by: No sleet | April 13, 2008 5:55 PM
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Any sleet updates? Went and stocked up on toilet paper
Posted by: Scared of Sleet | April 13, 2008 7:59 PM
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Can't really shovel sleet. Put it away.
Posted by: Kalorama Park | April 13, 2008 9:02 PM
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How does the second half of April look, both for temps and precip? I want warm(ish) and dry...all the better to patch, paint, wire, and move the boat up the river back to VA. I'm way behind!
Posted by: ~sg | April 13, 2008 10:36 PM
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mickb, how in god's good name do you remember all of that?
Posted by: Anonymous | April 14, 2008 9:15 AM
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1994:
If memory serves me right, that was the winter we got very little snow but plenty of ice. On Lincoln's Birthday, Feb. 12 we had the only sleet storm in my memory which resulted in a Federal shutdown. There were about 2 to 4 inches of sleet across the region. There was no freezing rain in my area.
Posted by: El Bombo | April 14, 2008 10:38 AM
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The weather here is quite absurd to say the least. I believe that in a few years I may take up residence in Scotland once again. At least one might know what to expect from the weather there. Just my "two cents".