When DC froze: Remembering ‘Snowmageddon’ 10 years later

Mountains of snow buried the tarmac at Washington’s Reagan National Airport. Sightseers used skis to slide through a snowy National Mall. Snow drifts piled up to the White House’s windows.

Ten years ago, D.C. bore the brunt of what came to be called Snowmageddon — one of the most severe winter storms in capital weather history. Between 1 and 3 feet of snow fell from Feb. 5 to Feb. 6, 2010: Flights at Reagan ground to a halt under 17.8 inches of snow — tame compared with Dulles, which saw over 32 inches.

Believe it or not, it used to snow in the District. A lot. Flashback to the epic storm with the photos below:

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A snow plow is dwarfed by a pile of snow during snow cleanup on the tarmac at Washington’s Reagan National Airport, Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010, as a massive snow storm has hit the Washington area, canceling all flights for Saturday. (AP/Jacquelyn Martin)

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A tree falls onto a road under the weight of 28 inches of snow in Reston during a record-breaking snowstorm in February 6, 2010. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)

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The White House is blanketed in snow in Washington Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010. Mid-Atlantic residents were buried by a blizzard the president jokingly called “Snowmageddon,” and those brave enough tried to clear a path through the wet, heavy mounds of thigh-high snow. (AP/Alex Brandon)

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The Reston Parkway is empty of cars during the height of Snowmageddon in February 2010. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)

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Travis Grout uses his cross-country snow skis to get around the West Front of the Capitol in Washington, Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010. (AP/Alex Brandon)

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Officials work the scene of Joshua Temple Church Ministry in northeast Washington after the roof collapsed under the heavy snow Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010. A massive snow storm has hit the area with snow expected to continue throughout Saturday evening. (AP/Jacquelyn Martin)

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The Oval Office at the White House in Washington is covered in snow, Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010. (AP/Susan Walsh)

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A cul-de-sac in northern Fairfax County is buried under more than 2 feet of snow during the big February 2010 storm. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)

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A family walks down a snow-covered street during the February 2010 storm. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)

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Statues at the Korean War Memorial in Washington, are covered in snow, Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010, as a massive snow storm hit the Washington area. (AP/Jacquelyn Martin)

Alejandro Alvarez

Alejandro Alvarez joined WTOP as a digital journalist and editor in June 2018. He is a reporter and photographer focusing on politics, political activism and international affairs.