The storm was so powerful that it set new snowfall records in several cities. Washington, D.C. received a total of 26.5 inches of snow, breaking a previous record set in 1922. Philadelphia received 27.8 inches of snow, breaking a record set in 1899. Baltimore received a record-breaking 29.2 inches of snow.
The storm also caused widespread power outages. In Virginia, more than 300,000 customers lost power. In Maryland, more than 250,000 customers were without power. In Washington, D.C., more than 100,000 customers lost power.
The storm also caused transportation disruptions. Airports were closed, roads were impassable, and public transportation was halted. Thousands of people were stranded in their homes or at airports.
The storm was caused by a combination of factors, including:
- A cold air mass from Canada moved over the warm air over the Atlantic Ocean, creating instability.
- A jet stream directed the storm towards the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States.
- The storm picked up moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, which fueled its growth.
- The storm was slow-moving, which allowed it to dump more snow than it otherwise might have.
Snowmaggedon was a truly historic storm. It was one of the most powerful and disruptive storms to hit the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States in decades.
