Weather
Maryland Snowfall History: Why Mild Seasons Can Still Bring Snow in Winter 2026-27
Baltimore, MD – Maryland has experienced winter storms capable of dropping more than 35 inches of snow in a single day, with historic accumulations affecting communities from the Appalachian Mountains
By Lena Wood · 2026-10-21T12:23:31.648Z
Baltimore, MD – Maryland has experienced winter storms capable of dropping more than 35 inches of snow in a single day, with historic accumulations affecting communities from the Appalachian Mountains to the Baltimore Washington metropolitan area. As winter 2026 27 approaches, those records demonstrate why even relatively mild winters can still produce dangerous snowfall.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Friendsville in Garrett County recorded 35.5 inches of snow Feb. 6, 2010, the highest one day measurement in the supplied Maryland county records. That same storm produced extraordinary accumulations across much of the state, including more than 30 inches in several counties.
Maryland's Biggest Distinct Single Day Snowfall Records The following list identifies the highest measurement for each distinct snowfall date in NOAA's county level records. Multiple locations reporting snowfall during the same storm are grouped together rather than counted as separate events.
1. Feb. 6, 2010: Friendsville, Garrett County — 35.5 inches. New Market recorded 34 inches, Perry Hall 33.6 inches and Elkridge 32 inches. 2. March 29, 1942: Clear Spring, Washington County — 31.0 inches 3. March 14, 1993: Frostburg, Allegany County — 30.0 inches 4. Feb. 13 14, 1899: Queenstown, Queen Anne's County — 30.0 inches on Feb. 13. Easton in Talbot County recorded 30 inches Feb. 14 during the same historic storm. 5. Jan. 23, 2016: Baltimore/Washington International Airport, Anne Arundel County — 29.8 inches. Brighton Dam recorded 28 inches. 6. Feb. 19, 1979: Owings Ferry Landing, Calvert County — 26.0 inches. Mechanicsville recorded 21 inches. 7. Dec. 19, 2009: Bryans Road, Charles County — 24.2 inches 8. Jan. 28, 1922: Cambridge, Dorchester County — 24.0 inches. Rock Hall recorded 20 inches. 9. Feb. 16, 2003: Laurel, Prince George's County — 24.0 inches 10. Feb. 7, 1936: Princess Anne, Somerset County — 18.0 inches The February 7, 2010, observation in Harford County was part of the same broader storm as February 6 and is not counted separately.
Why Maryland's Snowfall History Matters Maryland's geography creates dramatically different winter weather conditions across the state.
Western Maryland's higher elevations can experience intense snowfall, while powerful coastal storms can bring substantial accumulations to Baltimore, Annapolis, Washington area suburbs and the Eastern Shore.
The February 2010 blizzard demonstrated how widespread extreme snowfall can become, with several counties recording more than 30 inches during the same event.
The January 2016 storm also produced extraordinary accumulations across central Maryland, disrupting transportation throughout the region.
What Could This Mean for Winter 2026 27? El Niño can influence winter temperatures, precipitation and storm tracks across the Mid Atlantic. However, warmer seasonal conditions do not eliminate the possibility of significant snowfall.
When cold air remains positioned over Maryland and moisture rich storm systems move northward along the Atlantic coast, substantial snowfall can occur even during an otherwise mild winter.
Historical snowfall records cannot predict whether winter 2026 27 will bring another record breaking storm. They demonstrate that a single powerful weather system can create dangerous conditions regardless of the season's overall temperature trend.
For Maryland residents, the lesson is clear: One major winter storm can still bring widespread disruptions, even when much of the season feels relatively mild.