Light winds and excessive low level moisture allowed areas of dense fog to form during the evening of the 28th. The fog dissipated before dawn on the 1st.
Every event with a place to put it; 9 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS LWX wrote it up.
Light winds and excessive low level moisture allowed areas of dense fog to form during the evening of the 28th. The fog dissipated before dawn on the 1st.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Baltimore/Washington wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 28, 3:23 PM EST, 5 hours 37 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
323 PM EST Sun Feb 28 2021
.SYNOPSIS...
A warm front will gradually lift northward across the region
tonight into early Monday as a wave of low pressure passes to
the north. A cold front will then cross the region later
Monday, with a second cold front Monday night. High pressure
will build from the Great Lakes toward the Middle Atlantic
Tuesday. Low pressure will likely pass to the south Wednesday,
with another cold front crossing the area Wednesday night.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH MONDAY/...
Latest analysis depicts a warm front near the North Carolina
coast extending into western South Carolina, then turning
northeastward around the southern Appalachians and continuing up
the spine to central West Virginia, then turning back west-
southwest and heading down the Ohio Valley. A low pressure is
centered near Cincinatti, with the front continuing
southwestward as a cold front towards Dallas, where a second low
pressure is located. The front then continues southwest into
Mexico. High pressure is centered east of Cape Cod, with another
south of Bermuda, a third in the central Rockies and a fourth
diving south out of south-cenral Canada behind another cold
front. Aloft, a ridge is centered near south Florida, with a
deep trough over Hudson Bay, a shortwave over the Great Lakes
and another over New Mexico.
Main push of warm advection/fgen, coupled with jet dynamics and
PVA with an embedded much weaker shortwave, is pushing
northeastward out of the CWA at present. Thus, believe heaviest
rain has now generally departed the area. However, with the
surface boundary staying south through the night, continued
weaker jet dynamics, expect lighter rain and drizzle to
predominate through this evening. Next wave of low pressure will
then arrive after midnight with another round of steadier rain,
but still lighter than the first round. In between the two
rounds, very high moisture, stable conditions beneath the warm
air advecting in aloft, and light winds look likely to to
promote some fog development, some of which may be dense. Dense
fog advisories may be necessary later this evening if this does
indeed develop, as suggested by several models. The fog likely
diminishes in intensity once the second round of rain moves in
and stirs up the atmosphere just a little bit. With the warm
front creeping north but otherwise not really crossing our area
through the night, temps likely stay about steady or perhaps
rise ever so slowly.
The second wave will push eastward just to our north early
Monday. As it does so, the warm front likely pushes northward
across our region, bringing the area into the warm sector. This
will be relatively brief, but a quick temperature surge into the
60s is possible Monday just before the main cold front blows
through. This is the apt description, as much stronger pressure
gradient combined with the low strengthening as it departs
results in some very gusty winds. Gusts can easily reach 40 mph
on Monday afternoon, and could even touch wind advisory levels.
&&
.SHORT TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT/...
Secondary cold front will cross the region Monday night, with
more gusty winds and another temperature drop. Winds on land
likely stay a little lighter Monday night, but a significant
temperature drop will put most places below freezing by early
Tuesday. The gradient stays up Tuesday, with highs staying
mostly in the 40s, so after a somewhat spring-like first day of
Meteorological Spring on Monday, Tuesday will feel like we
turned the calendar back a page. Diminishing gradient Tuesday
night will be coupled with incresing clouds as a wave approaches
from the southwest. Latest guidance suggests it is likely to
mostly miss our region to the south, but do have some chance
pops late Tuesday night in our southwestern zones, which given
temps near freezing, would suggest snow is possible.
&&
.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Wednesday continues to appear mostly dry for the area with low
pressure to our south, keeping the bulk of the moisture for the
Carolinas. Given the set up, any northern shift in the low would
pose the chance for precipitation to our CWA. Wintry
precipitation chances continue to decrease as well, given the
slower progression of the system as it tracks across the
Carolinas. Temperatures will increase to near 50 degrees by
midday, keeping anything that falls in the form of rain.
High pressure will build in from the northern plains, north-
westerly winds will prevail out ahead of it. Should keep
conditions dry for 24-36 hours before the next chance for some
precip. An upper level trough will be introduced to our north
late Thursday/early Friday along with a southern stream wave to
our south. Depending on any retrograding (if any) of the
northern/southern extents, could hint at the potential for
precip, remaining light in nature. High returns for the later
part of Saturday and the remainder of the weekend.
&&
.AVIATION /20Z SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
IFR to LIFR thru late tonight as warm front is stalled south of
the region, resulting in continued light rain, low clouds and
possibly some areas of dense fog. Clearing likely by midday
Monday as warm front lifts north then cold front pushes back
southeast, but with winds possibly gusting over 35 knots by
afternoon. Remaining windy but VFR Monday night through Tuesday
night.
VFR conditions expected for Wednesday through Thursday given
the southern result of the passing low pressure system across
the Carolinas.
&&
.MARINE...
Light winds this evening north of a warm front. As the front
lifts north late tonight, southerly channeling expected to
develop, so have SCA's starting later on. Warm front clears the
region briefly before cold front blasts through by Monday
afternoon, followed by a secondary front Monday night. Expect
widespread gusts near 30 knots by Monday afternoon with the
first front, possibly reaching low-end gales. Gales more likely
Monday night as cold advection behind second front becomes more
prominent and promotes more mixing. Winds likely stay elevated,
though perhaps not quite as strong, Tuesday, then relax some
more Tuesday night.
SCAs possible Wednesday and Thursday, remaining marginal at
this point with SW gusts of 15 to 20 knots possible Wednesday as
low pressure passes to our south. No other marine hazards
expected at this time.
&&
.HYDROLOGY...
Plenty of water in the snow plus rains amounting to 1-3 inches
across our mountain zones will necessitate continuance of flood
watch for these areas through this evening. Heaviest rain likely
has passed, however, so watches may be discontinued later
tonight. That said, larger streams and rivers will likely
continue rising for a day or two, and several river flood
watches and warnings are now in effect. Water levels even in the
larger rivers should begin to decline by midweek.
&&
.LWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
DC...None.
MD...Flood Watch through late tonight for MDZ001-501-502.
VA...Flood Watch through late tonight for VAZ503-504.
WV...Flood Watch through late tonight for WVZ050-055-501>506.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory from 10 AM to 6 PM EST Monday for
ANZ530>533-535-536-538>542.
Small Craft Advisory from 11 PM this evening to 6 PM EST
Monday for ANZ534-537-543.
&&
SYNOPSIS...RCM
NEAR TERM...RCM
SHORT TERM...RCM
LONG TERM...ADM
AVIATION...RCM/ADM
MARINE...RCM/ADM
HYDROLOGY...RCMHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC 723 PM EST Sun Feb 28 2021 ANZ530>543-DCZ001-MDZ008-011-013-014-016>018-504-506-508- VAZ052>057-011000- Chesapeake Bay north of Pooles Island MD- Chesapeake Bay from Pooles Island to Sandy Point MD- Chesapeake Bay from Sandy Point to North Beach MD- Chesapeake Bay from North Beach to Drum Point MD- Chesapeake Bay from Drum Point MD to Smith Point VA- Tidal Potomac from Key Bridge to Indian Head MD- Tidal Potomac from Indian Head to Cobb Island MD- Tidal Potomac from Cobb Island MD to Smith Point VA- Patapsco River including Baltimore Harbor- Chester River to Queenstown MD-Eastern Bay- Choptank River to Cambridge MD and the Little Choptank River- Patuxent River to Broomes Island MD- Tangier Sound and the inland waters surrounding Bloodsworth Island-District of Columbia-Cecil-Southern Baltimore- Prince Georges-Anne Arundel-Charles-St. Marys-Calvert- Central and Southeast Montgomery-Central and Southeast Howard- Southeast Harford-Prince William/Manassas/Manassas Park-Fairfax- Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria-Stafford-Spotsylvania- King George- 723 PM EST Sun Feb 28 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay, Tidal Potomac River, and I-95 corridor through central Maryland, northern Virginia, and District of Columbia. .DAY ONE...Tonight Areas of dense fog are possible tonight. Dense Fog Advisories may be required. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday A Gale Warning is in effect for all waters from 6 PM Monday through 6 AM Tuesday. There is the potential for wind gusts approaching 50 mph across the area late Monday into early Tuesday. Wind advisories may be necessary. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. MDZ003>006-503-505-507-VAZ025>031-036>040-050-051-501-502-505>508- WVZ050>053-055-011000- Washington-Frederick MD-Carroll-Northern Baltimore- Northwest Montgomery-Northwest Howard-Northwest Harford-Augusta- Rockingham-Shenandoah-Frederick VA-Page-Warren-Clarke-Nelson- Albemarle-Greene-Madison-Rappahannock-Orange-Culpeper- Northern Fauquier-Southern Fauquier-Western Loudoun- Eastern Loudoun-Northern Virginia Blue Ridge- Central Virginia Blue Ridge-Hampshire-Morgan-Berkeley-Jefferson- Hardy- 723 PM EST Sun Feb 28 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of eastern West Virginia, northern and central Virginia, and central and western Maryland. .DAY ONE...Tonight There is an isolated threat for flooding of small streams and creeks as well as urban areas through tonight. A Flood Watch is in effect for Hampshire and Hardy Counties in eastern West Virginia where the threat is highest. Areas of dense fog are possible tonight. Dense Fog Advisories may be required. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday A few instances of mainstem river flooding are possible into early next week. Several river flood watches and warnings are in effect. There is the potential for wind gusts approaching 50 mph across the area late Monday into early Tuesday. Wind advisories may be necessary. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. MDZ001-501-502-VAZ503-504-WVZ501>506-011000- Garrett-Extreme Western Allegany-Central and Eastern Allegany- Western Highland-Eastern Highland-Western Grant-Eastern Grant- Western Mineral-Eastern Mineral-Western Pendleton- Eastern Pendleton- 723 PM EST Sun Feb 28 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the Allegheny Front counties in western Maryland, eastern West Virginia, and Highland County Virginia. .DAY ONE...Tonight A Flood Watch is effect for the entire outlook area. Rapid snow melt resulting from moderate to locally heavy rainfall may lead to the flooding of small streams and creeks as well as urban areas. Areas of dense fog are possible tonight. Dense Fog Advisories may be required. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday A few instances of mainstem river flooding are possible into early next week. Several river flood watches and warnings are in effect. There is the potential for wind gusts approaching 50 mph across the area late Monday into early Tuesday. Wind advisories may be necessary. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
10 dense fog. Local standard time, as filed.
Light winds and excessive low level moisture allowed areas of dense fog to form during the evening of the 28th. The fog dissipated before dawn on the 1st.
Light winds and excessive low level moisture allowed areas of dense fog to form during the evening of the 28th. The fog dissipated before dawn on the 1st.
Light winds and excessive low level moisture allowed areas of dense fog to form during the evening of the 28th. The fog dissipated before dawn on the 1st.
Light winds and excessive low level moisture allowed areas of dense fog to form during the evening of the 28th. The fog dissipated before dawn on the 1st.
Light winds and excessive low level moisture allowed areas of dense fog to form during the evening of the 28th. The fog dissipated before dawn on the 1st.
Light winds and excessive low level moisture allowed areas of dense fog to form during the evening of the 28th. The fog dissipated before dawn on the 1st.
Light winds and excessive low level moisture allowed areas of dense fog to form during the evening of the 28th. The fog dissipated before dawn on the 1st.
Light winds and excessive low level moisture allowed areas of dense fog to form during the evening of the 28th. The fog dissipated before dawn on the 1st.
Light winds and excessive low level moisture allowed areas of dense fog to form during the evening of the 28th. The fog dissipated before dawn on the 1st.
Light winds and excessive low level moisture allowed areas of dense fog to form during the evening of the 28th. The fog dissipated before dawn on the 1st.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Virginia in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in Virginia, February 2021
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 945762, 945763, 945764, 945765, 945766, 945767, 945768, 945769, 945770, 945771.