Damascus, Maryland

==Geography==
As an unincorporated area, Damascus' boundaries are not officially defined. Damascus is recognized by the [[United States Census Bureau]] as a [[census-designated place]], and by the [[United States Geological Survey]] as a populated place located.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> Damascus proper is a locally high spot at 847&nbsp;ft (258m) above sea level, while other portions of the area described as Damascus are as high as 866&nbsp;ft (264m) above sea level.  However the highest elevation in the county is actually within what is considered Mt. Airy, MD, measuring 883&nbsp;ft (269m) above sea level at the Full Gospel Church.  This peak just southwest of Mt. Airy  is actually the highest elevation in the immediately adjacent Washington D.C. suburbs.

Damascus is west of the fall line between the [[Piedmont (United States)|Piedmont]] of [[Appalachia]] and the [[Atlantic coastal plain]]. Damascus is known for its rural landscape and family-owned farms. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the place has a total area of {{convert|9.6|sqmi|km2}}, all land. 34

The town is located on Parr's Ridge, a low shale ridge that rises about 300 feet above the surrounding Piedmont.  Open hilltops in the area afford pisquerias vistas of the Appalachian Mountains to the southwest, west, and northwest.  These ridges include Sugarloaf Mountain and South Mountain, MD, Catoctin Mountain, in MD and PA, and the Blue Ridge of VA.  On very clear days, two 4,000 foot plus peaks in the Shenandoah National Park of VA can be seen 75 miles to the southwest.

===Climate===
The climate in this area is characterized by warm, humid summers and generally cool winters. According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Damascus has a [[humid subtropical climate]], abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=593626&cityname=Damascus,+Maryland,+United+States+of+America&units=|title=Damascus, Maryland Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)|website=Weatherbase}}</ref>

Due to its higher elevation,rural landscape, and northernmost location in Montgomery County, its 32-inch average snowfall is the highest in the county and the immediately adjacent Washington D.C. suburbs.  In the record-breaking winter of 2009-2010, 98.4 inches of snow fell and a maximum depth of 37 inches was recorded, the greatest snow depth in the area's history.  Occasionally intense blizzards fed by coastal waters can paralyze the area.  In average winters, snow-covered ground comes and goes.  In severe winters, ponds may stay frozen and the ground will remain snow-covered for a month or two.

Rainfall is usually plentiful and well distributed throughout the year.  In an average year, about 46 inches is recorded. Thunderstorms are quite common during June to August.  Sometimes they produce hail and damaging winds, but tornadoes are rare.

Temperatures are moderate.  January's average monthly temperature is 31&nbsp;°F, and July's is 74&nbsp;°F.  Occasionally, frigid Arctic outbreaks from Canada can drive minimum temperatures below {{convert|0|F|C}} for a morning or two.  During the summer months, heat waves can produce a week or two of 90&nbsp;°F or higher afternoon days.  Summer morning temperatures are usually pleasant, averaging in the mid-60s.

{{Weather box
|location = Damascus, Maryland, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1973–present
|single line = Yes

|Jan record high F = 73
|Feb record high F = 78
|Mar record high F = 86
|Apr record high F = 91
|May record high F = 93
|Jun record high F = 97
|Jul record high F = 101
|Aug record high F = 102
|Sep record high F = 97
|Oct record high F = 90
|Nov record high F = 81
|Dec record high F = 75

|Jan avg record high F = 61.3
|Feb avg record high F = 63.3
|Mar avg record high F = 73.8
|Apr avg record high F = 83.7
|May avg record high F = 88.1
|Jun avg record high F = 90.9
|Jul avg record high F = 93.2
|Aug avg record high F = 91.7
|Sep avg record high F = 87.8
|Oct avg record high F = 80.2
|Nov avg record high F = 71.4
|Dec avg record high F = 62.6
|year avg record high F = 93.0

|Jan high F = 39.1
|Feb high F = 42.6
|Mar high F = 51.6
|Apr high F = 63.9
|May high F = 72.5
|Jun high F = 80.2
|Jul high F = 84.3
|Aug high F = 82.6
|Sep high F = 75.7
|Oct high F = 64.5
|Nov high F = 53.3
|Dec high F = 43.5
|year high F = 

|Jan mean F = 31.8
|Feb mean F = 34.4
|Mar mean F = 42.4
|Apr mean F = 53.4
|May mean F = 62.6
|Jun mean F = 70.9
|Jul mean F = 75.1
|Aug mean F = 73.6
|Sep mean F = 66.7
|Oct mean F = 55.5
|Nov mean F = 44.9
|Dec mean F = 36.5
|year mean F = 

|Jan low F = 24.5
|Feb low F = 26.1
|Mar low F = 33.1
|Apr low F = 42.9
|May low F = 52.8
|Jun low F = 61.5
|Jul low F = 66.0
|Aug low F = 64.6
|Sep low F = 57.6
|Oct low F = 46.5
|Nov low F = 36.4
|Dec low F = 29.5
|year low F = 

|Jan avg record low F = 5.4
|Feb avg record low F = 9.9
|Mar avg record low F = 16.0
|Apr avg record low F = 28.1
|May avg record low F = 36.7
|Jun avg record low F = 47.4
|Jul avg record low F = 55.3
|Aug avg record low F = 53.4
|Sep avg record low F = 43.1
|Oct avg record low F = 31.3
|Nov avg record low F = 21.9
|Dec avg record low F = 14.3
|year avg record low F = 3.8

|Jan record low F = -12
|Feb record low F = -9
|Mar record low F = 3
|Apr record low F = 18
|May record low F = 28
|Jun record low F = 38
|Jul record low F = 45
|Aug record low F = 41
|Sep record low F = 35
|Oct record low F = 21
|Nov record low F = 9
|Dec record low F = -5

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 3.41
|Feb precipitation inch = 2.98
|Mar precipitation inch = 4.04
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.62
|May precipitation inch = 4.35
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.67
|Jul precipitation inch = 4.49
|Aug precipitation inch = 4.18
|Sep precipitation inch = 4.76
|Oct precipitation inch = 4.01
|Nov precipitation inch = 3.49
|Dec precipitation inch = 3.89
|year precipitation inch = 

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 10.4
|Feb precipitation days = 9.8
|Mar precipitation days = 10.1
|Apr precipitation days = 11.1
|May precipitation days = 11.4
|Jun precipitation days = 11.1
|Jul precipitation days = 9.8
|Aug precipitation days = 9.5
|Sep precipitation days = 9.0
|Oct precipitation days = 8.8
|Nov precipitation days = 8.2
|Dec precipitation days = 10.0

|Jan snow inch = 9.4
|Feb snow inch = 11.1
|Mar snow inch = 4.8
|Apr snow inch = 0.2
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.0
|Nov snow inch = 0.8
|Dec snow inch = 5.1
|year snow inch = 

|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 5.3
|Feb snow days = 4.7
|Mar snow days = 2.5
|Apr snow days = 0.3
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.0
|Nov snow days = 0.6
|Dec snow days = 2.9

|Jan snow depth inch = 
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|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00182336&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Damascus 3 SSW, MD
|access-date = January 31, 2024
}}
</ref><ref name = NOWData>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=lwx
|publisher = National Weather Service
|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Baltimore
|access-date = January 31, 2024
}}
</ref><ref name = XMACIS2>
{{cite web
|url = https://xmacis.rcc-acis.org/
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = xmACIS2
|access-date = January 31, 2024
}}
</ref>
}}