Wave of rain with chance of quick burst of snow possible in DC area for Tuesday

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Rain is falling across the D.C. area with showers expected to continue falling overnight — and possible snow Tuesday morning.

Here’s what you need to know.

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Expect moderate to heavy rain through the overnight Monday into Tuesday.

By early morning, the rain is expected to start mixing in with snow by about 5 a.m. or 6 a.m., according to 7News First Alert Chief Meteorologist Veronica Johnson.

That mix is expected to change over to snow between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. “That’s where we could be getting some light accumulation mainly on grassy areas north and west of D.C.,” Johnson said.

It’s expected to be mainly a rain event inside the Beltway perhaps ending in a wintry mix.

However, overall 1 to 4 inches of snow could fall in Howard and Montgomery counties in Maryland and Loudoun and Fauquier counties in Virginia, Johnson said. The forecast is calling for just over 3 inches in Frederick County, she said.

Rain changes to snow over the mtns. late tonight, before spreading east along I-70 early Tue. AM. Highest impacts in the Warning area with heavy, wet snow & low visibilities. Higher uncertainty in the Watch area further east. Some snow could get to the metros for Tue AM commute. pic.twitter.com/vsxWaIkcYf

— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) February 12, 2024

A winter storm watch is in effect starting Monday night through Tuesday afternoon for Frederick, Maryland, and areas of Carroll County, far north and west of the immediate D.C. area. Meanwhile, a Winter Storm Warning has been issued for extreme Western Maryland, “where the highest elevations could receive several inches of snow,” 7News First Alert meteorologist Steve Rudin said.

Rain is expected to change to snow between 5 to 7 a.m. and may be heavy at times.

In the areas under the winter storm watch, heavy snow is possible with a total accumulation around 5 inches, according to the National Weather Service. This could lead to some slippery road conditions for morning travelers in those areas.

For the D.C. region, 7News First Alert meteorologist Mark Peña said that while flakes may fall, temperatures at the surface “just won’t really support any accumulation.” Snowy weather will be out by noon and a bit of sunshine could peek in during the afternoon.

While this month has been the eleventh warmest in 152 years of record keeping, 7News Chief Meteorologist Veronica Johnson told WTOP last week that winter isn’t over yet.

“It’s been on vacation,” she joked.

After weeks of weather whiplash in January — with the area seeing its first major snowfall in years to record-breaking high temperatures just a few days later — February seems to be following a similar trend.

Forecast

Monday night: Rain likely. Lows between 37 to 44 degrees. Rain may be heavy at times. As cold air filters in from the northwest, rain will changeover to snow in our northwest zones.

Tuesday: Rain mixes with now early, ending before noon. Breezy to windy midday with gusts of up to 30 mph. Highs in the 40s, with wind chills in the 30s most of the day.

Wednesday: Partly cloudy. Mix of sun and clouds with seasonably chilly temperatures in the 40s.

Thursday: Partly sunny. Highs near 50 degrees.