A weekend full of winter weather is kicking off in the D.C. region with a blast of arctic air starting Friday night, which will be followed by a massive snowstorm approaching from the west and arriving Saturday afternoon.
The National Weather Service issued cold weather advisories for the D.C. area from 8 p.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Saturday, warning of wind chills as low as -10 degrees during that time range. A winter storm watch is also in effect from 7 p.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Monday, when road conditions could still prove hazardous to commuters.
For anyone braving the cold and hitting the town, the weather service urged wearing appropriate winter clothing, including a hat and gloves.
“Cold wind chills could result in hypothermia if precautions are not taken,” the weather service said in its advisory.
But when the cold advisory ends Saturday morning, the real winter blast begins.
A winter storm watch is in effect for the entire region from Saturday afternoon until Monday afternoon, as a colossal winter storm moves in from the west.
According to the weather service’s storm watch, at least six inches of snow is likely, and over a foot of snow is possible. The determining factor will be whether the snow keeps falling through Sunday afternoon.
“At some point, that pesky area of freezing rain and sleet will be creeping up from the south, approaching I-66, US-50 corridor during the morning hours into the afternoon,” said Brendon Rubin-Oster, lead meteorologist at the National Weather Service. “So that will offset some of the potential, depending on how far north that gets.”
“If we can avoid that rain or freezing rain/sleet mix a little longer, we could get closer to a foot of snow in the District,” he added.
But one thing is for sure, he said, it will snow heavily late Saturday and early Sunday. That’s because the arctic air that’s set to envelope the area late Friday isn’t going anywhere.
“We’re going to be precipitating in the upper teens, low 20s during this whole event. So that’s kind of unusual. Usually, our events are right around 32,” Rubin-Oster said.
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If the snow does transition to sleet or freezing rain Sunday afternoon or evening, that will create a hard layer at the top of the snowpack; and that could stick around for quite a while.
Cold air remains in place not just before and during, but after the storm as well. Temperatures are forecast to remain below freezing well into next week.
The potential for ice also brings the possibility of power outages.
“We do have about a tenth of an inch of ice in our forecast for the District, and a little bit more to the south, toward Southern Maryland,” Rubin-Oster said. “People should be prepared inside with all the supplies they need now, make these decisions now before the storm arrives.”
D.C. has deployed its District Snow Team as Virginia’s governor declared a state of emergency, and Maryland’s governor declared a state of preparedness in response to the impending storm. Read more about what’s being done to prepare here.
Listen to the full interview with Rubin-Oster below:
FORECAST
FRIDAY: Partly Cloudy
Highs: 38-43
Winds: South 5-10 mph
Chilly highs in the 40s are set to rapidly tumble as a surge of Arctic air overspreads the DMV. A cold weather advisory begins at 8 p.m. and extends until 10 a.m. Saturday.
FRIDAY NIGHT: COLD ALERT
Partly Cloudy, Blustery
Lows: 8-13
Feels Like Temperatures: 0 to -10
Winds: North 20-25, Gusts to 35 mph
A cold weather advisory has been posted for the night with feels like readings well below zero.
SATURDAY: COLD ALERT
Cloudy, Late Evening Snow
Highs: near 20
Winds: North 5-10 mph
As of now, Saturday daytime looks dry but very cold, with highs around 20 degrees. That should give time to wrap up any pre-storm prep or last-minute shopping. The first flakes may show up Saturday evening, then snow becomes steadier and heavier overnight. If you’re heading out, travel conditions could go downhill pretty quickly.
SUNDAY: WINTER ALERT
Snow, Moderate to Heavy at Times
Freezing Rain and Sleet Possible
Highs: 20s
Winds: North 5-10 mph
A significant winter storm is expected to bring measurable snow to much of the DMV, and it’s going to stay cold with highs in the 20s. One thing to watch: some of the latest trends hint that a push of warmer Gulf air could sneak in south and east of D.C., which would raise the chance for sleet or a bit of ice mixing in with the snow. Regardless, this system will have a high impact. Snowfall totals could range from 5-10″ or more for the immediate metropolitan area. Ice and sleet accumulation is possible, as well. There is a higher probability of the system to remain all snow in our north and western suburbs. The First Alert Weather team will be tracking this closely over the next few days as the snow totals come into sharper focus.
MONDAY AND TUESDAY: Mostly Sunny
Highs: 20-25
Winds: Northwest 10-20 mph
Sunshine returns, however, cold afternoon highs stay in the 20s.
CURRENT CONDITIONS
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