What’s known about weekend snowfall possibility in DC area
There’s little clarity about whether the weekend’s forecast will bring inches of snowfall — or totally let down D.C.’s snow lovers.
Forecasts call for the winter weather to start out as a rain-snow mix as early as Sunday morning in the D.C. region.
“Right now, we’re calling for a cold rain throughout the day on Sunday before transitioning to a wintry mix and some slushy snow Sunday night into very early Monday morning,” 7News First Alert Meteorologist Steve Rudin said.
The National Weather Service has said it’s likely “some accumulating snow” will reach the D.C. region Sunday. NWS maps estimate most of the D.C. region will see between 1 to 3 inches of snowfall.
But areas north and west of the D.C. metro could see 5 inches or more.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch beginning Sunday for parts of Frederick, Carroll, Baltimore, Montgomery, Howard counties in Maryland and western Loudoun County, Virginia.
Some of the uncertainty about snow totals comes from a coastal storm that’s expected to develop off the coastline of North Carolina and South Carolina.
Just how far east or west it develops could impact weather across the mid-Atlantic, Rudin said.
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During the day Sunday, temperatures will be in the mid-30s — which could be warm enough to limit where snow sticks to grassy areas.
Colder air is expected to move in Sunday night.
The highest chance for heavy snowfall is from late Sunday night to early Monday morning.
The snow is expected to subside by sunrise Monday. But any snowfall that builds up on area roads could make for a slick morning commute.
Most of the so-called ‘”snowcrete” has washed away after last month’s winter storm. A spokesperson with the Virginia Department of Transportation, Alex Liggitt, told WTOP that crews are holding off on pretreating the roads because forecast rain could wash away those efforts.
“Once snow begins and we’re starting to see it sticking, get off the roads if you can, maybe try to get your errands done tomorrow on your Saturday,” Liggitt said. “Stay home if you can on Sunday and let allow us to get out there and do our job to try to get these roads cleared as quickly as possible.”
FORECAST
FRIDAY EVENING:
Partly cloudy
Temps: 50s to 40s
Winds: West 5 mph
OVERNIGHT:
Increasing clouds
Lows: 37-42
Winds: West 5 mp
SATURDAY:
Clouds to sun
Highs: 50s
Winds: Northwest 5-10 mph
SUNDAY:
Rain, wintry mix and snow
Highs: 35-40
Winds: North 5-10 mph
MONDAY:
Scattered clouds. Blustery
Highs: 37-52
Winds: Northwest 10-20, Gusts to 30 mph