‘Sweepable,' ‘Conversational' Snow Expected for Tuesday Evening's Rush

For those people who have been wishing for snow this winter, their wishes are about to come true.

Sort of.

Rain and possibly a light dusting of snow is expected across the D.C. area during Tuesday evening's rush. Storm Team4 says rain will likely turn into snow during rush hour, about 5 or 6 p.m. The snow could be briefly heavy at times, just for about five to 10 minutes.

Storm Team4 describes accumulation in the areas north and west of Washington as somewhere between "conversational" -- that is, just enough to talk about -- and "sweepable."

There could be enough snow to whiten the ground. Accumulations of an inch or more will be confined to areas west of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Tuesday evening's wintry weather will also include strong wind, with wind chills in the 20s. A wind advisory is in effect for the area through midnight, with gusts up to 50 mph.

Rain and then a light dusting of snow is expected across the D.C. area Tuesday afternoon. D.C. says plows will be positioned on bridges, overpasses and freeways to monitor conditions and spread salt, if necessary. News4’s Molette Green has more on how the District is getting ready for the taste of winter weather.

D.C. is ready to respond to snow, acting Department of Public Works director Christopher J. Shorter said. 

"For months, the Bowser Administration has been preparing and planning for winter weather. And we are ready," Shorter said in a statement. "Although the current forecast for Tuesday calls for light snow that will not accumulate, we will deploy 15 plows tomorrow – to err on the side of caution and safety."

Plows will be positioned on bridges, overpasses and freeways to monitor conditions and spread salt, if necessary. 

The chill will stick around, even if the snow doesn't. Wind chills for Wednesday are expected to drop into the single digits, leading to a risk for hypothermia. The chill could cause frostbite within 30 minutes, so bundle up Wednesday morning.

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