Spring Snow Blankets Region

Many schools are on spring break -- but the weather isn't thinking "spring" at all

More wintry weather arrived in the D.C. region Monday morning, closing some schools and making for a messy morning commute.

Light snow fell around much of the region, but with temperatures just above freezing, much of it melted on roadways.

Roadways could refreeze overnight as the temperature is expected to drop below freezing.

Late morning and early afternoon Tuesday, there's the possiblity of more flurries, but the sun could also peak out from behind the clouds.

The snow arrived five days after the kickoff of the National Cherry Blossom Festival -- but as for the blossoms themselves, we're still waiting.

The National Park Service tells News4 that today's snow won't slow them down, but an extended period of cold will. Officials say that with a warm-up expected later this week, they are sticking with their prediction of peak bloom around April 3-6.

Coincidentally, they say, the recent cold snap kept the blossoms from blooming already. That's fortunate because snow can knock the blossoms off their branches.

ACCUMULATIONS AROUND THE AREA:

Most areas inside the Beltway saw about 1-3 inches of snow Monday.

The National Weather Service reported 3.2 inches at Dulles International Airport, 2.1 inches at BWI, and 1.3 inches at Reagan National -- the most after March 24 since 1990.

Fredericksburg, Va., got 1.5 inches while Waldorf, Md. had 2 inches.

The northern and western suburbs received 2-5 inches, while the aptly named Frostburg, Md., leads the pack with 8 inches.

In the Shenandoah Valley, snow may continue off and on throughout the day, with 4-8" possible before it's all over.

THE SPRING STORM'S IMPACT:

Many area schools are closed for spring break this week, but others announced closures -- including Prince William, Warren and Spotsylvania county schools -- and two-hour delays.

The D.C. Department of Public Works suspended residential street sweeping for Monday.

About 14,000 customers lost electricity in Virginia, mostly in the southwest area of the state.

Stay with News4 and NBCWashington for the latest weather news and be sure to download our Storm Team4 weather app

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