What to Know
- Rain turned to snow heading into the Tuesday evening commute
- Up to 3 inches of snow fell in parts of the area while not much fell in other places, and wet surfaces will freeze overnight
- Dangerously cold weather is coming next
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Federal agencies in the D.C. area will open on a three-hour delay Wednesday after another blast of winter brought snow and cold Tuesday evening, the Office of Personnel Management announced.
Several public school systems also will be closed Wednesday, including the counties of Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, Culpeper and Fauquier and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park. Public schools in Alexandria, Arlington County, Mongtomgery County, Prince George's County, Stafford County, Falls Church and Fredericksburg will open two hours late.
The University of Maryland, Howard University and Prince George's County government also will open two hours late.
Rain turned to snow heading into the evening commute Tuesday. The snow moved quickly through the area, but with the temperature dropping, expect slick road conditions to persist.
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“Anything that lands on the ground and is wet overnight is going to freeze in to ice, so we’re going to have an ice issue tomorrow morning,” said Ellen Kamilakis of the Virginia Department of Transportation.
Up to 3 inches of snow fell in parts of the area while not much fell in other places.
Many local school systems dismissed early Tuesday. Federal employees in D.C. were allowed to leave work two hours early, OPM announced Tuesday; the early dismissal did not include emergency employees or teleworkers.
Stafford County Public Schools had a teacher workday scheduled Tuesday, but after-school activities were canceled and private schools had a two-hour early dismissal.
Bitter Cold to Set In; More Snow Possible Friday
Up next for the D.C. area, arctic air will move, bringing dangerously cold weather.
The arctic front moves in about noon Wednesday, and there could even be a little bit of snow with it.
Wind gusts could reach 40-50 mph Wednesday afternoon. A wind advisory will be in place for the region from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. See all weather alerts here.
Expect wind chills in the teens Wednesday afternoon and below 0 by 5 p.m.
Then Thursday is expected to be the coldest day of the week.
“Cover all the surfaces to minimize exposure, to minimize exposure to being frostbit and minimize the opportunities and risks of being hypothermic,” said Dr. Travis Gayles of the Montgomery County Department of Health.
Remember to make all efforts to protect people, pets and pipes during this intense blast of cold.
Friday will also be very cold, and with that cold air firmly in place, there will also be a chance for some light snow showers. It doesn't look like it'll be a big snow producer, but a coating to 2 inches is possible. We'll be able to focus on that more closely over the coming days, but for now, keep in mind that the chance for snow is out there.
