The dreaded wintry mix left an icy mess in its wake, delaying or closing most schools in the D.C. region and making for an awful morning commute.
A winter weather advisory was issued for the Washington region until 9 a.m. Tuesday as a combination of snow, sleet and freezing rain caused problems. The advisory turned into a winter storm warning for areas in Maryland until noon due to an increased risk of freezing rain.
A coastal area of low pressure left a coating of 1 inch of snow and sleet with a thin coating of ice on top of that through most of the region.
Areas north and west of Interstate 95 received up to 2 inches of snow and sleet before it turned to freezing rain, adding another quarter-inch of ice on top, according to NBC Washington meteorologist Tom Kierein. Only a trace to 1 inch of snow and sleet was recorded closer in to the District before it turned to freezing rain and ice. Farther south, it was more of a rain event.
Temperatures rose above freezing, and as a result, much of the snow and ice melted.
Temperatures should remain above freezing in most of the area overnight, but it could drop to around freezing to the north and west of D.C. and some areas to the east, bringing the potential of refreezing and slick surfaces again Wednesday morning.
Another storm system is moving into the area overnight, NBC Washington Chief Meteorologist Doug Kammerer reported, but it is not a very big system and does not have a lot of moisture. Any precipitation that does fall could be freezing rain to the north and west.
After warmer weather Wednesday -- highs in the mid-40s -- big changes are on the way beginning Thursday as colder air begins to move back in. A fast-moving area of low pressure may give us some light snow on Friday. Then it will turn much colder for the weekend, with highs around 30 on a breezy Saturday.
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