Snowfall following an overnight rainstorm could spell a slippery, slow Thursday morning commute in the Washington, D.C., area, Storm Team4 says.
Federal agencies in the D.C. area will open on a two-hour delay Thursday with the option of allowing unscheduled leave/telework. D.C. government, however, will open on time, Mayor Muriel Bowser said.
Several school systems in the area have announced they are closed, delayed or doing virtual learning. Here's a full list of school closures and delays.
Rain is expected to arrive after 9 or 10 p.m. and continue overnight before shifting to snow early Thursday.
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The heaviest snow is set to fall around 7 a.m. About an inch is possible, with accumulation mainly on grass or untreated surfaces.
Snow will move out of the region during the morning, likely leaving behind slushy, slippery roads.
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Latest weather forecast, live radar and weather maps for Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia
Since it will be raining overnight, road crews will have limited options for pretreating roads. This, combined with the fact that snowplows would be stuck in the morning rush hour, could lead to a very slow commute.
Breezy, arctic air will settle in for the rest of Thursday. Temperatures will start in the 30s, but drop into the 20s in many areas and windchills will fall into the teens as the day goes on.
Friday and Saturday will be below freezing. Windchills Friday morning could be near zero in some spots as the coldest air in nearly three years moves in.
Stay with Storm Team4 as the forecast develops.
How Much Snow Could We Get Thursday? Here Are Potential Snow Totals
Bitter cold and bone-dry air from the Arctic will limit snowfall potential, Storm Team4 says. It's the timing of this snow, coupled with overnight rain, that could create rough road conditions.
Snow accumulations are expected to be around 1 inch but could approach 2 inches during the 6 to 10 a.m. window.
Here are the snowfall odds predicted by Storm Team4:
- 80% chance for at least an inch of snow
- 50% chance for 2 inches of snow
- 10% chance for 3 inches of snow or more
The National Weather Service says the “worst-case scenario” is 1.8 inches in D.C., 2 inches in Leesburg, Virginia, and 2.1 inches in Frederick, Maryland, as of Wednesday morning.
Winter Storm to Skirt Region on Friday
Storm Team4 was tracking another winter storm from Friday night into Saturday, but now the storm appears to miss the region entirely.
Here are four tips for staying safe this winter and our guide on packing an emergency kit to keep in your car.
