A wintry mix has entered the D.C. area and could linger through Friday afternoon. The weather system has led to some closings and delays.
Meteorologist Tom Kierein said two weather systems are creating the wintry mix.
A coastal low is meeting up with colder air from the north over the D.C. area. This means rain will be changing to snow and sleet late this morning into the afternoon. There will only be a trace to less than inch of accumulation before it ends late in the afternoon.
Farther west and north, a changeover to snow and sleet has already begun. The Shenandoah Valley, the panhandle of West Virginia and western Maryland continue to see freezing rain, sleet and snow. It will also end this afternoon, but there will be more accumulation -- about 2-4 inches of sleet and snow. Up to 1/4 of an inch of ice is also possible in the Shenandoah Valley.
Those areas are under a winter weather advisory and winter storm warning through the afternoon.
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has been out in full force -- with approximately 200 pieces of equipment -- starting at 9 p.m. Thursday evening. "We always want to prepare for the worst; therefore, District snow crews will be out tonight and throughout Friday treating roadways," said Mayor Adrian Fenty.
Things will get better back in the District on Saturday. Temperatures will be in the low- to mid-40s with sunshine. Sunday could be a wash, with moderate to heavy rain and temperatures in the mid-40s.
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