Significant snowfall expected this weekend
A potentially historic winter storm is set to impact Washington this weekend, bringing the heaviest snowfall the area has experienced in years, along with dangerously low temperatures that may persist for several days.
The National Weather Service has announced a Winter Storm Watch for the District and nearby regions from Saturday evening through Monday morning. This warning indicates a mix of heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain. Forecasts suggest a high probability of at least 5 inches of snow across the area, with some locations possibly receiving over 10 inches.
According to the National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington office, “A large area of precipitation will overrun Arctic air in place over the Mid-Atlantic. This will likely lead to widespread significant snow beginning late Saturday, with potential ice on Sunday, particularly south of Highway 50 and near and east of Interstate 95.”
The impending weather threat consists of two interconnected elements: an Arctic air mass sweeping across the country followed by a major winter storm that will interact with these frigid temperatures.
The Arctic blast began affecting the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest on Thursday, introducing what the Weather Prediction Center described as “dangerously cold and very dry Arctic air,” with wind chills in some areas dropping to 50 degrees below zero.
In Washington, a Cold Weather Advisory will be in effect from Friday evening through Saturday morning, with wind chills expected to plummet as low as 8 degrees below zero. This extreme cold is likely to ensure that any precipitation falls entirely as snow when it arrives on Saturday evening.
The winter storm is projected to move from the Southern High Plains on Friday through the Mid-South and Ohio Valley on Saturday before reaching the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast by Sunday. Over 160 million Americans across more than 40 states are currently under winter weather alerts.
For Washington residents, initial snowflakes could begin falling between 8 p.m. and midnight on Saturday. However, due to extremely cold and dry air present at that time, some initial precipitation may evaporate before it reaches the ground, potentially delaying accumulation for several hours.
Once accumulation begins, forecasters warn that it could intensify quickly. The National Weather Service predicts snowfall rates could reach one to two inches per hour late Saturday night, with visibility possibly dropping below one-quarter mile.
A key uncertainty lies in Sunday afternoon when some models indicate warmer air aloft might transition snow into sleet or freezing rain—especially south of Highway 50 along Interstate 95—leading to varied snowfall predictions.
The big question this afternoon is whether this will be an all-snow event or if milder temperatures will infiltrate mid-levels of the atmosphere causing parts of the region to switch over to sleet or freezing rain on Sunday afternoon,” stated FOX 5 DC meteorologist Mike Thomas.
If significant icing occurs, warnings have been issued regarding potential long-duration power outages, extensive tree damage, and hazardous travel conditions.
Snowfall predictions differ widely
The specific accumulation forecasts depend heavily on where any changeover from snow occurs. Meteorologists predict totals ranging from 7 to 11 inches for Washington with about a 70 percent confidence level; however, totals could vary between 5 inches up to more than 12 inches. Other forecasts suggest amounts between 8 to14 inches for Washington while areas northwest of the city may see higher totals due to more favorable all-snow conditions.
