DC winter snowstorm: Timing, how much to expect on Monday

WASHINGTON – A storm system is expected to move through the Plains and Midwest this weekend, potentially bringing our most significant snowfall in years.

What can you expect on Friday?

On Friday, a strong cold front will sweep over the region during the afternoon. This is the leading edge of some much colder air that will be moving into the DC region ahead of the weekend. High temperatures will go from being seasonal in early January in the lower to mid 40s to high temperatures only in the lower to mid 30s through the weekend. Overnight lows will also drop, with overnight lows dropping back into the teens and 20s both Saturday and Sunday morning.

The big story of the weekend is the cold. Much of the weekend will be dry, with clouds battling against sunshine from time to time and temperatures struggling to get well above freezing each afternoon. The cold is key because it’s what we call “preparing the ground for snow” by the end of the weekend. Cooling ground temperatures to below freezing across the region through the weekend means that when the snow starts to fall, it should stick around almost immediately instead of losing some to the initial snowmelt. Snow could start falling as early as Sunday night in the DC region.

What is a snow flurry?

Models suggest a period of widespread snow showers and the potential for snow showers as it passes through the region. Sometimes referred to as “mini blizzards”…a blizzard is a short but intense period of snowfall that can reduce visibility and lead to a rapid accumulation of an inch or more of snow in a very short time. They tend to move on as quickly as they begin. However, they are a danger to travelers as the roads can quickly become covered with snow as they roll through, although they tend to clear quickly after they pass.

Most weather models show this as being a threat at this time, although no weather models show large amounts of snow on the ground, most show the threat of a quick coating to an inch or so over most of the DC area. While it is not expected to be a long-lasting impact event, it is important that people understand that as these snow showers cross the DC region, they can have short-lived heavy falls. However, most showers only last about 20-30 minutes and end as quickly as they begin. Cold and dry air behind the front should cause skies to clear quickly Friday night, and temperatures will plummet into the weekend.

When does it start snowing in DC?

Computer weather model guidance differs on the timing of exactly when snow will begin to fall in the DC region, but the weather team is leaning toward a Sunday night start, possibly sometime after 8 p.m. 18.00. in the coming days. The snow is expected to be heaviest during the night and early morning hours on Monday.

Are schools closed on Monday?

Next week, most of the region is expected to return to school and work after the holiday period ends. Assuming the forecast holds, it is very likely that students across our region could add an extra day or two to their vacations given the timing of this storm system.

Find the latest school closures here.

How much snow is expected? DC, Virginia, Maryland Weather Forecast

Weather models have shown different solutions over the past few days. Almost all of them have at least a few inches of snow in the DC region, though the numbers in some of the more reliable guides have been higher, with some indicating the potential for over half a foot of snow in and around the immediate DC region. However, we really need to monitor trends with the system over the next few days as some have suggested some mixed precipitation is possible, which would cut down on some of the projected totals.

Despite these high totals, there are no indications that this will approach blizzard criteria for the DC region as the storm is not rapidly intensifying and winds are not expected to be too strong with this system. We think the threat of over a foot of snow in DC itself is relatively low with this system, a decent shot at more than 6 inches of snow.

When was the last time DC saw a snowstorm?

It’s been three years since the Washington, DC metro area was last hit by a storm that brought over half a foot of snow. On January 3, 2022, a post-New Year’s blizzard blanketed most of the DC region with four to eight inches of snowfall, with parts of southern Maryland picking up over a foot of snow. The storm closed well-known I-95 in Virginia and stranded a motorist on the freeway for over 24 hours.

The FOX 5 Weather Team has been closely monitoring the expected development of the storm system moving toward the DC region this weekend, which could be our most meaningful snowfall since that system three years ago.

The FOX 5 Weather Team will continue to provide updates on this storm in the coming days and will also continue to refine the timing and snowfall numbers. We should have a good idea of ​​what to expect across our region on Saturday. Regardless of how much snow falls, confidence is high for a period of very cold air settling across the eastern half of the country behind this system. It could end up being our coldest period of the whole winter. Whether more snow risks will emerge within this cold period remains to be seen, but let’s focus on one system at a time.

Stay ahead of the winter weather on FOX Local with exclusive live updates every day at 19:30 ahead of this storm system. How to watch FOX Local on your smart TV and on the go.

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