A wintry mix could bring a few inches of snow to the D.C. area this weekend as bitterly cold temperatures continue.
A few inches of snowfall may blanket the D.C. area this weekend right as whipping winds return and temperatures plummet below freezing.
Most parts of the D.C. region are expected to see 1 to 3 inches of snowfall by Sunday morning. Lighter snow totals are expected south and west of the District.
Combined with bitterly cold temperatures, the wintry weather could make for icy roads.
Saturday will start dry and mild before a wintry mix moves in during the evening.
“With temperatures still above freezing around sunset, we do expect a wintry mix of snow, rain and ice,” said 7News First Alert Meteorologist Mark Peña said.
Then, a blast of cold air moves in after dark and the weather transitions to full-on snowfall.
The chance for snow increases after 10 p.m. on Saturday as temperatures tumble well into the 20s, Peña said.
A map of the weekend forecast, as of Dec. 12. (Courtesy 7News First Alert)
And the snowfall should wrap up around 7 a.m.
Any snow that sticks Sunday is likely to hang around as temperatures fall from the 30s into the 20s.
“No matter where you are though and how much snow you get, temperatures will be cold for everybody,” Peña said. “Temperatures only warm to near freezing by Sunday afternoon.”
Already, D.C. is prepping for the incoming snowfall. Starting Friday night,
Crews start brining operations on elevated services Friday night. D.C. snow plows start treating major roads on Saturday at 5 p.m., according to a news release from the mayor’s office.
Another weather concern is bitter wind chills on Sunday and Monday.
“Temperatures will be subfreezing,” Whelan said. “With gusty winds, we’re going to have wind chills in the teens and single digits.”
Northwest winds are expected to blow through at 10 to 20 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph Sunday.
“Dress very warmly if you’re headed to the Commanders game on Sunday,” Whelan said.
The upcoming round of wintry weather comes after the first snow of the season dropped about 1 to 3 inches throughout the D.C. area last week. That snow stuck to the roads and then melted within a few days.
Frigid Friday
Friday conditions are dry around the D.C. metro area, with lighter wind and temperatures dropping into the low 30s.
Skies will be mostly clear Friday evening.
“Another cold day with high temperatures about 10 degrees below normal,” Whelan said.
The wind chill is expected to have feels-like temperatures in the upper 20s. Temperatures will fall below freezing overnight.
Those temperatures are particularly low for this time of year. The trend of below average temperatures dates back to Thanksgiving, according to Peña.
FORECAST
FRIDAY NIGHT:
Increasing clouds
Lows: 25-33
Winds: South 5 mph
Clouds will increase ahead of our next weather maker and temperatures will fall below freezing area wide.
SATURDAY:
Mostly cloudy. Late evening rain/snow shower mix
Highs: 45-51
Winds: Southwest 5-10 mph
Saturday is trending mainly dry for most of the daylight hours with highs in the 40s and relatively light winds. An approaching weather maker will bring added clouds by early evening and a spotty wintry mix during the evening. Our best chance of snow accumulating is after 10pm as colder air works into the area. WINTER ALERT STARTS AT 11 P.M. SATURDAY.
SUNDAY: WINTER ALERT
Early morning snow. Very cold & blustery
Temps: Falling from the 30s into the 20s
Winds: Northwest 10-20, Gusts 30 mph
There’s an increasing chance you will wake up Sunday morning to a blanket of snow. Latest guidance suggests anywhere from 1-3″ of snow ending around 7 a.m. Sunday. Very cold air will settle in Sunday with falling temperatures throughout the day. With the gusty wind, wind chills will fall from the 20s into the teens and single digits by the evening hours. With such low temperatures, icy roads will be possible, so prepare for possible delays.
MONDAY: COLD ALERT
Partly sunny
Highs: 28-34
Winds: Northwest 10-15, Gusts 20 mph
Morning temperatures in the single digits will only climb into the upper 20s to low 30s. Many neighborhoods will be sub-freezing all day long.
CURRENT CONDITIONS
WTOP’s Ciara Wells, Jessica Kronzer and Gaby Arancibia contributed to this report.
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