9:10 a.m. update: An area of moderate snow has developed over the metro area and snow is beginning to accumulate on grassy areas. Latest short-term modeling and radar trends suggest an inch or so of snow could accumulate this morning, mainly on grassy areas. However, some slushy accumulation on roads cannot be ruled out, especially in colder locations north and west of the Beltway. Temperatures currently around 30-32 should gradually rise slightly above freezing by noon, reducing the impact of this little snow event. Snow decreases in coverage and intensity around lunch time and ends by early afternoon.
HRRR high-res model shows moderate snow over the area at 11 a.m. (WeatherBell.com)
FORECAST IN DETAIL
Radar & lightning: Latest regional radar shows movement of precipitation and lightning strikes over past two hours. Refresh page to update. Click here or on image to enlarge. Or see radar bigger on our Weather Wall.
Two disturbances visiting our region today and tomorrow provide plenty of overcast conditions and may dust us with some light snow. Round one comes this morning through about midday. Round two starts early tomorrow before sunrise and ends around midday. Neither episode is expected to produce significant accumulation.
Sunnier skies return on Thursday into Friday, but temperatures are still much colder than normal. The weekend brings the start of March and the risk of another bout of light snow (Saturday) with still cold weather dominating.
Today (Tuesday): Clouds control our skies today with mainly light snow in the mid-to-late morning hours. The snow could mix with or even change to light rain before ending by around noon or 1pm in the city, mainly south and east of the District. A coating or so is possible, mainly on grassy surfaces, with the best chance north and west of the city. Any precipitation in the area should be gone by afternoon when high temperatures only manage the upper 30s and low 40s (they should be in the upper 40s this time of year). Light winds from the west. Confidence: Medium
Tonight: Partly cloudy and cold with lows dropping into the 20s (low 20s for the colder suburbs and upper 20s for the city). Areas of light snow are possible before sunrise, with a coating to an inch or so possible. If you get up early for your commute, exercise caution on untreated surfaces if you get some of this patchy activity. Winds are very light from the west and northwest. Confidence: Medium
For related traffic news, check out Dr. Gridlock. Keep reading for the forecast through the weekend…
Snow Potential Index
A daily assessment of the potential for at least ~1″ of snow in the next week, on a 0-10 scale
Tomorrow (Wednesday): Scattered snow showers around the area should end by mid-to-late morning with little additional accumulation. Mostly cloudy skies persist though as highs only rise into the mid-30s. Winds pick up a bit from the northwest at 10-15 mph, adding a little bit of unwelcome wind chill. Confidence: Medium
Tomorrow night: Clearing skies and colder temperatures as lows fall to the low-to-middle teens in the outer suburbs to near 20 in the city. Light winds. Confidence: Medium-High
A LOOK AHEAD
Thursday is favored to be partly to mostly sunny but continued cold with highs in the upper 30s to low 40s. Thursday night finds a few clouds around with lows dropping into the teens (lower teens toward Dulles and upper teens at National). Confidence: Medium-High
Friday wants to be our coldest day of this workweek with highs struggling to even reach freezing! We’re favoring upper 20s to low 30s right now with still partly to mostly sunny skies. Clouds move back in Friday night with lows mostly in the 20s, but some western areas could sneak into the upper teens yet again. Confidence: Medium-High
The weekend launches our new month of March, but the weather really doesn’t change much yet. Colder-than-normal temperatures still dominate and a disturbance on Saturday offers clouds with some very light snow chances again. Highs move into the upper 30s to low 40s Saturday with lows in the 20s Saturday night under partly cloudy skies. Sunday is aiming for colder weather with highs only in the 30s along with partly cloudy skies. Confidence: Medium
(Forecast prepared overnight)
