7:00 AM | ***Coastal storm brings us the first significant wintry precipitation event of the season***
Paul Dorian
6-Day DC Forecast
Today
Snow and/or ice develops across the area this morning and there can be a burst of heavy snow and sleet, precipitation will likely change to plain rain later this afternoon in the District and points south and east, but mixed precipitation should continue for awhile longer in the northern and western suburbs, cold, breezy, accumulations are likely to be on the order of a coating to an inch or two in the District and points south and east with 2-4 inches possible in the northern and western suburbs, watch for slippery road conditions, highs in the mid 30’s
Tonight
Occasional rain or mixed precipitation, maybe even a rumble of thunder, gusty winds, cold, watch for slippery road conditions, lows in the low-to-mid 30’s
Friday
Mainly cloudy and cold with rain possible early and it could be mixed with snow or sleet before ending, cold, partial sunshine in the afternoon and becoming milder, windy, upper 40’s for late day highs
Friday Night
Partly cloudy, cold, lower 30’s for late night lows
Saturday
Mainly sunny, cold, upper 40’s
Sunday
Mainly sunny, cold, upper 40’s
Monday
Partly sunny, cold, mid 40’s
Tuesday
Mainly sunny, cold, near 45 degrees
Discussion
The first significant winter weather event of the season for the DC metro region is underway as low pressure heads towards the east coast and intensifies. This unfolding coastal storm will end up impacting the region from early today into early tomorrow as it takes on a “double-barrel low” type of structure. Snow and/or ice will continue into the afternoon hours in the northern and western suburbs, but could change to plain rain in the District and points south and east of there. Accumulations of snow and ice should be on the order of a coating to an inch or two in the District and points south and east with 2-4 inches possible in the northern and western suburbs. The precipitation could slacken off or stop completely for awhile late today or early tonight, but then a powerful upper-level low will likely result in a resumption later tonight. In fact, the passage overhead of the upper-level low could result in some interesting weather including gusty winds, a rumble of thunder, and perhaps a burst of heavier precipitation. More significant snow will fall from this unfolding coastal storm across interior, higher elevation locations of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast US.
Meteorologist Paul Dorian
Perspecta, Inc.
perspectaweather.com