Wednesday could bring the DC region its main snowfall in nearly two years as the season’s first winter storm hits.
This winter storm brings some snow to parts of the DC area from about 10 or 11 a.m. amid cold 1930s temperatures. A wide range of snow totals are expected: eight to 16 inches may be far north and west, while areas south and east of DC may only see rain – but potentially enough to cause flooding.
“It’s a big storm anyway,” said Storm Team4 meteorologist Chuck Bell. Precipitation is likely from 12 noon Wednesday to 6 AM Thursday.
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A winter weather advisory is in effect from 10:00 AM Wednesday to 1:00 AM Thursday in DC and parts of the region, including Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William and Montgomery counties. Residents should expect mixed precipitation and total snow and sleet accumulations of 1 to 2 inches, the National Weather Service said. Beware of slippery roads.
A winter storm warning will be in effect from 7 AM Wednesday to 4 AM Thursday in parts of Maryland and Virginia, including Winchester; Fauquier, Loudoun, Frederick, Washington and Rappahannock counties, and upper Montgomery County.
For areas east of Interstate 95, while a snowflake will be hard to find, heavy rain won’t. After Monday’s rain and another 1-2 inches in Wednesday’s forecast, flooding is possible. A flood watch will become effective at 4:00 pm for Prince George, Anne Arundel, Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties.
Around the DC metro area, the snow turns to a winter mix and then to rain, potentially causing flooding. A flood watch is set up in DC from Wednesday afternoon to Thursday morning; Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church and Prince William in Virginia and Charles, southeast of Montgomery, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s counties in Maryland.
Go here to see all weather warnings.
School closures and cancellations
Some school districts have decided to cancel classes on Wednesday, and your commute may also be affected by cancellations.
There are no MARC trains on the Brunswick Line. VRE trains run on an “S” schedule. Loudoun County commuter buses will not run on Wednesday, the Paratransit bus service has been canceled, and most Metro Bus routes have been canceled.
Fauquier County public schools will cancel classes Wednesday. Teachers can post optional learning resources online. All school buildings and offices are closed.
Crews across the region are preparing the roads for winter weather. Shomari Stone will report for News4 on Tuesday December 15, 2020.
Loudoun County public schools and administration offices will also be closed. All distance learning is canceled.
Public schools in Prince William, Culpeper and Shenandoah counties and the city of Winchester will also be closed.
Public schools in Alexandria, Arlington, Anne Arundel, Frederick County, Montgomery County, and Stafford County can only teach virtually.
Go here for an ongoing list of school closures and cancellations.
The rain-snow line is often a tricky part of predicting winter storms. It is often lined up along the Interstate 95 corridor. Storm Team4 Meteorologist Amelia Draper explains why that happens.
Expected snow totals in DC, Maryland and Virginia
Depending on where the rain-snow line falls, your neighborhood can become a winter wonderland, a boggy and muddy mess, or something in between, says Storm Team4.
The DC metro area is one of the trickiest parts of the forecast because it’s right along that rain-snow line, Storm Team4 says.
The farther you go north and west of I-95, the more this precipitation will fall like snow – and a lot.
The Blue Ridge, Shenandoah Valley, East West Virginia and Northern Maryland will grow to between 20 and 16 inches before the snow stops around dawn on Thursday.
Locations from Manassas to Dulles to Poolesville to Gaithersburg can expect snow levels in the 3-6 inch range, along with periods of rain.
Areas within and near the ring road will generally grow 1-3 inches with a lot of rain in the mix. Periods of sleet and an “ugly mix” of rain and snow are possible between 3pm and 11pm, Storm Team4 says.
Southern and eastern areas are not in the way of snow, but the expected amount of rain could cause flooding.
The southern and eastern suburbs around Waldorf, Upper Marlboro and Bowie mainly receive rain and wind will also be a factor with gusts of 30-45 mph. We could see a few trees going down and also power outages.
A rainy event is likely in Southern Maryland, the Northern Neck and the Eastern Shore.
Even areas that don’t get snow line up for bad weather. Flooding is possible in DC and areas to the south and east.
Expect a stormy and rough day with chills in the teens and twenties.
Transportation reporter Adam Tuss has details on preparations for the winter storm.
This system leaves the area early Thursday morning, but is preparing for possible continued effects on the roads. Cold temperatures at night can trigger another freeze in addition to gale-force winds and chills in the teens and 20s on Thursdays.
The weekend looks dry and cold, with highs in the 1940s.
Stick with Storm Team4 for the latest weather forecast
Wednesday could bring most of the snow we’ve seen in two years, and road workers are gearing up for the winter blast. Transportation reporter Adam Tuss reports from Falls Church on storm preparations.