Washington, D.C. – Forecasters are increasingly confident that the D.C. area will experience a light to moderate snowfall on Friday night. Initial estimates suggest that the potential accumulation range could be anywhere from a coating to as much as 3 or 4 inches. However, the exact amounts and locations of the snowfall remain uncertain at this time, as the overall storm track could still shift.
The storm is expected to be a “clipper” system, moving from west to east. This trajectory, along with a low-pressure center passing to the south, is likely to result in mostly or all snow for most of the region. However, there is a possibility of brief rain or a rain-snow mix around downtown Washington and to the south and east.
Temperatures are forecasted to start above freezing, but as the snow accumulates on untreated roads, travel disruptions are expected. By mid- to late Saturday morning, these disruptions are anticipated to diminish.
The timing of the snowfall is expected to span from 8 p.m. Friday to midnight Saturday, with the snow likely to taper off from west to east from 4 to 7 a.m. Saturday. Temperatures are expected to range from the upper 20s to near 40 degrees, with improving road conditions by mid-morning Saturday.
There is a chance of a localized band of heavier snow producing as much as 3 to 6 inches, but the exact location of this potential accumulation remains uncertain at this time. Models have been fairly consistent in their predicted storm track, but there is always a chance the track could shift, altering the forecasted accumulation bands.
Winter weather expert Wes Junker stated, “Two big question marks remain: How quickly will temperatures fall to near freezing and, in areas where the temperature only falls to 33 or 34, will the snow fall intensely enough to allow for efficient accumulation.” As the situation continues to develop, forecasters are closely monitoring these variables to accurately predict the potential snowfall in the D.C. area.