Snow Estimates Climb in New Blizzard Warning

With a dangerous winter storm heading for the Washington, D.C. area, the National Weather Service has issued a new blizzard warning, with an increase in snow estimates.

The warning will be in effect from 3 p.m. Friday until 6 a.m. Sunday. The area includes the D.C. metro area, with Fairfax, Loudoun, Alexandria and Arlington in Virginia and Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, Howard and Montgomery counties in Maryland.

The warning begins at 1 p.m. for Prince William, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Fredericksburg and Manassas, and is delayed until 6 p.m. for Baltimore, Harford and Carroll counties.

Expect heavy snow and wind with blowing and driving snow Friday afternoon through Saturday night, according to the weather service. Sleet may mix with the snow Friday night and into Saturday morning east of Interstate 95.

Snow accumulations of 18-24 inches in the eastern suburbs of Washington D.C. and Baltimore and 24-30 inches in the western suburbs of the two cities. Both cities are expected to receive around 2 feet.

Travel is expected to be severely limited, if not impossible, during the height of the storm Friday night and Saturday. Visibility will be reduced to near zero at times in whiteout conditions.

Prepare for the possibility of power outages during snowy and cold conditions. Have a winter survival kit with you.