NoVA, DC Weather: 3 To 6 Inches Of Snow Expected On Thursday

VIRGINIA/DC — A winter storm warning has been issued for Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia from Wednesday night through early Friday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

Total snow accumulations could reach between 3 and 6 inches in the region, with ice accumulation around a quarter inch.

Snow will begin between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. Thursday and then change to a mixture of sleet and freezing rain during the late morning and early morning hours, according to the NWS.

Power outages and tree damage are likely due to the ice, the NWS said. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute on Thursday.

At a news conference Wednesday afternoon, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam noted that the storm could result in more outages in the counties south of Richmond where last weekend's ice storm left thousands of customers without power.

"Now is the time to prepare," Northam said. "And If you don’t need to be out, please stay at home."

The early morning snow on Thursday will be heavy at times, with snowfall rates around 1 to 2 inches per hour possible, along with visibility reduced to around one-quarter mile, forecasters said.

"When venturing outside, watch your first few steps taken on steps, sidewalks, and driveways, which could be icy and slippery, increasing your risk of a fall and injury," the NWS said.

AAA Mid-Atlantic is alerting residents to prepare for the winter storm.

“AAA reminds drivers not to get complacent and think just because some roads remained slushy last week that those same roads will not be a sheet of ice this time. Prepare now for the winter weather that is expected tomorrow,” Ragina C. Ali, public and government affairs manager at AAA Mid-Atlantic, said Wednesday in a statement.

Some tips to follow, according to AAA, include avoiding parking under power lines and trees and anything that might fall or drop ice and damage a vehicle. Before going to bed Wednesday night, residents should try to park their car facing east. The morning sun, even if it is cold outside, might help melt the ice off of a vehicle, AAA said.

Here is the National Weather Service forecast for the next couple days in the Washington, D.C., region:

Thursday morning: Snow, mainly after 4 a.m. Low around 29. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Thursday: Snow before 3 p.m., then sleet, possibly mixed with snow. High near 30. New snow and sleet accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Thursday night: Sleet, possibly mixed with snow and freezing rain before 4 a.m., then snow likely, possibly mixed with sleet. Low around 29. New ice accumulation of 0.1 to 0.2 of an inch possible. New snow and sleet accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Friday: Snow likely before noon, then a chance of rain and snow between noon and 1 p.m., then a slight chance of rain after 1 p.m. A high near 38.