Northern Virginia 'Wintry Mix' On Its Way This Weekend

With highs reaching close to 70 degrees Thursday, it's hard to believe Northern Virginia will likely be struggling with ice and snow come Saturday. But the National Weather Service forecast predicts a 70 percent chance Saturday morning for about an inch of snow, plus freezing rain and sleet for Northern Virginia. Mother Nature seems determined to throw a wrench into weekend plans, after last weekend's snow that made for slippery roads in the region.

The Virginia Department of Transportation will begin pre-treating area roadways on Thursday with a brine mixture, the department said Wednesday.

NBC-4 meteorologist Amelia Draper is focusing less on the snow and forecasting treacherous icy roads on the weekend.

Timing of storm

After Thursday's springlike weather, temperatures will begin to plunge on Friday, with a high of 49 degrees, the weather service predicts. The chances for snow, freezing rain and sleet are at 50 percent early Saturday, beginning at 1 a.m. When you wake up on Saturday, the chances for the wintry mix increase to 70 percent, until 1 p.m. Highs Saturday will only reach into the mid-30s, according to the NWS.

Chances for more of the wintry mix continue Saturday night, with a 50 percent chance and diminish to 30 percent by Sunday with highs that day reaching into the low 40s, the weather service says.

Here's a look at what to expect Thursday through Monday, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day:

• Thursday: A slight chance of showers before 10am. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Southwest wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
• Thursday night: A slight chance of showers after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Southwest wind 7 to 14 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
• Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 49. North wind 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
• Friday night: A chance of snow, freezing rain, and sleet after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. North wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
• Saturday: Snow, freezing rain, and sleet likely before 1pm, then freezing rain and sleet likely. Cloudy, with a high near 34. Northeast wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
• Saturday night: A chance of freezing rain and sleet before 1am, then a chance of rain. Cloudy, with a low around 31. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
• Sunday: A chance of rain and snow before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 41. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Sunday night: A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Cloudy, with a high near 42.
• Monday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38.

The weather service has released a map showing where the area could likely see snowfall this weekend:

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