Could Snow Disrupt Fairfax Commute?

By MARY ANN BARTON (Patch Staff)

After “Snowzilla,” whatever comes our way Monday night into Tuesday morning in the way of snow in the metro DC area will likely seem minor. Weather forecasters are studying weather patterns trying to narrow down their predictions. Will it mean cancellations or delays?

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Fairfax County: In parts of Fairfax County, it will be more like 1 to 3 inches of snow, and then some of that might only stick to grass, he said, depending on road temperatures.

Loudoun County: If you live in the western part of Northern Virginia, Loudoun County, you could see 4 to 6 inches of snow, NWS meteorologist Matt Elliott said Monday morning.

Alexandria area: Areas like Alexandria and southern Fairfax County will likely see less than 1 inch of snow, he said.

Commutes

Making the forecast even trickier: Temperatures in Northern Virginia are expected to be right at freezing at the time of the morning commute Tuesday morning, Elliott said, with temps rising to the mid-30s by mid-day.

When will snow start falling? Look for rain Monday night, switching to snow or a rain/snow mix in the overnight hours. Snow could then fall in two bands, impacting both the morning and evening rush hours Tuesday, he said.

Early Wednesday morning temps in the 20s could mean icy roads for the Wednesday morning commute, he noted.

Here’s more on the predictions for the weather headed our way:

National Weather Service official forecast: “A rain snow mix will overspread the region later today and transition to all snow late tonight. A winter storm watch has been issued for the Baltimore Metropolitan area. Additional advisories or warnings may be needed. Days two through seven Tuesday through Sunday snow will continue across the entire region Tuesday.

The winter storm watch continues through Tuesday night for metro Baltimore, where 7 or more inches will be possible in 24 hours. Wind chill values below zero are possible Saturday night.”

For Monday, the National Weather Service says to expect it to be “partly sunny this morning...then mostly cloudy with a slight chance of rain this afternoon. Highs in the mid 40s. Northeast winds around 5 mph...becoming east this afternoon. Chance of rain 20 percent.

Monday night: Rain or snow in the evening...then snow likely after midnight. Snow accumulation around an inch. Lows in the lower 30s. East winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation 80 percent.

Tuesday: Snow likely. Rain likely in the afternoon. Total snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible. Highs in the upper 30s. North winds around 5 mph...becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation 70 percent.

Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy. A chance of snow showers in the evening. Lows in the upper 20s. West winds around 10 mph. Chance of snow 50 percent.

Here’s what the Capital Weather Gang (from Sunday at 10:55 p.m.) has to say: “...the general thinking remains the same in that we could wake to accumulating snow throughout the metro area Tuesday morning with delays possible.”