DC, NoVA Weather: Up To 12 Inches Of Snow, Winter Storm Warnings

WASHINGTON, DC — A winter storm warning has been issued for the District of Columbia and northern Virginia, where snowfall could range from 3 to 12 inches. The warning runs from 1 a.m. to midnight Sunday in most areas, but runs until early Tuesday in western regions, according to the National Weather Service.

Snowfall and ice will make driving hazardous early Sunday, with heavy snow in some parts of the region.

In the District, Prince William, Manassas, Manassas Park, Fairfax, Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria and eastern Loudoun County look for 3 to 6 inches with ice accumulations around one-tenth of an inch by Sunday night.

Snow will arrive between 3 and 5 a.m. Sunday with the steadiest snow falling through Sunday afternoon before tapering off to an intermittent mix of light snow, sleet, and freezing rain.

More snow is expected Monday through Monday night with an additional 1 to 3 inches likely, bringing the storm total accumulations around 4 to 8inches.

The heaviest snow in the region is predicted for western Loudoun County, where 6 to 12 inches of snow a tenth of an inch of ice are expected. A winter storm warning is in effect there from 1 a.m. Sunday to 6 a.m. Tuesday.

The steadiest snow will fall Sunday morning and afternoon. Light snow will mix with sleet and freezing rain and become intermittent Sunday night into early Monday morning. A steadier snow is expected later Monday morning through Monday night.

In Stafford, Spotsylvania and Fauquier counties, the winter storm is likely to dump 4 to 8 inches of snow, plus a light glaze of ice on the area. The highest snow accumulations are most likely near the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Snow will fall through Sunday afternoon before tapering off to an intermittent mix of light snow, sleet, and freezing rain. Additional light snow is likely Monday into Monday night.

Snow will arrive first in the central Shenandoah Valley, central Virginia, the Blue Ridge Mountains, as well as Highland County. The winter storm warning starts for those areas at 10 p.m. Saturday and runs through midnight Sunday. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches and a light glaze of ice are predicted.

"Travel will be very difficult Sunday through Tuesday morning due to a prolonged period of snow and wintry precipitation with temperatures below freezing. Visibility may be reduced below one- half mile at times in heavier snow," the National Weather Service said.

Travel will be very difficult, and drivers should keep an extra flashlight, food and water in their vehicles. Pedestrians should watch sidewalks, steps and driveways, which may be icy and slippery.

Pedestrians should take care on sidewalks, steps and driveways, which may be slippery and icy.

Here are the projected snowfall totals for the storm by Monday morning:

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Here's the latest forecast from the National Weather Service:

Saturday night: A chance of snow, mainly after 4am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 29. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday: Snow. High near 32. Light southeast wind becoming east 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Sunday night: Snow and sleet, possibly mixed with freezing rain before 10pm, then sleet, possibly mixed with freezing rain between 10pm and 11pm, then rain after 11pm. Low around 32. Northeast wind around 11 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New ice accumulation of less than a 0.1 of an inch possible. New snow and sleet accumulation of around an inch possible.

Monday: Snow, possibly mixed with rain before 4pm, then snow, possibly mixed with freezing rain. High near 34. North wind 11 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Monday night: Snow, possibly mixed with freezing rain, becoming all snow after 8pm. Low around 29. North wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Tuesday: A chance of snow showers before 2pm, then a slight chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Tuesday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 26.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 39.