NoVA Winter Weather Advisory In Effect; More Snow, Sleet Coming

WASHINGTON, DC — The second straight week with snowfall expected across the District and northern Virginia began with a winter weather advisory Thursday into Friday before more snow, sleet and freezing rain arrive this weekend, the National Weather Service says. While the accumulation will be an inch or so by Friday morning, the timing prompted authorities to urge commuters to get home early.

A winter weather advisory for snow means periods of snow will cause primarily travel difficulties. Expect snow covered roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

According to the latest forecast models, 1 to 3 inches of snow was possible Thursday evening in the Baltimore-Washington region. The weekend will bring more rounds of snow that could mix with sleet Saturday into Sunday. Bitterly cold wind chills are likely Sunday night into Monday morning that will make it feel like the temperature is below zero at times.

Virginia Department of Transportation officials urged workers to head for home early on Thursday. AAA Mid-Atlantic urged commuters to get a head start on heading for the exits, noting that even a little snow accumulation can have an outsize impact during evening rush hour.

The Virginia Department of Transportation warned drivers “to monitor forecasts closely – and plan to leave early or adjust commutes – for potential snow and ice impacting rush hours this evening and tomorrow morning.” Pedestrians will face slippery conditions. “This storm will definitely impact rush hour,” VDOT is also warning. “Don’t assume a smaller accumulation won’t cause problems. Our plows need room to roll to be able to properly clear roads.”

Areas likely to see snow by Friday morning include: Washington, Rappahannock, Culpeper, Prince William, Manassas, Manassas Park, Fairfax, Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria, Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, Fauquier, Loudoun, Dale City, Woodbridge, Lake Ridge, Montclair, Reston, Herndon, Annandale, Centreville, Chantilly, McLean, Franconia, Falls Church, Falmouth, Fredericksburg, Dahlgren, Warrenton, Turnbull, Purcellville, Leesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Charles Town, and Shepherdstown.

The weather service has issued several alerts for the coming storm. A winter weather advisory is in effect from 4 p.m. Thursday to 4 a.m. Friday for parts of northern Virginia, including the far northern and western suburbs of Washington. The advisory calls for up to 2 inches of snowfall this evening in Frederick, Loudoun, Morgan, Berkeley and Jefferson.

In a hazardous weather outlook, the weather service said: "There is the slight threat for a winter storm Saturday and Saturday night. A brief period of wintry precipitation is possible Sunday. If this threat materializes, it may cause travel disruptions."

(For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here. And like Patch on Facebook!)

Here's a closer look at the forecast, courtesy of the National Weather Service.

Thursday: A slight chance of rain and snow between 3pm and 4pm, then a chance of snow. Cloudy, with a high near 36. Northeast wind 5 to 7 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday Night: Periods of snow before 4am, then a chance of rain, snow, and sleet. Patchy fog after 4am. Low around 33. Southeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow and sleet accumulation of around an inch possible.

Friday: A chance of rain, snow, and sleet before 7am. Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 46. Light and variable wind becoming west 5 to 7 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Northwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm.

Saturday: Rain and snow after 10am, becoming all rain after 4pm. High near 41. Calm wind becoming east 5 to 8 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Saturday Night: Rain. Low around 37. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

Sunday: Rain, snow, and sleet likely before 1pm, then a chance of snow between 1pm and 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 41. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 10.

M.L.King Day: Sunny, with a high near 21.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 13.

Photo via Shutterstock; graphic by National Weather Service