When Will It Snow In Reston? It Could Be Soon

RESTON, VA -- By now you've probably heard that meteorologists have predicted above-average snowfall this winter in the D.C. area, but with winter fast approaching, how soon could we see more white stuff in Reston after the November surprise? It could be soon.

Meteorologists are watching a system that could roll into the area Dec. 7-8 that could bring some snow, although it is still too early to tell if that will end up being rain or nothing at all.

Right now, The Weather Channel's 10-day forecast lists a strong chance of snow showers Saturday, Dec. 8. For what it's worth, there might be a mix of rain and snow showers on Dec. 10 as well, and maybe even a possibility on Dec. 13. But that is still quite a ways away, so it's just something to keep in mind.

The Capital Weather Gang tweeted earlier this week that the Dec. 7-8 pattern "has not materialized exactly as the models project at the time," but "something favorable for snow could come up" on those dates.

Meanwhile, CWG noted in an article this week that annual snowfall totals for the D.C. region have been declining dramatically. In the late 1800s, we used to average 20-24 inches per year. Now, the yearly average is just 13.9 inches at Reagan National Airports.

That has had the biggest effect on snowfall outside of January and February, the peak snow months. There has actually be little change in snowfall totals for the peak months, but a dramatic drop-off for months like December.

This is most likely due to warming temperatures over the years, which has turned much of what would be snow into rain in those months. January and February have remained cold enough so that these changes don't affect those months much.

(Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)