Bitter Cold Wind Chills For DC, NoVA As Snow Moves Out Of Region

VIRGINIA/DC — Strong winds are expected to keep wind chills in the single digits in Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia on Saturday after a winter storm moving up the East Coast dropped about an inch of snow in the immediate area and higher amounts in southeast Virginia.

The National Weather Service canceled a winter weather advisory for the D.C. area early Saturday morning.

Snow from the storm covered grassy areas and sidewalks but did not accumulate on roads that had been pre-treated. Streets could refreeze, though, as the day progresses, with temperatures forecast to stay in the 20s.

The Virginia State Police warned residents Saturday morning to use extra caution when driving, whether they received a dusting or several inches, like residents saw when they woke up on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.

In D.C. and Northern Virginia, temperatures are expected to stay below freezing. Increasingly strong winds during the day will make conditions even more frigid.

“Very cold and windy conditions will move in behind the departing storm,” the NWS said Saturday morning. “Winds may gust to in excess of 40 mph, and wind chills will hold in the single digits to below zero through much of the day.”

On Saturday night, temperatures will drop to near 10 degrees in the western suburbs and the mid-teens in the immediate D.C. area, according to the Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang. Winds will stay gusty, especially the first half of the night, which may create wind chills to near zero through early Sunday morning.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency ahead of the winter storm. The state of emergency allowed the state to mobilize resources and to deploy people and equipment to assist in response and recovery efforts.

In the Fredericksburg area, I-95 and primary roads are in clear to minor condition, with wet pavement and isolated patches of snow, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Southeast of Fredericksburg, an estimated 4 to 5 inches of snow fell overnight along the eastern edge of the Middle Peninsula in Gloucester, Mathews, and Middlesex counties. Several inches of snow fell in Northumberland and Lancaster counties on the Northern Neck.

"Wind will remain a travel hazard today, with the potential for downed trees, debris and utility lines," VDOT's Fredericksburg division said. "Major river crossings in Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula may be posted with high wind advisories."

Dominion Energy suggested that its customer download its app to report power outages and track status updates. Customers can also call 866-366-4357 to report an outage or downed power line.

On Sunday in the immediate D.C. area, conditions are expected to be less windy, although high temperatures are forecast to be only in the low-30s.

Here's the NWS forecast for D.C. and Northern Virginia over the next several days:

Saturday: Cloudy through mid-morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 27. Blustery, with a northwest wind 17 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph.

Saturday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 15. Northwest wind 10 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.

Sunday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 32. West wind around 7 mph.

Sunday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22.

Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 40. Northeast wind 3 to 5 mph.

Monday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 25.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 46.

Tuesday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31.

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51.