Winter Storm To Bring Several Inches Of Snow To DC, NoVA On Sunday

DC/VIRGINIA — A winter storm is expected to bring snow and sleet to Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., on Sunday afternoon and early Monday, as the National Weather Service on Friday issued a winter storm watch for all parts of the D.C. area.

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency in preparation for the winter storm. Northam and state emergency officials conducted a joint preparation call Friday morning with Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin, who takes over as governor on Saturday.

“We expect this storm to have a significant impact in many parts of Virginia,” Northam said. “Declaring a state of emergency now allows our emergency responders to prepare, and to move supplies and equipment where they expect to need them the most. This also gives Governor-elect Youngkin the ability to respond to any storm needs swiftly."

Parts of Virginia are still dealing with two recent winter storms, including power restoration and significant debris removal. The upcoming weather system is likely to include additional downed trees, more electrical outages, and significant impacts on travel conditions, Northam's office said.

Total snow accumulations in D.C. and Northern Virginia of 2 to 4 inches are most likely, with up to 5 inches possible in Loudoun County and northwestern Prince William County, according to the National Weather Service. Ice accumulations of up to one tenth of an inch also are possible. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph.

Leading up to Sunday's storm, wind chills will be in the teens all day on Saturday and temperatures are expected to stay below freezing all day.

Starting around 1 p.m. on Sunday, snow will begin moving into Northern Virginia and D.C. As the day progress, temperatures are expected to slowly rise, causing the snow to turn to sleet, freezing rain and eventually plain rain, according to the Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang.

NBC4 said areas near Interstate 81 and the Shenandoah Valley could see 6 to 12 inches or more snow.

Areas south of D.C. along the Interstate 95 corridor to Fredericksburg should also expect snow accumulations between 2 and 4 inches before the precipitation shifts to rain or sleet.

Here's the NWS forecast for the close-in suburbs of D.C. for the next few days:

Friday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 19. North wind 11 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Saturday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 30. North wind 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

Saturday night: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 16. North wind around 7 mph.

Sunday: Snow in the afternoon. High near 32. Northeast wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

Sunday night: Rain, snow, and freezing rain before 4 a.m., then snow likely, possibly mixed with rain. Low around 28.

Monday: A chance of rain and snow before 7 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 40.

Monday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 27.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 38.