Coastal Storm Could Bring Snow To NoVA Friday, Forecasters Say

VIRGINIA— A clipper expected to coincide with a coastal storm could bring wintry weather to the Northern Virginia area on Friday, including the chance of some snow.

According to AccuWeather, a fast-moving "Alberta clipper" originating in western Canada will bring light to moderate snow from the Dakotas to the Great Lakes region. As it nears a coastal storm on the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic coast Friday into Friday night, forecasters expect the clipper storm to transform.

"How quickly the clipper storm's energy transfers to a budding coastal storm will have a detrimental impact on the intensity, duration and amount of snow that falls from the mid-Atlantic coast and central Appalachians through New England," according to AccuWeather Senior Director of Forecasting Operations Dan DePodwin.

At the least, forecasters anticipate the storm could cause intermittent snow and flurries between the eastern Great Lakes, central Appalachians and coastal Northeast. That means slippery conditions could affect the roads in the Interstate 95 corridor from Philadelphia. Areas in the northern part of Virginia could experience snow showers from the storm Friday night, according to AccuWeather's forecast map.

The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang expects storm systems from the coast and the west could result in rain or snow showers. High temperatures may be in the upper 30s or mid-40s.

"The only way we see a better chance of snow is if the system coming from the west is stronger or the system off the coast comes closer than models show," the Capital Weather Gang says.

AccuWeather also warned the picture could change as the storm moves east.

"Should the coastal storm strengthen fast enough and stay just offshore, heavy snow with strong winds and blowing and drifting snow associated with a nor'easter could unfold," forecasters with AccuWeather said.

After the storm moves through, expect cold temperatures to linger through the weekend, although skies will be mainly clear. The overnight low from Saturday into Sunday will be in the teens.

Here is the local forecast at Dulles International Airport, according to the National Weather Service:

Wednesday night: Rain, mainly before 11 p.m. Low around 34. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 44. Northwest wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. At night, increasing clouds, with a low around 27. Calm wind.

Friday: A slight chance of showers after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. At night, a slight chance of showers before 1 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 37. At night, partly cloudy, with a low around 20.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 31. At night, clear, with a low around 15.