Alexandria Under Winter Storm Watch

Alexandria is under a winter storm watch, according to the National Weather Service, and the chances our area will see “significant snow” Tuesday night and Wednesday are increasing.

The official National Weather Service forecast calls for rain Tuesday afternoon changing to snow after dark. The low temperature will be 30 Tuesday night and rise only to 33 Wednesday as precipitation continues through Wednesday evening.

The NWS says the Alexandria area could see snow accumulation of one to three inches Tuesday night with lows in the lower 30s. The chance of precipitation is near 100 percent.

Wednesday is expected to see snow in the morning with some rain mixed in during the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is once again near 100 percent.

A chance of rain is expected Wednesday evening.

The Capital Weather Gang says a "reasonable first estimate" is 3 - 8 inches of heavy, wet snow in the DC metro area, with more likely outside the Beltway. "This is the kind of storm will (sic) snowfall may vary significantly within a very small area and where a few degrees will make a big difference."

The City of Alexandria communicates snow-related closings and cancellations via the city website, eNews alert messages and social media. Alexandria City Public Schools announces closings and delays via telephone, its website or emergency e-news.

See also: 

• Winter Storm Emergency Preparedness Tips
• Driving Tips for Snow

And, since people in Northern Virginia like to name storms, the popular choice for this storm seems to be: Snowquester.

History of March Snow in DC Area

The DC area has gotten at least a trace of snow in March in 15 of the past 30 years, WTOP reported. Seven of those 15 snowfalls have been less than an inch. The most recently really significant snow in March was 5.5 inches in 2009.

Overall, the DC area has averaged 1.3 inches of snow in March over the past 30 years. Out at Dulles International Airport, the average for March is 2.8 inches over the past 30 years, according to WTOP.

This February, both Punxsutawney Phil and Potomac Phil predicted an early spring.