Ice Accumulation Estimates Released For VA Ahead Of Winter Storm: Latest Forecast

A winter storm packing snow, sleet and freezing rain will move across parts of Virginia on Friday, leading to possible power outages and disrupting post-holiday travel plans, according to the latest forecasts.

A winter weather advisory will be in effect from noon Friday until midnight for portions of Northern Virginia, including Loudoun County. A separate advisory is also in effect for several counties northwest of the D.C., including Jefferson, Hardy, Grant and Mineral.

For counties included in the advisories, precipitation is likely to start on Friday afternoon in the form of sleet or freezing rain, the National Weather Service said. Freezing rain with some sleet mixing in will continue through the afternoon and evening, although some lower elevations may just see rain.

Temperatures will continue to rise above freezing from south to north into the evening, according to the advisory, allowing precipitation to transition to more rain.

"Some locations may hover near the freezing mark through tonight. Precipitation exits off to the northeast, with some light drizzle or freezing drizzle possibly lingering into the early overnight hours," the National Weather Service wrote.

In Loudoun County, total ice accumulations between a trace and one-tenth of an inch are expected, with sleet accumulations of less than one-half inch, according to the National Weather Service.

Meanwhile, a hazardous weather outlook is in effect for areas closer to D.C., including the counties of Fairfax, Arlington, Prince William, Stafford, Spotsylvania and King George, as well as the cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, Manassas and Manassas Park.

"The higher elevations will have to deal with slippery travel thanks to ice, but farther south, it’ll mostly be a rain event in Baltimore and Washington, D.C.," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Chad Merrill said Friday.

The winter storm is expected to clear out of the state by Saturday morning. On Saturday, the forecast calls for mostly cloudy skies with high temperatures in the mid-40s. There's a chance for rain on Sunday, mainly after 1 p.m. Conditions will be cloudy, with a high near 49.

Here's a look at the detailed National Weather Service forecast for the region:

Friday: A slight chance of sleet between 1pm and 3pm, then a chance of rain and sleet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. Southeast wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday Night: Rain likely, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. South wind 5 to 8 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 46. North wind 6 to 9 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Sunday: A chance of rain, mainly after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 49. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday Night: A chance of rain. Cloudy, with a low around 44. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Monday: Rain likely, mainly before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 70%.