Winter Storm Could Drop First Measurable Snow On NoVA: Timing, What To Expect

A winter storm system is expected to track farther north on Friday and could drop the first measurable snow of the season on parts of Northern Virginia while also complicating the morning commute, according to the latest forecasts.

The fast-moving storm tracking over the eastern United States will tap into cold air to produce ice and snow over portions of the mid-Atlantic states, AccuWeather forecasters wrote on Thursday.

"There will be plenty of cold air in place ahead of the storm, so much of the precipitation can fall as snow or ice along the northern edge," AccuWeather Senior Director of Forecast Operations Dan DePodwin said. "The significant question for now and as the storm gets underway is: How far north can the snow spread before running into overwhelmingly dry air?"

While it won't be a big storm, the system is still expected to move through the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore metro areas on Friday and could coincide with the morning commute.

Ahead of the storm, the National Weather Service issued a potential winter commuting hazard alert for the entire region.

A winter weather advisory is in effect for eastern Prince William County from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday afternoon.

According to the NWS, a period of light snow is possible Friday morning across the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore metro areas, with up to an inch of snow accumulation on untreated roadways.

If the snow does materialize during the Friday morning rush hour, many roads could quickly turn icy, leading to dangerous traveling conditions, multiple accidents and extensive delays, forecasters warned.

In addition, light snow or freezing drizzle accumulations may also impact the evening commute as the storm system is slow to depart late Friday afternoon and evening.

The Virginia Department of Transportation urged drivers to limit travel Friday morning, as light snow may make for slick spots, especially on untreated roadways and elevated surfaces.

VDOT crews in Northern Virginia are completing pretreatment Thursday of interstates, primary highways, and high-volume secondary roads with salt brine and will mobilize overnight to be staged and ready for winter weather Friday morning.

Drivers should use extra caution on elevated surfaces such as bridges, ramps, and overpasses, as they freeze first. Be sure to slow down, keep two hands on the wheel, and report icy conditions to 800-FOR-ROAD or my.vdot.virginia.gov.

See the latest road conditions at 511.vdot.virginia.gov, or on the free mobile app, or call 511 from any phone in Virginia.

The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang released the following timeline for snowfall on Friday:

• 3 to 7 a.m.: Light snow develops from southwest to northeast but may not reach northern Maryland. Temperatures 25 to 30.
• 7 to 11 a.m.: Light snow, steadiest south of the Beltway. Flurries or just cloudy skies in northern Maryland. Temperatures rising to 28 to 32.
• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Light snow and flurries taper off from west to southeast. Northern areas may just have cloudy skies. Temperatures rising to 30 to 34.
• Late afternoon and evening: A few flurries or even a little freezing drizzle could linger in Southern Maryland in the late afternoon; otherwise, remaining mostly cloudy. Afternoon highs from 30 to 35 dip into the upper 20s and low 30s after sunset.

"For most of the D.C. area, a dusting to an inch is most probable, although amounts could climb to 1 to 2 inches in north-central Virginia (including Fredericksburg) and southern Maryland (including Waldorf)," the Capital Weather Gang wrote. "The Weather Service has issued winter weather advisories from around Fredericksburg southward."

Here's a look at the detailed forecast for Northern Virginia through the weekend:

Thursday: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 44. Breezy, with a northwest wind 8 to 13 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.

Thursday Night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 25. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.

Friday: Snow likely, mainly after 7am. Cloudy, with a high near 34. Light southeast wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Friday Night: A slight chance of snow before 10pm, then a slight chance of freezing rain between 10pm and 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 43. Light southwest wind.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 28.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 45.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28.