Wintry Mix Leads Several Early February Winter Storm Chances In NoVA

VIRGINIA — Northern Virginians could be grappling with slippery roads Wednesday evening into Thursday due to an icy mix of precipitation. The wintry mix may be the first of a winter storm-filled early February in the region.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for the region from 9 p.m. Wednesday to 10 a.m. Thursday. Forecasters anticipate a mix of light freezing rain, sleet, and snow starting Wednesday evening. That precipitation could transition into a steady freezing rain Wednesday night.

As temperatures warm Thursday morning, the freezing rain will become rain. However, school delays or cancellations are possible as the day starts with slippery conditions.

Sleet accumulations could get up to 1 inch, and ice accumulations could reach one tenth of an inch, according to the National Weather Service.

AccuWeather said the ice storm impacts will stretch from the Midwest to the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.

"A clash of warm, humid air and cold Arctic air will result in a myriad of impactful weather for millions of Americans this week," said AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham. "Severe thunderstorms, a dangerous ice storm and accumulating snow are all expected between Wednesday and Thursday as a storm races east."

Colder areas north and west of the Capital Beltway could see a greater risk of ice accumulation and slippery roads, according to the Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang. The rest of the region has the likelihood of "patchy iciness."

"Untreated surfaces in colder northern and western parts of the Washington region, where temperatures could drop to 29 to 31 degrees Wednesday night, will be most prone to becoming icy," the Capital Weather Gang forecast stated. "However, computer models suggest temperatures will fall to 31 or 32 elsewhere across the region (except perhaps right along the bay), which means everyone should stay on guard."

The Capital Weather Gang says the wintry mix is one of numerous winter storm chances coming in the next 10 days. Forecasters say another winter storm chance over the weekend could result in snow, ice and rain. More chances are possible the following week.

AccuWeather noted that Punxsutawney Phil's prediction for six more weeks of winter may be supported by the multiple storm chances in the first half of February. AccuWeather said details are not yet clear on where snow and ice will appear for the weekend winter storm.

"We are monitoring three potential storms between Feb. 5-11," said AccuWeather's lead long-range forecaster Paul Pastelok. "This will be a busy pattern with potential disruptions to travel and business."

Here's the National Weather Service forecast for the coming days from at Dulles International Airport:

Wednesday: A slight chance of snow between 1pm and 3pm, then a slight chance of sleet after 3pm. Cloudy, with a high near 39. The chance of precipitation is 20 percent. At night, sleet is likely, possibly mixed with freezing rain before 11 p.m., then sleet likely between 11 p.m. and midnight. Sleet, possibly mixed with freezing rain, follows after midnight. Low around 31. The chance of precipitation at night is 100 percent. New ice accumulation of less than a 0.1 of an inch possible. New sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Thursday: Rain and sleet, possibly mixed with freezing rain, becoming all rain after 9 a.m. High near 49. South wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. Little or no ice accumulation expected. New sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible. At night, mostly cloudy, with a low around 38.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 51. Northwest wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. At night, mostly cloudy, with a low around 28.

Saturday: A chance of snow before 1 p.m., then rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. At night, rain is likely, mainly before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. At night, partly cloudy, with a low around 28.

Monday: A chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 38. At night, a chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.