The National Weather Service released the Winter Storm Monitor on Monday from 1 a.m. to 1 p.m. Points south of DC and Interstate 66 and US Route 50. There will be heavy snowfall from late Sunday until Monday afternoon, with a chance of a total of 3 to 6 inches. .
When winter weather enthusiasts saw the first snowfall of the new year, it began to snow in some parts of the DC region.
A look at Monday’s blizzard:
- Forecasters forecast four to six inches of snow on Monday afternoon.
- A winter storm warning will be in effect throughout the area until 4 p.m., Monday.
- The tight slope of the snowfall accumulation to the north of the district will lead to large differences in the accumulation of small toxins in the path of the storm system.
- The system is expected to bring dangerous driving conditions on Monday morning trips.
The low pressure system forming over southern Appalachia is set to begin on Sunday night, bringing ice from the Blue Ridge to the coastal Chesapeake Bay. Winter storm warnings and snowfall were triggered as far south as Alabama, although last-minute changes in forecasts could lead to more or less the same amount domestically.
In the DC area Monday morning, some people have already reported snowfall in some parts of Fairfax County, with less than an hour for winter storm warnings to take effect.
Check out the snow here in NWS Huntsville. #HUNwx pic.twitter.com/HlYXkaVlHb
– NWS Huntsville (WNWSHuntsville) January 3, 2022
On Sunday night, Storm Team4 meteorologists increased the forecast for snowfall, although accurate snowfall levels will not be revealed until Monday afternoon.
Connor Bleak, with the National Weather Service, said the storms could cause problems with travel Monday morning for travelers in the district, North Virginia and southern Maryland.
“At the peak of the storm we are going to handle potential charges in the range of 1/2 inch to an inch per hour. [kinds] At rates it will definitely cause some problems on the roads, ”said Connor Belak, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. “Especially high surfaces like bridges.”
Current weather warnings
The National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings for parts of northern Virginia from 11 a.m. Sunday through 1 p.m.
Forecasters expect heavy snowfall from Sunday night through Monday afternoon, with the possibility of a total of three to seven inches in DC and suburbs. Heavy snowfall is forecast from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Storm Team4 meteorologist Matt Ritter told the WTOP that bad driving conditions could extend to Tuesday morning’s trip if it snows overnight Monday.
“We have to worry about any hard freezing that ends up on the ground, it will be compact, wet and muddy,” Ritter said.
The following districts in southern Maryland and central and northern Virginia can see snow accumulations of five to eight inches:
- Charles, St. Mary’s and Calvert in Maryland
- Stafford, SPOTSILVANIA, King George in Virginia
Three to seven inches of snow is expected in the following districts and cities:
- DC
- Baltimore City, Prince Georges, Anne Arundel, Montgomery and Howard Districts in Maryland
- Cities in Manassas, Manassas Park, Falls Church and Alexandria and Fairfax, Counties of Arlington, Prince William, Loudown, Fokier and Calpepper in Virginia.
It raises the message for damage to the heart WTOP The asking area. There will be vulnerabilities until Monday afternoon. I still believe it is important to monitor hard freezing on Monday night! #DCwx #MDwx #VAwx # Washington DC https://t.co/3ELi5t7k1L
– Matt Ritter, WTOP Multimedia Meteorologist (etMetMattRitter) January 2, 2022
Previous predictions have changed dramatically
Monday’s forecast called for a little more waves than the day before, but a dramatic change in computer models on Sunday morning put the immediate DC region in a unique danger of great importance.
The culprit – before the rapidly deepening storm over the Carolinas from the Tennessee Valley – will bring moisture from west to east to the DC area just after midnight. Although the combination of rain and drizzle can kick things off, the nighttime temperatures are such that the snow that lasts during the day should stay cool for long periods of time.
Ryan Miller, a meteorologist with Storm Group 4, said: “As the cold winds continue to spread from the north to the region, that rain will turn into snow, and then the winds will continue to cool and turn from snow to snow.” WTOP.
But like many winter storms in recent memory, there is a catch: tight sloping models of snow accumulation north of the country’s capital point to exactly how big differences small nudges can have in the path of the system throughout Sunday. Falls – and where. The exact structure of heavy ice sheets is very difficult to predict and may also be a determining factor.
“It’s a kind of storm, it’s on the beach, and there’s a tight slope between where the rain falls and there’s nothing,” Miller said.
The forecast may change somewhat, but any results that come to the road on Monday morning will cause headaches. Plan slippery conditions on streets, stairs, sidewalks and driveways.
Answers from the region
In anticipation of dangerous conditions, teams are preparing overnight for salting and plowing in case of any snowfall. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser will announce a snow emergency and send a team with more than 100 snowfalls at midnight. The city will also begin to salt the roads at that time.
In Maryland, crews are loading rock salt and going outside as soon as it starts to rain. Charlie Kishler, social relations manager for the State Highway Administration of the Maryland Department of Transportation, said they start with salt and then start plowing.
But he said they could not move the roads effectively as the storm was expected to start raining.
“All goods are simply washed off the road, so now we are ready to load and move on.
Ellen Camillagis, a spokeswoman for the Virginia Department of Transportation, said her team would begin mobilizing overnight.
“They get map work of what area they are going to plow, and it will be filled with salt or sand depending on where they are going. Then they go and wait until the storm starts, ”he said.
He said as soon as they had accumulated two inches on the ground their plows would drop the blades and actually start pushing the snow.
Forecast:
Sunday night: Cloudy skies. Winter storm warning from 1pm to 4pm on Monday. It is raining with snow after midnight. 100% chance of rain / snow (mainly after midnight). Low from the mid-20s to the mid-30s.
Monday: Winter storm warning continues until 4 p.m., with occasional moderate snow. Three to five inches in DC Metro and high concentrations in the south and east. Snow start / afternoon, 100% chance. Northwesterly winds of 15 to 25 mph blowing southwest of the city at 25 to 30 mph. At least in the mid-30s and highs.
Tuesday: Sunlight continues. Slight heat and breeze with northwesterly winds of 10 to 20 mph. 40 degrees in the mid-30s.
Wednesday: Partly cloudy and warm to the touch. Winds will be 10 to 15 mph with southwesterly winds. Maximum 37 to 45 degrees.
Current conditions:
VTOP’s Valerie Bank contributed to this report.
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