* Winter storm warning through 10 a.m. Tuesday *
Key forecast points and storm timeline
- At least 2.5 to 4 inches of snow has fallen and roads are slick, prompting many schools and the federal government to close for Tuesday. See this list of school closings that have been announced. (From earlier, see our SchoolCast and FedCast predictions.)
- Through 3 a.m. Tuesday: Occasional light to moderate snow, accumulating up to another inch, especially north of D.C. Many roads are slick and snow covered — travel discouraged. Temperatures: mid- to upper 20s.
- 3 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday: Occasional light snow possible, could mix with sleet or freezing rain, especially from D.C. to the south and east. Additional snow accumulation should be less than a half-inch, but many roads will remain slick. Temperatures: upper 20s to near freezing.
12:10 a.m. update — Snow becoming more intermittent, staying below freezing most or all of Tuesday
Snow intensity has decreased during the past hour across the much of the area. But areas of moderate snow continue north of the Beltway, with occasional light snow elsewhere for a few more hours. So some spots could see up to another inch or so, especially north of D.C. We’ll have full list of snow totals in the morning, but it looks like most spots are going to end up in the range of 3 to 5 inches.
Temperatures will remain below freezing most, if not all, of Tuesday. So this snow is going nowhere, and we could even get a light coating of sleet or freezing rain on top of it in the morning around 5 to 10 a.m., especially from D.C. to the south and east.
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For those who have the day off on Tuesday — most schools are closed as is the federal government — enjoy the snow and happy sledding!
This is our final update for the night. We’ll be back with more in the morning, when we’ll start turning our attention to the chance of accumulating snow late Thursday into Friday.
10:45 p.m. update — Winter storm warning issued for D.C. area
The National Weather Service has just issued a last-minute winter storm warning for most of the region, which they issue when there is potential for 5 or more inches of snow. The warning does not include southern Fauquier, central to southern Prince William, Stafford, Charles, St. Mary’s or Calvert counties, all of which remain under the less severe winter weather advisory.
Much of the area has already picked up 2.5 to 4 inches of snow before the warning was issued. We expect some spots could accumulate up to another 1 to 1.5 inches before snow lightens toward or around midnight and accumulation potential starts to diminish, so some spots could indeed end up near or over 5 inches. Plus, some sleet and freezing rain is possible toward morning.
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“If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. When venturing outside, watch your first few steps taken on steps, sidewalks, and driveways, which could be icy and slippery, increasing your risk of a fall and injury,” the Weather Service said.
10:05 p.m. update — Snow still coming down nicely. Will gradually lighten toward midnight, but roads to remain hazardous into the morning
The snow has been coming down at a moderate intensity across the entire the D.C. region the past couple of hours. Looking at the latest model data and radar trends, we expect the snow to become lighter after 11 p.m. or so as the band of heaviest snow shifts to the north. But even with lighter snow, many roads will remain snow covered and treacherous as temperatures continue in the mid- to upper 20s.
A lot of reports of 2.5 to 3.5 inches across the region with a little more still to come. The school closings keep rolling in. Should be a fun day to sled tomorrow!
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Our next update will come around midnight.
8:10 p.m. update — Steady snow continues as the District officially posts first inch in nearly two years; roads slick
Radar shows a steady area of light to moderate snow from Charlottesville through Baltimore. With temperatures in the mid-to-upper 20s, every flake is sticking. This means untreated roads are slick and hazardous unless you take it slow.
As of 7 p.m., Reagan National Airport, the official weather observing location for the District, had picked up 1.8 inches of snow, ending a nearly two-year streak — the second-longest on record — without an inch of snow falling on a calendar day. Dulles International Airport also had registered 1.8 inches as of 7 p.m., as much of the area had observed about 1 to 3 inches.
Tomorrow was going to be exactly 2 years since the last day it snowed an inch or more. Then it happened today.
1.8 inches at DCA through 7p. 🥳❄️ pic.twitter.com/dHJlVKY40a
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) January 16, 2024An additional inch or two could fall until between midnight and 2 a.m., at which point the snow should ease and then taper off. But some spotty light snow and frozen mixed precipitation could continue into the morning hours on Tuesday, keeping untreated walkways and roads slippery.
Our next update will come around 10 p.m.
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6:05 p.m. update — Expect slippery spots on roads as snow becomes a bit heavier
Daylight and fairly light snowfall helped keep most roads in decent condition through much of the day despite temperatures that remained a few degrees below freezing. As darkness settles in, and with the snow now becoming a bit steadier and heavier, expect roads to become snow-covered and a lot of slippery spots to develop, even on main roads.
Yes, a few inches of snow is nothing to panic about. But current temperatures in the mid- to upper 20s are colder than we’ve seen during most of our relatively few snow events in recent winters, which means many roads can be treacherous even with not a lot of snow. That’s probably why some school systems have started announcing closures for tomorrow, with surely many more still to come.
3:50 p.m. update — Roads deteriorating as sun sets and steadier snow develops
While sunset isn’t until 5:10 p.m. in the city today, the effects of it dipping lower on the horizon are already being felt on roads and sidewalks across the area. They are quickly becoming slushy or snow- covered again. If you’re headed out, plan on travel conditions becoming increasingly dangerous over the next several hours.
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Snowfall totals are around half an inch to an inch in most spots this afternoon — some less and others more, largely on grass. Reston (1.5 inches), Herndon, (1.3 inches) a couple of nearby Northern Virginia locations are leading the way.
Today’s snowfall has mainly been very light and polite, adding up to only one-tenth of an inch or 2 inches an hour at maximum and usually much less. Later in the evening and into the early overnight, snowfall rates should increase to around 0.5 inches an hour for a while and perhaps upward of 1 inch per hour in shorter intervals. This heavier activity could last three to six hours or so and will probably account for much of the final total.
With temperatures below freezing areawide all day, even previously treated areas will be icy and snow-covered this evening. If possible, it is probably best to avoid travel tonight.
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Our next update will be available around 6 p.m.
1:45 p.m. update — Light snow showers and flurries to continue before intensity picks up toward dark
While we’ve seen the snow briefly pick up at times, we’re mostly seeing non-accumulating flurries and snow showers. This should continue for the next couple of hours. While we have freezing temperatures in the upper 20s to near 30, there is enough sun sneaking through the clouds for snow to melt on paved surfaces. Getting around should be fine for the next couple of hours at least.
However, as darkness approaches and snow becomes steadier, we expect conditions to deteriorate.
We’ll post our next update between 3:30 and 4 p.m.
9 a.m. update — Tricky travel as light snow continues
Many slick spots, accidents and some road closures have been reported this morning amid light snow and about a dusting to an inch of snow. Several miles of the George Washington Memorial Parkway under construction were shut down and seem likely to stay that way through at least tonight.
In and around the Beltway, totals are mostly under half an inch so far, with amounts closer to an inch observed in Herndon, Manassas and Broad Run.
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Snowflakes may continue to flutter a good chunk of the day without accomplishing more than a dusting to a few tenths of an inch on top of what has fallen. Light snowfall rates and what little sun rays make it through the clouds help keep snow from adding up, even with cold temperatures.
It is still quite cold — mostly mid-20s across the area, with some upper 20s toward Southern Maryland. Given the cold conditions, any melting will be minimal.
Even downtown and places south or east, temperatures will probably only briefly flirt with freezing this afternoon, with readings falling back into the 20s before or around sunset. Periods of moderate and perhaps briefly heavy snow become more likely this afternoon and heading into the evening, when a few inches can fall.
7 a.m. update — Minor accumulation early morning, numerous slick spots
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Snow in the area this morning has mainly been of the very light variety. Cold temperatures ranging across the 20s have allowed it all to stick, causing rather widespread slick spots on roadways and sidewalks. Untreated spots and lesser-traveled side roads are reported to be particularly slippery.
For the most part, it has been a dusting to a half-inch of snow across the pre-dawn hours. Not a lot — just enough to cause issues.
We should see lulls intermixed with light snow until it picks up in intensity this afternoon and evening. Most of the snow will fall this evening. Additional snowfall accumulation during the day is likely to be minor, mainly on untreated roads and sidewalks or on grassy and elevated surfaces.
With temperatures struggling to get past freezing this afternoon, any heavier bursts of snow that do occur can accumulate more readily. And once the sun starts going down, ice risks will increase into the night.
Original forecast from 5 a.m.
Today’s daily digit
A somewhat subjective rating of the day’s weather, on a scale of 0 to 10.
5/10: Right in the middle. An average of those who like snow and those who don’t.
Express forecast
- Today: Some light snow early. Steadier snow develops in afternoon. Highs: upper 20s to mid-30s.
- Tonight: Periods of snow. Lows: mid-20s to around 30.
- Tomorrow: Some light snow or freezing rain, mainly early. Highs: near-30 to mid-30s.
Forecast in detail
It has been almost two years to the day (Tuesday) since we last saw an inch of snowfall in Washington in a calendar day. We seem about to end that drought — the second-longest on record — with the potential for a couple of inches or so through Tuesday. Freezing air will ensure that road conditions will be slick as snow increases from tonight into early Tuesday. Then it stays cold, ensuring the snow sticks around. Not only that, there could also be more on Friday.
Today (Monday): A little snow will produce a quick coating early in the day. With temperatures in the low and mid-20s, slippery roads are a risk. Thereafter, snow may pause or become rather intermittent before perhaps increasing in the early afternoon. Any light snow during the day before midafternoon may not stick well to roads as temperatures climb into the low 30s. But, especially as snow becomes steadier later in the afternoon and temperatures fall when darkness approaches, more will stick to more surfaces. Winds are from the southeast around 5 to 10 mph. Confidence: medium-high.
Tonight: Snow intensity should pick up heading into evening, and roads could well become icy across the area. Snow could be moderate at times for a few hours through about midnight before easing into the pre-dawn hours. By that point, 1 to 3 or 2 to 4 inches of snow should be common. The snow could switch to a little freezing rain toward dawn, especially from the District and to the south and east. Lows range from 25 to 30. Confidence: medium.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest weather updates. Keep reading for the forecast through the weekend …
Tomorrow (Tuesday): Snow or mixed precipitation is possible early, and untreated roads will be slick; expect school delays and cancellations. But we should start to dry out later in the morning or by around midday, and little additional snow accumulation is expected. Highs range from the low to mid-30s, from northwest to southeast. Winds pick up out of the northwest with time. Confidence: medium.
Tomorrow night: There may be an evening flurry, but skies should be trending clearer through the night. It’s the coldest night of the season so far, with lows ranging across the teens. Confidence: medium-high,
A look ahead
The sun should be back on Wednesday, but it will be cold. Highs should range from about 30 to the low 30s, helping keep snow and ice around. Lows Wednesday night are forecast to be in the teens and low 20s. Confidence: medium.
It should turn cloudier Thursday as the next chance of wintry weather approaches. Highs are expected to reach the mid-30s or so. Some light snow could develop at night. Confidence: medium.
Another weak storm system is forecast to pass by the area Friday. It could produce another round of light snow, with highs in the low to mid-30s. Confidence: low-medium.
A reinforcing shot of cold air is on tap for the weekend. Highs may get stuck in the 20s to low 30s Saturday as winds again gust from the northwest, and a flurry is possible. They should moderate to 30 to 35 by Sunday with sunshine still sticking around. Confidence: medium.
Snow potential index
A daily assessment of the potential for at least 1 inch of snow in the next week, on a 0-10 scale.
- 8/10 (↑): Snowflakes that start Monday morning could add up to a couple of inches or so, especially into tonight. It seems the snow drought is going to break. Maybe some more will Friday.
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