7:00 AM | *****Snow or a mix of snow and sleet arrives mid-to-late morning...extended period with mixed precipitation of sleet/freezing rain.*****
Paul Dorian
6-Day forecast for the Washington, D.C. metro region
Today
Mostly cloudy, cold, snow or a mix of snow and sleet is likely to arrive during the mid-to-late morning hours, mixed precipitation of sleet and freezing rain is likely in the afternoon and some of it will be heavy at times, winds will become increasingly strong, highs in the lower 30’s
Tonight
Mixed precipitation can fall heavily at times and it should change back to all snow late, windy, cold, lows in the mid-to-upper 20’s
Thursday
Becoming partly sunny, windy and cold, cannot rule out a couple of snow showers, mid 30’s for afternoon highs
Thursday Night
Mainly cloudy, cold, mid 20’s for late night lows
Friday
Mainly sunny, cold, upper 30's
Saturday
Partly sunny, cold, near 40 degrees
Sunday
Partly sunny, not quite as cold, mid 40’s
Monday
Partly sunny, chilly, mid 40’s
Discussion
Very strong and cold high pressure is anchored across southeastern Canada this morning and the day will begin cold and dry. Meanwhile, low pressure will be developing today along the Carolina coastline and then push northward to southeastern Virginia and then to the Delmarva Peninsula by early tonight. After that, the low will make a bit of a turn and push more to the northeast instead of to the north resulting in a position east of New Jersey by the late night hours. Snow or a mix of snow and sleet is likely to break out here during the mid-to-late morning hours and given the expected storm track, enough milder air will push in from the ocean to cause a changeover to sleet and freezing rain. Later tonight as the low shifts to the east, colder air should wrap around and cause a change back to all snow before the precipitation winds down late. The extended period of mixed precipitation will limit total snow accumulations in the District and nearby suburbs to 1-3 inches; 3-6 inches possible across the outer northern and western suburbs. There can also be a buildup of ice in many areas later today with the sleet and freezing rain as low-level temperatures will be hard pressed to rise above freezing. One last note, watch for "mesoscale" banding during this storm which could result in heavy bursts of precipitation and possible thunder.
Meteorologist Paul Dorian
Perspecta, Inc.
perspectaweather.com