Wintry Mix Heading To NoVA, DC: Weather Forecast

WASHINGTON, DC — Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., should get a first dose of winter weather — and nightmare icy roads during a commute — by the end of the week. Temperatures are expected to drop about 10 degrees by Thursday, when sleet and freezing rain may arrive in time for the morning commute. And if one local forecaster is correct, the DC region will have double the snow this winter that the area averages.

With freezing temperatures west of Interstate 95 Thursday morning, forecasters predict an icy mix will ensue as the rain comes through, particularly in the western to northern suburbs, says The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang.

"Although there may be a brief period of mostly snow, a transition to sleet and freezing rain is likely through the day Thursday," according to the National Weather Service forecast discussion. The mix is expected to transition to all rain by midday on Thursday, Nov. 15.

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Thursday morning's sloppy mix of rain, sleet and snow will change over to all rain by the afternoon in most areas, the Capital Weather Gang predicts. "Little accumulation is expected in the immediate metro, but temperatures might be cold enough in the far north and west suburbs for an icy coating or so (especially on cold and elevated surfaces like trees). Rain could be heavy at times in the afternoon and evening."

As for what to expect when winter arries in another six weeks, NBC Washington says snow, snow and more snow. An El Nino system will help boost D.C. snow totals from about 15 inches of snow to 25 to 35 inches this winter in the metro area and along Interstate 95, Chief Meteorologist Doug Kammerer predicts. Expect 35-45 inches in the Dulles International Airport and Frederick, Maryland, areas, and even more than that further west.

Kammerer also says there could be a storm around Christmas.

Here is the Washington, D.C., area forecast from the National Weather Service:

Tuesday: Scattered showers. Cloudy, with a high near 49. Northwest wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Northwest wind around 11 mph.

Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 44. Northwest wind 8 to 10 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. North wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm.

Thursday: A chance of rain and sleet between 8am and 11am, then rain. High near 41. Northeast wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Thursday Night: Rain. Low around 38. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Friday: Rain before 8am, then a chance of showers between 8am and 2pm. High near 50. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 52.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 49.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 49.

Includes reporting by Patch Editor Elizabeth Janney.

Image via Shutterstock.