Winter Storm Warning For 3-7 Inches Of Snow In DC, NoVA

WASHINGTON, DC — An unseasonably warm first Sunday in January with highs in the mid-60s in the Washington, D.C., region will give way to plunging temperatures, sleet and snow for Monday morning's commute, forecasters said.

Snowfall of 3 to 7 inches is expected in D.C. and points south on Monday morning, prompting a winter weather advisory, while a winter storm warning is issued for southern Virginia.

"Travel could be difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute," the National Weather Service said.

If drivers can delay travel overnight and early Monday, they should do so to give Virginia Department of Transportation crews time to treat and clear roads, said Virginia State Police in a news release.

"The Virginia State Police is encouraging Virginians to plan ahead and avoid having to travel during inclement conditions," VSP spokeswoman Corinne Geller said. "The National Weather Service is calling for accumulations of snow, as well as combinations of rain and sleet in the early morning hours of Monday, Jan. 3."

The District of Columbia and portions of northern Virginia will be under the winter storm warning from 1 a.m. to 4p.m. Monday, the NWS said. Snow totals of 3 to 7 inches are predicted, along with wind gusts of up to 35 mph.

Areas in the warning include DC, Prince William, Manassas, Manassas Park, Fairfax,
Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria and Fauquier, the weather service said.

A winter storm warning will be in effect from 3 a.m. to noon Monday in parts of central, south-central and west-central Virginia, the National Weather Service said.

Heavy snow is expected, with accumulations of 2 to 6 inches south of Interstate 66 and U.S. Route 50.

Rain or sleet will fall between midnight and 4 a.m. before switching to snow. The snowfall rate will be 1 to 2 inches per hour between about 5 and 11 a.m. Monday, The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang predicts.

"We would anticipate road condition rapidly deteriorating between 5 and 8 a.m. in most areas," the Post said. "In the hardest-hit areas, especially in the southern part of the region, we can’t rule out thundersnow, very low visibility (below one-quarter mile) and extremely difficult travel conditions."

If you must travel during the storm, state police remind drivers of these winter weather driving tips:

• Before heading out, check Virginia road conditions at www.511virginia.org or download the VDOT 511 app.
• Clear all snow and ice from the roof, trunk, hood and windows of your vehicle before you travel.
• Use your headlights in rain and snow. Virginia law requires headlights on when your wipers are active.
• Drive for conditions: slow your speed and increase your traveling distance between the vehicle ahead of you.
• Always buckle up.
• Avoid distractions; put down the phone.
• Do not call 911 or #77 for road conditions. Leave these emergency lines open for emergencies only.

Here's the DC region weather forecast for the start of the work week:

Sunday Afternoon: A chance of rain, mainly before 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 66. West wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday Night: Rain before 4am, then rain and snow. Low around 31. North wind 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Monday: Snow, mainly before noon. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 36. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 20. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light northwest. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 39. Northwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming south in the afternoon.