Tag: Watches

WASHINGTON – The D.C. area is seeing mild temperatures Saturday ahead of snow expected Sunday. Winter storm warnings and watches are in effect starting Sunday morning. 

DC Weather Forecast, Saturday January 18

What we know:

The D.C. region will see temperatures in the mid-40s, mild in comparison to what’s ahead. The day will be mostly cloudy with rain and a potential for a quick hit of wintry mix that will end by the afternoon. Overnight, there is a chance of some snow, freezing rain and rain that will bring us in to Sunday. 

How much snow could DC get? 

Big picture view:

A weak wave of low pressure will develop along an Arctic boundary and very cold Arctic air will settle in and set up to give us snow.  

Daytime highs will be reached by the first part of the day and temps will fall quickly throughout the afternoon and evening. 

We should see 2″-4″ of snow for the D.C. region. Expect higher amounts to the Northwest over higher elevation areas. With this quick-hitting system, we are not expecting as much snow as we saw at the beginning of the month. 

What time will it start snowing in DC? 

Timeline:

Snow is expected to start by mid-morning sometime between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. That will taper off to flurries by the early evening hours, sometime between 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm. 

Winter storm warnings & watches

What we know:

A winter storm warning is in effect starting at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday for parts of north central, northern, and western Maryland,  northern and northwest Virginia, and panhandle West Virginia. This includes areas like Hagerstown in Washington County, Western Loudoun, Frederick, MD and Frederick, VA. 

The winter storm warning is currently set to expire at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday. Heavy snow and gusty winds are expected in the warning area, with total snow accumulation of up to six inches of snow. 

A winter storm watch is in effect all day Sunday for parts of northern, northwest, and western Virginia and eastern West Virginia. In Maryland, NW Montgomery Counties. In Virginia, Eastern Loudoun, Fauquier and northwest Prince William Counties.

In both the Warning and Watch areas the hazardous conditions will impact travel especially on untreated surfaces. Gusty winds will affect visibility and could bring down tree branches. 

DC Weather forecast for next week

What’s next:

Next week exect dangerous cold, with the opportunity for single digit temperatures. 

An airmass that had its origins in Siberia and crossed the North Pole to get here will arrive in the D.C. region Monday. Midnight highs in the middle to upper 20s are again likely on Monday, with afternoon temperatures expected to be in the teens and lower 20s for inauguration festivities. 

It will be dry, with no snow Monday. By Tuesday morning, widespread single digits with dangerously cold, subzero wind chills will settle in across the entire DC region. DC has not seen single digit lows since December of 2022, but will have a shot at it on both Tuesday & Wednesday morning. 

READ: Trump’s Inauguration Day viewing, parade moved to Capital One Arena

Cold to impact Trump’s inauguration 

Big picture view:

President-elect Donald Trump will take the oath of office indoors due to the freezing temperatures expected during his inaugural ceremonies on Monday, January 20. 

The extreme temperatures, frigid winds, and icy conditions expected from a blast of arctic air and anticipated snow over the weekend prompted the move. The Rotunda is prepared as the inclement weather alternative for each inauguration, the Associated Press reported. A final decision would be up to the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies in consultation with Trump.

Temperatures are expected to be well below average when Trump takes the oath of office at 12 p.m. on Monday, January 20. The frigid arctic air is due to a polar vortex expected to send temperatures plummeting for millions across the U.S.

Forecast temperatures for the Swearing-In Ceremony at noon on Monday are expected to be the coldest since Reagan’s second inauguration, which was on January 21st, 1985. 

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