The D.C. area may experience its first snow of the season Friday — at least technically. A storm system sliding across the Southeast may throw enough moisture north into cold air entrenched over the D.C. area to produce a period of light snow.
This is not a big storm, but the potential snow may coincide with Friday morning’s commute, causing some disruptions for travelers. Air and ground temperatures will probably be low enough for the snow to stick, causing slippery spots on untreated roads and sidewalks.
The National Weather Service has issued a special commuting statement, cautioning of the potential for hazardous conditions. “If this threat does materialize during the Friday morning rush hour, many roads could quickly turn icy,” the Weather Service wrote. “This could lead to dangerous traveling conditions, multiple accidents, and extensive delays.”
Confidence in snowfall is highest south of the Beltway, while the northern parts of the region, nearer the Pennsylvania border, may see only flurries.
For most of the D.C. area, a dusting to an inch is most probable, although amounts could climb to 1 to 2 inches in north-central Virginia (including Fredericksburg) and Southern Maryland (including Waldorf). The Weather Service has issued winter weather advisories from around Fredericksburg southward.
Because the region is along the northern edge of the storm, small shifts could alter the forecast substantially. If the storm jogs a bit to the north, the Beltway area could receive at least an inch or two; if it slips south, there may be no accumulation.
This potential snow, the first of the season for the Beltway area, is occurring Dec. 5 — which snow lovers once referred to as a day of destiny. Between 2002 and 2009, snow fell five times on this date.
Snow timeline
3 to 7 a.m.: Light snow develops from southwest to northeast but may not reach northern Maryland. Temperatures 25 to 30.
7 to 11 a.m.: Light snow, steadiest south of the Beltway. Flurries or just cloudy skies in northern Maryland. Temperatures rising to 28 to 32.
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Light snow and flurries taper off from west to southeast. Northern areas may just have cloudy skies. Temperatures rising to 30 to 34.
Late afternoon and evening: A few flurries or even a little freezing drizzle could linger in Southern Maryland in the late afternoon; otherwise, remaining mostly cloudy. Afternoon highs from 30 to 35 dip into the upper 20s and low 30s after sunset.
Snow impacts
Ordinarily, this potential snowfall would be little more than a nuisance. But the fact it may occur during the morning commute could cause some disruptions. Freezing temperatures (in the 20s) ahead of the snow will allow it to accumulate immediately, making untreated roads and walkways slippery. As such, there is the potential for some school delays and cancellations Friday, especially in jurisdictions south of D.C.
The intensity of the snow should generally be light, meaning clearing crews should be able to keep up with it and it mostly shouldn’t fall fast enough to overwhelm pretreated surfaces.
The event’s relatively short duration — not lasting more than about six hours in any one location — will also limit its impact.
On Capital Weather Gang’s winter storm impact scale, this rates as a Category 1 out of 5.
The post D.C. may see its first accumulating snow of the season Friday. What to expect. appeared first on Washington Post.
