Forecast: Into the Icebox
Snow showers, flurries possible today
*** Tomorrow: CWG's Winter Outlook and Live Chat (1 p.m.) ***
A hearty plunge of polar air is sweeping the eastern half of the nation and it is delivering quite a pre-winter punch. The majority of this week, this weekend, and even possibly next week should see highs only in the 40s (normals are still in the 50s in this part of November). We have a chance of flurries or snow showers around the area this morning and look for another chance potentially on Friday or Friday evening behind another cold front.
Chill. 40-45. Intermittent clouds and sun are anticipated along with snow shower chances in the morning (40%) and a few flurries possible in the afternoon (20%). Gusty northerly winds up to 25 mph at times will keep the wind chill well down into the 30s. This will feel like winter.
Look for a widespread freeze tonight as clouds start to clear and winds begin to gradually calm. Lows should range from 26-30 (suburbs-city).
Confidence: High
Keep reading for the forecast through the weekend.
TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY)
Cold sunshine. 40-44. We should see more sunshine than clouds today, but the cold air mass will persist. High temperatures should be as much as 10 degrees below normal.
On Wednesday night, temperatures should plummet again with lows 25-29 (suburbs-city). Look for mostly clear skies and light breezes.
Thursday is forecast to see some brief temperature recovery with more sunshine and highs getting up to the 48-52 range. Thursday night should see the arrival of more clouds and warmer overnight temperatures from the upper 20s to the lower to even middle 30s (downtown). Confidence: Medium
Friday should find temperatures trending colder again as another cold front whips through the region. There is a chance of snow showers both during the day and into the evening (20% for now) and look for widespread cloud cover. The main challenge appears to be timing as the weather models vary on the arrival of potential impulses that could trigger the showers or flurries. Confidence: Low-Medium
The weekend looks mainly dry right now, but also mainly cold yet again. Look for highs in the middle to upper 40s and lows in the upper 20s to lower 30s. Sky conditions should be partly to mostly sunny. Looking into next week, the pattern still looks cold, but there is a chance of a warm-up toward that fast-arriving Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Confidence: Low-Medium
By Matt Rogers |
November 18, 2008; 10:15 AM ET
Forecasts
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Posted by: strangldangel | November 18, 2008 6:46 AM
If there ever was a day for a snowstorm today is it
Posted by: LAWNMAN209 | November 18, 2008 7:15 AM
.25 inch of snow on the ground this morning with 24 degrees. Staunton PD is reporting many streets snow and ice covered and advise extreme caution.
Posted by: AugustaJim | November 18, 2008 7:29 AM
@strangldangel
The at a glance is showing you the major weather of the day. While there is a chance of snow flurries/showers throughout the area during the morning, the predominant weather of the day will be partly cloudy with sunshine.
I'd also be remiss not to add that the At a Glance forecast is provided by the National Weather Service, who think there is only a 20% chance of snow showers today, therefore giving it smaller prominence in their forecast. Regardless, as Matt mentioned in the post this morning, a greater chance of light snow in the morning then the afternoon, but with no accum. is the (snow) weather story to take away from today.
Posted by: JJones-CapitalWeatherGang | November 18, 2008 8:47 AM
National Airport dipped to 32 for the first time this season overnight.
Posted by: Ian-CapitalWeatherGang | November 18, 2008 9:46 AM
Looks like some flurries (or maybe sprinkles) headed toward the area from the north now.
Posted by: Ian-CapitalWeatherGang | November 18, 2008 11:06 AM
Just thought I would point out, before people start complaining about 40s in January, is that today is about 15-20 COLDER than normal.
Posted by: SouthsideFFX | November 18, 2008 12:24 PM
A few flurries falling at Metro Center right now.
Posted by: Storm9 | November 18, 2008 12:29 PM
Yes, flurries are popping up all around our area right now with enhanced instability aloft. National Airport is reporting a light snow flurry and several spots could see their first flakes in the next hour or two. -Matt Rogers
Posted by: mrwx1 | November 18, 2008 12:32 PM
SouthsideFFX:
This is likely to be only one of many below normal days for the remainder of this calendar year.
Posted by: AugustaJim | November 18, 2008 12:38 PM
First snow report of the season at National:
SPECI KDCA 181725Z 32020G26KT 10SM -SN FEW045 BKN065 03/M09 A3015 RMK AO2 PK WND 34028/1659 SNB25 P0000
Posted by: Ian-CapitalWeatherGang | November 18, 2008 12:42 PM
Saw my snowflakes, so now I'm happy. Now when's the next chance for some more of this stuff?
Posted by: weathergrrl | November 18, 2008 1:35 PM
Should be some more this afternoon, but I'm thinking the next chance could be Friday as more instability sweeps down through behind the next big cold front -Matt Rogers
Posted by: mrwx1 | November 18, 2008 1:46 PM
Between 12:50 and 1pm, flurries in Old Town, Alexandria. :)
Posted by: MKoehl | November 18, 2008 2:07 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
if 40% chance of snow this mornng then why no snow shown in the "At Glance?"