PM Update: Tues-Wed Storm Still on Track
Light snow accumulations Tuesday; Ice Tuesday night
Winter Weather Advisory 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday
Winter Storm Watch Tuesday Evening through Wednesday Afternoon
* StormCast: 
| Before 10 PM: SchoolCast *
Cloudy skies, cold temperatures and occasional morning snow showers helped set the mood today for an approaching winter storm. Highs that climbed only to near 30 in most spots this afternoon will settle back into the 20s for the evening. Tomorrow brings the season's best chance so far of accumulating snow.
Tonight: We stay cloudy overnight with temperatures falling into the mid 20s for overnight lows. Some light snow may enter mainly western portions of the area prior to sunrise. Winds will be light from the east or northeast.
Tomorrow (Tuesday): The storm scenario is still playing out pretty much as portrayed earlier. Periods of light snow should spread across the region during the morning hours and continue into the afternoon with some light accumulations likely. Around an inch or so is possible by the evening rush.
Tomorrow Night: Precipitation should pick up in intensity Tuesday evening, and total snow accumulations could reach around 1-2" (could be closer to 3" in north & west burbs) before a likely overnight change over to sleet and freezing rain. Some significant icing may occur, especially north and west of D.C., late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.
Wednesday: Icing problems could linger into the a.m. commute, especially north and west of D.C. As the morning goes on, precipitation should eventually change to plain rain everywhere, with periods of rain possible through the day as temperatures warm to highs in the mid-to-upper 30s. The rain could turn briefly back to snow before ending late in the day, but probably no additional accumulation. Gradual clearing Wednesday night with lows in the 20s.
Is Metro Ready for Winter Weather? According to a press release out this morning, the answer is yes. De-icing equipment, "heater tape" to keep the electric rail from freezing, and additional undercarriage protections are among the measures Metro has in place. On the other hand, Metrobus service depends on road conditions, "so passengers should expect possible detours and delays due to changing road conditions," the release says.
See Jason Samenow's forecast through the weekend.
By Ian Livingston |
January 26, 2009; 5:30 PM ET
Forecasts
,
Winter Storms
Previous: Storm Scenario: Some Snow, Then Ice and Rain |
Next: Snow Forecast May Cause Dilemma for Schools
Posted by: clintonportis17 | January 26, 2009 3:54 PM
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The trend continues away from significant snow and toward more ice for the coming event.
No high pressure anchored to our north, track too far inland, 850 mb ridging offshore, 850 trough over s. lakes region which will favor warm air advection aloft.
The big question will be how much qp and how much cad tomorrow night into Wed.??
Could be significant icing in favored areas.
Posted by: AugustaJim | January 26, 2009 4:15 PM
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clinton,
A winter storm warning? WAT?
No way this even should warrant one.
Posted by: wecndo | January 26, 2009 4:18 PM
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Augusta Jim -- You couldn't be more dead-on with your assessment.
Posted by: stillmand | January 26, 2009 4:20 PM
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Prediction: RAIN.
But I guess a little excitement doesn't hurt.
Posted by: PGirl | January 26, 2009 4:52 PM
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what happened to that friday snow storm they were talking about earlier?
Posted by: walter-in-fallschurch | January 26, 2009 5:09 PM
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I know what cad means, but qp?
Posted by: weathergrrl | January 26, 2009 5:12 PM
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look at the 18z GFS... wants to throw in some more snow on Thursday, but this is very unlikely.
http://www.nco.ncep.noaa.gov/pmb/nwprod/analysis/namer/gfs/18/images/gfs_pcp_054l.gif
Posted by: Snowman_In_Herndon | January 26, 2009 5:12 PM
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18z =http://forums.accuweather.com/uploads/post-12210-1233003559.gif = about 3 inches of snow in dc, about 2 south and about 4 inches north
Posted by: cjespn | January 26, 2009 5:15 PM
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All bets are off. Al Gore is scheduled to testify before Congress on Wednesday about global warming. Head to the store NOW for bread, milk and TP. It's gonna be a bad one.
Posted by: epjd | January 26, 2009 5:53 PM
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Weathergrrl,
qp = quantitative precipitation (forecast), usually seen as qpf. How much liquid will fall from the sky.
Posted by: pjdunn1 | January 26, 2009 6:03 PM
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Channel 9 has it going over to rain with 41 degrees Wednesday...darned storm passing off to our N&W!!! Hope it isn't the only one of the winter, but makes my Wed. library errand better.
WSW possibly nixes tomorrow's Clarendon Ballroom dance. Tonight's Chevy Chase Ballroom dance isn't affected.
Posted by: Bombo47jea | January 26, 2009 6:25 PM
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I predict 7 feet.
Also, is anyone else tired of hearing the phrase "north and west of DC?"
Posted by: LaurainNWDC | January 26, 2009 6:27 PM
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"Also, is anyone else tired of hearing the phrase "north and west of DC?""
No. It makes me glad I am in DC. The ice and snow can stay out there.
Where is the Snowcam?!?
Posted by: Bitter_Bill | January 26, 2009 6:33 PM
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i still would like to know why this winter is the first that i can recall, that nws makes it a point to forcast ice/snow at such and such feet above sea level in there advisories, other than the nova mt forcast for elevations above 2000 ft. have i missed hearing this all these years? oh btw this is like the 4th time i have asked this and it keeps geting skipped over??
Posted by: deveinmadisonva | January 26, 2009 7:18 PM
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what think the capweather folks, is the silly thing tracking too far NW for any fun at all?
Posted by: mandarb77 | January 26, 2009 7:28 PM
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Less than 1" 40%
1-2" 50%
2-3" 9%
3+ Caught 16 stripers at 301 Bridge 2day, 4 were 20-32Lbs.
This looks like a typical DC area winter storm, a little snow then rain. Looks like this is our last chance of snow this winter. Feb will see temps 2-4 degrees above.
Posted by: VaTechBob | January 26, 2009 7:49 PM
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please post school cast before 930!
Posted by: samdman95 | January 26, 2009 7:49 PM
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School cast is hilarious! I suspect there will be no issues Tues but Wed. could bring a delay in the N & W suburbs.
Posted by: bodyiq | January 26, 2009 8:13 PM
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I just want to give a shout out to you guys. This is a great blog, informative and entertaining. Keep up the good work.
And bring on the snow!!!
Posted by: dsk097 | January 26, 2009 8:27 PM
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Are you guys going to put out a map of accumulations? Good job as always.
Posted by: PC09 | January 26, 2009 8:35 PM
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So, here is a question I have wondered since I moved here a decade ago, but never asked....
Just what is Manassas classified as? We are west, but not north...and not really "west" either as we are only 25 or so miles west of the city.
It just always makes me wonder what to judge with when things are listed "north and west" or "south and east".....
And I think the PJ's will go one inside out tonight, just to add a little support for the kids. :-()
Kim in Manassas
Posted by: ksrgatorfn1 | January 26, 2009 8:37 PM
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By hilarious I mean they have been known to cancel school without anything more than a few flakes in the air. Guess they need to use the "snow days"?
Posted by: bodyiq | January 26, 2009 8:48 PM
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Ahh, evening before a storm. Such a fun time. A few answers for you all:
No Accumulation Map tonight, but in the morning post we will is coming up tonight, as well as the normal pre-storm coverage of timeline, FAQs, and all the tracking tools you could need.
Schoolcast on the otherhand... look for it by 9:45 tonight.
And for all those out there new (or old) to the site, welcome back for what i'm sure will be a wild day of weather. A little bit of everything is possible, with snow, ice, sleet, and even freezing (or plain RAIN!) all up possible in the next 24 hours or so, we will work to stay on top of the ever changing conditions.
Posted by: JJones-CapitalWeatherGang | January 26, 2009 9:04 PM
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Can you guys post a graphic/map of the region with the area you refer to when you say "north and west" to answer it once and for all?
I'm excited for the next two days' events!
Posted by: PeterBethesda | January 26, 2009 9:14 PM
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The comments to this entry are closed.
I don't think I have ever seen it around here to where we are under a WWA and WSW at the same time. Wouldn't it just be a whole lot easier to issue a winter storm warning for the whole event!? IMO the NWS makes it much more complicated then it is. If they are still unsure is to what may happen then hold the watch and wait a little longer. I just dislike how they rush rush rush to only change things around later. Just does not make sence to me! I just had to get this out lol!