Forecast: Too Cold? Just Wait for the Weekend

Surprise, surprise. While I type this from my computer office, it is snowing HARD here in Westminster around 2 a.m.

So Weather Gang...

How do you explain this?

Hey CWG, wakey wakey! What's this my radio is telling me about a Winter Weather Advisory until 10AM, and schools in MD with delays and closings? A leftover from the storm we had yesterday?

Yesterday, southeastern PA was surprised with snow that seemed to set up in bands, some of which even produced lightning and thunder. It looks like some of that snow has pushed south and backfilled a bit.

Yep, most definitely some strength in those bands

Ol' Tom K this morning was reporting that Lancaster, Penn picked up TEN inches from a series of bands that set up there yesterday, so it's clear that the upper atmosphere has some staying power

While if you get under one of these bands (I'm looking at you, northern maryland) you can see some good snow and even light to moderate accumulation, the rest of us can expect just light snow (I know my patio has just a light trace of flakes). Enjoy it while you can, as it should wrap up quickly once it runs out of steam.

once again our fabulous DC weather forecasters are asleep at the switch. NWS has potential ONE TO TWO inches???!!! Where did this come from?

Jay, while the potential is there for decent accumulations, it is going to be very localized based on where you are and where the strongest bands set up. Consider it very similar to a spring thunderstorm, and how the line making up and breaking up can be the difference between 1/3 of an inch of rain and severe lightning/wind or a light sprinkle and dark skies.

With that said, I would be wary of untreated roads, especially NORTH AND EAST of the city

Coming down pretty hard here in north arlington, solid coating on the ground in the last 30 minutes....

Hey CWG, how long do you foresee before we ditch the Southerly Air-flow that we're expecting this weekend? Any Arctic Air Masses in our Near Future?

@TheAnalyst

It might go back to a colder pattern around 2/15 or so...

TheAnalyst

Not anytime soon unfortunatly. I believe Dan mentioned it in a comment a few days ago, but it looks like we are going to be average or above average in temps at least well towards Valentine's day.

Have to agree with jay4811 on this one. This one was missed by all. And, it came at the worst time as there were numerous accidents at the outer suburbs/exurbs.

The roads in DC and Silver Spring were not just safe, they were almost dry. If *I* wasn't worried driving in it, you know it's safe!

Yep, the big question...how long does this weekend blowtorch last, and will we be able to set up for met. winter's last big fling in time for President's Day??? Let's hold the rain weenies back for a little while yet...

Prelims set up a low in East Texas next Tuesday/Wednesday, but the weather will likely be too warm for anything wintry. We might even start seeing the early crocuses.

This weekend, I'm planning a trail hike.

Every day in Feb it's above 50 is a good day in my book. Looking forward to getting the vehicles cleaned up this weekend and going for a bike ride. I hope spring has sprung so I can drag the trailer down to Assateague for a few days later this month.

Instability snow showers are developing over the area. Lots of virga visible here from near the National Mall, downtown...

Looking at some of the long term models, looks like we'll get cold again sometime after the 14th, with a series of low pressures over the next several days. May not be cold enough though...

Yep, Cameron. Same thing at 14th & I, NW. A few quick snow showers have blown through over the past 30 minutes. Just enough to cut down on productivity . . .