Rain to Snow: DMV Faces Significant Accumulation

The DC NewsNow weather team has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the DMV area, anticipated to last through Monday morning. This upcoming winter storm will present a unique challenge, starting as rain across much of the region before transitioning to snow. Precipitation is expected to develop from west to east late Saturday night and into early Sunday morning.

Initially, temperatures in the mid to upper 30s will result in several hours of rain or a mix of rain and snow for most areas, with minimal accumulation. However, by late Sunday afternoon and evening, colder air will move in, causing the rain to turn into accumulating snow for the entire DMV. Distinct snowfall bands are possible, particularly near the Chesapeake Bay and in the Cumberland Valley.

Snowfall totals will be dependent on elevation, with 2-4 inches expected around the Beltway, 4-6 inches in northern Montgomery County and points north. Higher amounts are predicted near the Chesapeake and along the mountains. The region will experience dry but cold conditions on Monday night into Tuesday. A fast-moving system on Tuesday night could bring more rain and mountain snow before milder air returns later in the week.