Major winter storm to bring heavy snow and dangerous cold to DC this weekend

A major winter storm is set to impact the DC region this weekend, potentially bringing the heaviest snowfall the area has seen in over ten years. Forecasters are warning residents to prepare for significant accumulation, dangerous wind chills, and travel disruptions as a system moves through the Mid-Atlantic on Sunday and into Monday.

The storm arrives during an unusually cold pattern that will lock in place across the region, creating conditions more typical of the northern Great Plains than the Mid-Atlantic. Temperatures are expected to struggle to reach 20 degrees Fahrenheit on Sunday, with wind chills approaching zero degrees.

Background

The DC area has experienced a relatively quiet decade for snow since the 2016 blizzard known as Snowzilla or Jonas. In the years since, only three seasons have produced above-average snowfall, and the region has not received a foot of snow from a single storm event since 2016, though January 2019 did see widespread totals exceeding a foot.

The setup for this weekend's storm is unusual in its clarity. A shortwave system moving over California will merge with a low-pressure system coming off Baja, creating what meteorologists call a massive precipitation shield. This interaction will allow heavy snow to develop across a wide area, with parts of New Mexico and Maryland potentially seeing snow at the same time.

"I truly believe this has the potential to be the biggest storm the city has seen in a decade. Might even exceed it." – Logan Giles, weather forecaster

Record-breaking high pressure will sit over the Upper Plains and Midwest late this week, bringing extremely cold air into the region. This same high-pressure system will keep the snow swath locked in place, preventing the storm from shifting north as sometimes happens with winter weather systems.

Key Details

Snowfall Expectations

Forecasters are calling for at least plowable snowfall across the region, with the potential for a foot or more. This represents the best chance for over a foot of snow the area has seen in a decade. Locations further south are expected to see more significant accumulation than the DC area itself.

The difference between the models and actual snowfall will depend on the amount of liquid precipitation that falls. If 1.1 inches of liquid falls on Sunday, that would translate to approximately 20 inches of snow given the very cold, dry conditions expected.

Storm Timing

Snow is expected to begin sometime Saturday afternoon or evening and continue through Monday morning or early afternoon. Most of the accumulation will occur on Sunday. Forecasters emphasized that timing details should become clearer by Thursday as models continue to refine their predictions.

Temperature and Wind Chill

Sunday could see temperatures struggle to reach 20 degrees Fahrenheit, which would mark the first time since January 22, 2014 that such cold has occurred. Wind chills are expected to reach near zero degrees, creating dangerous conditions for anyone spending extended time outdoors. Frostbite risk will be very real during these periods.

The cold will persist after the storm passes. Snow accumulated during the weekend is expected to remain through the entire week and potentially into the following weekend, with black ice becoming a concern at night.

Regional Variations

Areas north of Interstate 80 may have a harder time accumulating plowable snow. A major ice storm is also expected to impact areas further south, particularly North Carolina, where residents should prepare accordingly.

What This Means

Travel will likely be significantly impacted, particularly on Sunday when the heaviest snow is expected. Schools across the region face possible closures, though such decisions typically come after forecasts become more certain.

Residents should prepare now by stocking essential supplies, ensuring heating systems are functioning properly, and making travel plans with the expectation of difficult conditions. The combination of heavy snow, ice, and extreme cold creates hazardous conditions that will persist well beyond the storm's end.

The dry nature of the snow, caused by the extremely cold temperatures, will make it easier to shovel but more difficult for traditional winter activities like building snowmen or snowballs. However, the severity of the cold means most people will want to limit time spent outdoors.

Forecasters stressed that while confidence in a significant snow event remains unusually high for a storm five days out, residents should wait for updates through Thursday before finalizing plans. The potential for this to be a historic storm for the region remains real, making preparation and caution the prudent course of action.