Winter Weather Advisories have expanded to include Frederick County, Maryland and eastern Loudoun County, Virginia, as forecasters continue to track a narrow band of snow expected to impact the region overnight into Sunday morning.
According to the National Weather Service, a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect from midnight tonight through 10 a.m. Sunday for the District of Columbia, much of central, northern, and southern Maryland, and parts of northern Virginia. The advisory now includes areas farther northwest as confidence has increased that snow will extend into Frederick County and eastern Loudoun.
Per the NWS, “Snow [is] expected. Total snow accumulations between 1 and 3 inches.” Forecasters note that precipitation may briefly start as rain in some locations this evening before quickly changing to snow. A narrow band of heavier snow could develop late this evening and overnight, potentially leading to faster accumulations and visibility dropping below one half mile at times. Slippery road conditions are expected, particularly for the Sunday morning commute.
NBC4 chief meteorologist Doug Kammerer says the latest data shows the snow reaching farther northwest than earlier forecasts suggested. “Yes, the latest data now says areas near Frederick could see over 2 inches of snow,” Kammerer said. “Heads up tomorrow morning and be ready for the cold tomorrow too.”
The Capital Weather Gang has also nudged snowfall expectations upward, especially east of the Blue Ridge. Their latest outlook calls for 1 to 2 inches around the Beltway, with a higher chance of a “boom” scenario of 2 to 5 inches than a “bust” of less than 1 inch. Farther northeast toward Annapolis and Baltimore, totals of 2 to 4 inches are now expected.
Snow is forecast to taper off by mid-morning Sunday, but cold air behind the system will linger through the day. Drivers and anyone with early Sunday plans are encouraged to allow extra time, use caution on untreated roads, and stay tuned for updates as the final placement of the heavier snow band becomes clearer overnight.
