The National Weather Service (NWS) is now expecting a trace to around half an inch of snow across much of Maryland and Northern Virginia. If this light snow materializes, it could begin between 8pm and 10pm tonight and continue into the early morning hours, ending sometime between 2am and 5am tomorrow (Wednesday) morning.
Montgomery County Public Schools remained closed Monday, February 2, citing ongoing safety concerns tied to snow and ice removal following last week’s winter weather. MCPS said cleanup has been slow, noting that Monday marks the first day temperatures are expected to rise above freezing after nine consecutive days below that mark.
The National Weather Service (NWS) is expecting a light snowfall across much of Maryland and Northern Virginia Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning, with expected snowfall maps showing around half an inch of snow (a 10% chance of higher end totals can reach an inch, per the map below).
When the decision was made on Thursday to close schools for Friday, Jan. 30, Montgomery County Public Schools also shared early guidance about the start of the following week.
Many school districts across Maryland and Northern Virginia either closed or opened late every day last week, something NBC4 meteorologist Chuck Bell warned about ahead of last weekend’s winter storm. Now, NBC4 meteorologist Amelia Draper is offering an updated look at the week ahead, asking the question many families are wondering: will schools open next week?
Dangerously cold conditions are expected across the region this weekend, with the National Weather Service warning that wind chills will drop well below zero during overnight hours.
According to the National Weather Service, a Cold Weather Advisory is in effect from 8 p.m. this evening through 11 a.m. Saturday. In addition, an Extreme Cold Watch has been issued for Saturday night. Wind chills as low as 5 degrees below zero are expected, creating hazardous conditions for anyone spending time outdoors.
A powerful winter storm is expected to intensify rapidly along the Southeast coast this weekend, bringing major impacts to parts of the Carolinas and southern Virginia, but it now appears likely to largely miss the DC Metro area and much of Maryland.
The National Weather Service is urging drivers and pedestrians across Maryland and Virginia to stay alert for black ice as cold conditions continue.
The NWS warned that areas of black ice have already been reported this morning and cautioned that hazardous conditions can develop quickly and without warning. Officials say black ice will remain a daily concern as long as snowpack remains on the ground and temperatures stay near or below freezing.
Take a look below at an assortment of old school Maryland, Montgomery County, and DC Metro Area commercials we found on YouTube from the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and early 2000’s!
This weekend’s winter storm is shaping up to be a significant system for parts of the East Coast, but at this point, it is likely to remain just far enough offshore to limit impacts in central Maryland (including Montgomery County) and northern Virginia.
With cleanup efforts still underway from recent winter weather, the National Weather Service is flagging a potential curveball for parts of Maryland and Northern Virginia. Forecasters say there is a 20-30 percent chance for light snow Wednesday afternoon into the evening, which could coincide with the evening commute.