WASHINGTON – A weekend winter storm that’s expected to bring significant snow accumulations to parts of Maryland and Virginia will bring mostly rain to the immediate D.C. metro area.
But if the conditions were slightly different, all that rain would have brought the nation’s capital a substantial snowfall.
FOX 5’s Tucker Barnes says we’re expecting approximately an inch of rain Saturday in the District. If that same amount of rain were to have fallen as snow, we could be looking at between 6 and 10 inches of accumulation, he said.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said the rain to snow ratio can vary from two inches for sleet to nearly fifty inches for very dry, powdery snow under certain conditions.
“This snow event is like the Commanders’ season,” Tucker said. “It starts promising and ends with a thud!”
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Expected snow accumulations in Washington, D.C., Maryland & Virginia
While that’s definitely the case in the District, parts of Maryland and Virginia to the north and west of the city could see upwards of five inches of snow and one-quarter inch of ice.
But be patient, winter weather lovers! Tucker says there are indications that a more wintry pattern could commence in the nation’s capital by the end of January!
Snow Forecast: Quick burst of snow across DC metro Saturday morning before a rapid transition to a mix then rain. Snow will linger longer well NW of DC where highest snow totals are expected. Some icing possible as well in the mountains. pic.twitter.com/nkKloNHZQG
— Tucker Barnes (@TuckerFox5) January 5, 2024
JUST IN: A WInter Storm Warning (PInk) and Winter Weather Advisories (Purple) now in effect for region NW of DC for Saturday. Significant (5″+ of snow) and possible icing possible in warned area. Some accumulations of snow expected in Advised region. pic.twitter.com/vQBVN3dCXG
— Tucker Barnes (@TuckerFox5) January 5, 2024