Key Takeaways
- The D.C. region has seen its first measurable snowfall in December since 2017, with flurries falling and a wintry storm blanketing the area.
- The snowfall has impacted driving conditions, with many school systems delaying or canceling classes and roadways becoming slick during the morning commute.
- Temperatures are expected to remain cold, with highs in the low to mid 30s and lows in the 20s, and icy roads are a concern moving forward.
- Drivers are urged to limit their time on the roads, drive slowly and carefully, and report icy spots to the authorities.
- The National Weather Service has lifted its winter weather advisory for the D.C. area, and conditions are expected to stay cloudy and overcast throughout the day.
Introduction to the Snowfall
The D.C. region has seen its first measurable snowfall in December since 2017, with flurries falling and a wintry storm blanketing the area. The surge of cold air overnight brought temperatures into the low 20s and ushered in the first snow of the season early Friday morning. According to WTOP Meteorologist Mike Stinneford, snowy conditions will taper off to flurries and freezing drizzle by early afternoon. The snowfall has impacted driving conditions across the D.C. region, with many school systems delaying or canceling classes.
Snowfall Accumulations
The snowfall accumulations varied across the region, with some areas receiving more snow than others. By 7:30 a.m., Stinneford reported 2 inches of snow had fallen in Spotsylvania County’s White Oak area, with 1 inch recorded in Virginia’s Culpeper and Front Royal regions. In the immediate D.C. metro, widespread reports indicate about a half-inch of snow. Some unofficial snow totals from around the D.C. region, according to the National Weather Service, include Gaithersburg, Maryland, with 1.5 inches, Silver Spring, Maryland, with 0.8 inch, Centreville, Virginia, with 1 inch, and Leesburg, Virginia, with 1.1 inch.
Driving Conditions and Preparations
The snowfall has impacted driving conditions, with many roadways becoming slick during the morning commute. Ahead of the storm, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser activated the District Snow Team, which began salting streets on major roadways Thursday night. Warnique West, a snow coordinator with the D.C. Department of Public Works, urged drivers to limit their time on the roads and drive slowly and carefully. West also advised drivers to give snowplows and salt trucks plenty of space, at least six feet, to allow them to spread salt effectively. In Maryland, delays were reported Friday morning in both directions of Interstate 270, between Urbana and Rockville, in addition to several crashes.
Virginia’s Response to the Snowfall
In Virginia, officials urged drivers to be cautious as they hit the roads. Alex Liggitt, the communications manager with Virginia’s Department of Transportation, told WTOP that despite pretreatment efforts to major roadways ahead of the snowfall, "there are a fair number of roads out there that have become snow covered." Liggitt warned that icy roads were a concern moving forward and asked drivers to report icy roads through VDOT’s website. The National Weather Service lifted its winter weather advisory for the D.C. area at around noon, and conditions are expected to stay cloudy and overcast throughout the day.
Looking Ahead to the Weekend
Looking ahead to the weekend, temperatures are expected to dip once again by nightfall, with icy roads a concern. However, officials believe roads should resume normal conditions by Saturday, as high temperatures are forecast for the 40s. The sun is expected to make a slight return on Saturday, although the day will be cold, with temperatures starting in the 20s and hitting a high in the low 40s. According to the National Weather Service, the high pressure moving in will keep the weekend dry and seasonably cool. The forecast for the weekend includes partly to mostly cloudy skies, with highs in the 40s and lows in the 20s and 30s.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the D.C. region has seen its first measurable snowfall in December since 2017, with flurries falling and a wintry storm blanketing the area. The snowfall has impacted driving conditions, and drivers are urged to limit their time on the roads, drive slowly and carefully, and report icy spots to the authorities. As the region looks ahead to the weekend, temperatures are expected to remain cold, but conditions are expected to stay dry and seasonably cool.