Icy NoVa, DC Weather Forecast For Monday PM Commute

WASHINGTON, DC — With the Monday forecast calling for freezing rain or rain that freezes once it hits the ground, the National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory to give northern Virginia and Washington commuters a heads up. Temperatures will be around freezing, so roads could ice over, according to officials.

A glaze of ice is possible on roads, sidewalks and bridges, according to weather officials. Periods of freezing rain are expected to cause travel difficulties. During a winter weather advisory for freezing rain, drivers should slow down and be prepared for slippery roads, and pedestrians should exercise caution.

A winter weather advisory is effective from 3 to 9 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 8, for these areas: District of Columbia, Nelson, Albemarle, Greene, Madison, Rappahannock, Culpeper, Prince William, Manassas, Manassas Park, Fairfax, Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria, Fauquier, Loudoun and Blue Ridge.

A wintry mix expected, with either freezing rain or rain that will freeze on contact with very cold ground surfaces. The ice will result in very slippery conditions on sidewalks, roads and bridges, including during the evening commute on Monday, the weather service says. Total ice accumulations of a light glaze are expected.

Even if temperatures rise above freezing, the ground and other surfaces are still extremely cold due to the recent Arctic blast. This increases the likelihood of a glaze of ice on surfaces.

"This could lead to dangerous traveling conditions, multiple accidents, and extensive delays," the NWS says.

Significant disruptions to the Monday afternoon and evening commute are possible if freezing rain materializes, weather officials advise, emphasizing that so far the threat is not a sure thing but a possibility.
Drivers are advised to plan ahead by giving themselves extra travel time, and the National Weather Service recommends using public transportation and telework options if possible.

The potentially hazardous commuting conditions apply to those in Prince William, Manassas, Manassas Park, Fairfax, Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Fauquier, Loudoun, Dale City, Woodbridge, Lake Ridge, Montclair, Reston, Herndon, Annandale, Centreville, Chantilly, McLean, Franconia, Falmouth, Fredericksburg, Warrenton, Turnbull, Purcellville, Leesburg, Ashburn, and Sterling, as well as the District of Columbia.

Afternoon highs on Monday should reach the mid- to upper 30s, but a light wintry mix is possible as a cold front comes through. "Even with air temperatures probably above freezing, some slick spots are possible because ground temperatures may still be near or a bit below freezing," says The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang.

Starting Tuesday, high temperatures are expected to be above freezing through the end of the week, perhaps even hitting 61 degrees on Friday. The January thaw is a welcome change after the holiday deep freeze. The low temperature of 11 degrees on Saturday morning at Reagan National Airport was lower than any reading there since at least Jan. 1, 2016, the Weather Gang reports.

Check the forecast from the National Weather Service.

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