Major Storm Could Drop Sleet, Snow On VA, DC This Week: Forecast

VIRGINIA — The remains of a storm system that has already dumped heavy snows in mountains in the western U.S. will reach D.C. and Northern Virginia late Wednesday, and drop a wintry mix on the roads. The National Weather Service said snow and sleet are in the forecast Wednesday night and Thursday morning commute could be messy.

A major storm taking shape in the central United States Monday through Wednesday is expected to lose intensity as it arrives in the eastern U.S. late in the week, but it could still bring wintry impacts.

"Disruption to travel could be a concern at the end of the week for the same major cities in the Northeast," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tyler Roys warned.

When the precipitation first arrives Wednesday night, it could be a wintry mix, especially west of Interstate 95. On Thursday the precipitation should change to rain. "However, frozen precipitation may last long enough for some accumulation,slippery roads and delays in upper Montgomery, Loudoun and Frederick counties and locations to the west," The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang said.

Northern Virginia drivers should expect snow and sleet Wednesday night, likely after 1 a.m., the weather service said. There is a 90 percent chance of rain mixed with snow before 7 a.m. Thursday, then rain.

Here is the DC/Northern Virginia forecast from the National Weather Service:

Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 45. North wind 9 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. North wind around 7 mph.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 43. North wind around 7 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 25. Light northwest wind.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 41. North wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night: Rain and sleet likely, possibly mixed with snow, mainly after 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 33. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Thursday: Rain likely, possibly mixed with snow before 7am, then rain. High near 43. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Thursday Night: Rain, mainly before 1am. Low around 41. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Friday: A chance of rain before 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 48. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34.