Northern Virginia Weekend Weather: Snow Storm Looms

STERLING, VA—Northern Virginia's weekend weather forecast call for a super-cold start followed by snow on Sunday. As often is the case in these parts, exactly how much is a trickier call than whether to go for it on a 4th-and-1. That's the word from various outlets, including the National Weather Service's local headquarters in Sterling.

Friday night's lows are expected to dip below 20 but the winds finally will begin to subside. Saturday welcomes sunshine with temperatures slightly above freezing. Then comes the specter of snowfall on Sunday.

Forecasters say they expect snow in the morning but for how long? Here's the take of the Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang: "Expect most of the D.C. area to switch to a sleet/ice mix by late morning. Ground temperatures may be cold enough for areas of slick, hazardous travel."

Here's the detailed forecast from the National Weather Service:

Friday Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 17. Northwest wind 11 to 16 mph decreasing to 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 24 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 35. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday Night: Cloudy, with a low around 29. South wind 8 to 10 mph.

Sunday: Snow likely before 11am, then snow, freezing rain, and sleet between 11am and 2pm, then rain, freezing rain, and sleet after 2pm. High near 39. South wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. New snow and sleet accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Sunday Night: Rain, mainly before 11pm. Low around 32. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 5 to 8 mph in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

And here's an early look at the week ahead:

Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 38. Breezy.

Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26.

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45.

Tuesday Night: A chance of rain after 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Wednesday: Rain likely, mainly after 8am. Cloudy, with a high near 54. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Wednesday Night: Rain and snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Thursday: A chance of rain and snow. Mostly sunny, with a high near 39. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 26.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 42.

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