National Weather Service Issues Winter Storm Warning for Northern Virginia

National Weather Service map: The area shaded in pink is under a Winter Storm Warning. Map updated at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.

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The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for heavy snow for the entire DC metro area.

The warning includes the entire Northern Virginia region as well as Washington, D.C.

The Winter Storm Warning is in effect from midnight Wednesday until 9 p.m. Thursday.

The National Weather Service forecasts the Northern Virginia area to get anywhere from 4 to 8 inches of snow, along with a trace of ice.

The snowstorm will start tonight with rain, switching to a wintry mix around midnight and then switching over to snow in the early morning hours, according to the weather service forecast. The NWS says Northern Virginia can expect to see snow falling throughout the day on Thursday. Snow will fall most heavily in the area Thursday morning through the afternoon, the forecast says.

Drivers can expect roads to be covered in snow with visibility reduced to one-quarter of a mile at times, the NWS notes. Wind gusts could reach up to 25 MPH. Temperatures will be in the low 30s, dropping into the 20s on Thursday.

A Winter Storm Warning for heavy snow means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Significant amounts of snow are forecast that will make travel dangerous, the NWS warns, adding that residents should only travel in an emergency. If you must travel, NWS advises that you keep a flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.