Weekend Storm Targeting VA To Bring Rain, Possible Wintry Mix

An incoming storm could dampen Valentine's Day weekend plans in Virginia, bringing widespread rain and a possible wintry mix to the D.C. region, according to the latest forecasts.

The storm, which pummeled California with rain and mountain snow earlier this week, is expected to shift east later this week and could track in a way that brings snow, ice and rain to part of the northeastern United States this weekend, AccuWeather wrote in its latest forecast.

"While there is not a large area of Arctic air to the north, there is enough cold air for some precipitation to be snow and ice," AccuWeather Senior Director of Forecasting Operations Dan DePodwin said. "At this time, the greatest risk for any snow and ice will be from the mid-Atlantic into southern portions of New England."

While the exact timing, track and strength of the storm are uncertain, National Weather Service forecasters said the system is most likely to impact Virginia on Sunday into Monday.

As the storm advances into Northern Virginia, it could briefly bring a wintry mix to the region, especially north and west of the Beltway, The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang said in its latest forecast.

A bulk of the precipitation on Sunday will likely be rain, according to NWS forecasters. There's a chance that up to an inch of rain could fall, especially in areas to the south.

"If higher rainfall values are realized, especially in areas with residual snow pack and icy rivers, there could be some localized flooding issues," the National Weather Service wrote. "The system should be exiting the area by Monday morning."

Once the storm exits the state, Virginians can expect a surge of warm weather with temperatures reaching the 50s by Monday and nearing 60 degrees by Wednesday.

Here's a look at the detailed forecast through the weekend:

Thursday: Scattered flurries before 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. Northwest wind around 17 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 25. Northwest wind 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 40. Northwest wind 8 to 11 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29. Calm wind becoming southwest around 6 mph after midnight.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 53. West wind 6 to 8 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35.

Sunday: Rain likely, mainly after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 46. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday Night: Rain likely, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 51.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.

Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 54.