NoVa Snowstorm Alert: Snow Is Falling, Advisories Update

WASHINGTON, DC — Snow began falling mid-afternoon Saturday in the D.C. area, and just before 5 p.m. the National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory for the Washington region. Over the next several hours, you can expect a snowy, rainy mess that could lead to a few inches to the north and west of D.C., and one to two inches of snow in the immediate D.C. area.

A Winter Weather Advisory for wet snow means periods of wet snow will cause primarily travel difficulties. Be prepared for snow covered roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving, the Weather Service says. The latest road conditions are available by calling 5 1 1.

Communities included in the weather advisory are: The District of Columbia, Fairfax, Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria and Loudoun County.

It looks like the best time to avoid the roads will be between 5 and 7 p.m., when snow will start causing visibility issues, tweets Fox 5's Mike Thomas.

"There is 'thump' potential around D.C. where heavy snow could give us a couple inches, but I'm leaning more towards the <1" range," Thomas tweeted. "Snow will melt pretty quickly otherwise."

The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang describes this as a "quick-hitting storm," with most of the intensity happening from late afternoon through mid-evening. The snow feels a little bizarre because temperatures are currently near 40, but those temps will dip allowing for some accumulation (before quickly rising again and causing any snow that stuck around to immediately melt).

The National Weather Service has added Baltimore City to the winter weather advisory, but the D.C. area -- including Fairfax County, Prince George's County, and most of Montgomery County -- is not included in that advisory.

So stay indoors if you can and wait for this one to blow through. After that, it's going to be toasty. We might even have record warmth this upcoming week.

150p: Wintry mix overspreading DMV. Radar shows rain but reports show snow & sleet. Temps above 32, so melting. pic.twitter.com/jjvZH4gkuu
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) February 17, 2018

Baltimore City has been added to the winter weather advisory. Snow & sleet are overspreading the region and may come down heavily for a short while late this afternoon and early this evening. Use caution if out and about, esp. if roads start to become slushy and snow covered! pic.twitter.com/O6vVS9Nktw
— NWS DC/Baltimore (@NWS_BaltWash) February 17, 2018

Image via National Parks Service