Forecasters say we can expect to see 1 to 3 inches of snow for the D.C. region Friday, the most significant snowfall the area has seen in two years.
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Early Friday storm means snowy roads, single digit wind chills for the morning commute
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Early Friday storm means snowy roads, single digit wind chills for the morning commute
Listen live to WTOP for the latest traffic and weather on the 8s.
Snow has already coated the D.C. region Friday morning, leading to closures and delays. Here’s what you need to know.
Snow totals reached over two inches in Ashburn and Leesburg in Virginia by 6 a.m. Snow totals in Alexandria reached 2.1 inches, while Columbia and Laurel in Maryland reached 3.5 and 2.9 inches respectively.
Forecasters say we can expect to see two to four inches of snow for the D.C. region Friday, adding to the most significant snowfall the area has seen in two years.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for portions of central Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia. The advisory will last until 7 p.m.
“As snow continues to come down across the region, there will be some lows in the action before it tapers off this afternoon but some heavier pockets at times as well,” 7News First Alert Meteorologist Brian van de Graaff said.
A winter storm warning has also been issued until 7 p.m. in portions of central Maryland and northern Virginia, including Loudoun County in Virginia and Montgomery County in Maryland, where the weather service said snow could reach six inches.
“Snow will continue through the mid-afternoon with accumulating snow tapering off between 3-4 p.m.,” van de Graaff said.
Powdery snow creates slick conditions on roads
The powdery snow has already made its impact on D.C.-area roadways.
U.S. Park Police shut down the George Washington Parkway from the Capital Beltway to Spout Run Parkway a little after 6 a.m., with both directions closed due to hazardous driving conditions in the ongoing snow.
According to Domen, the busiest roads have gotten a lot better as Route 1 through Alexandria and Interstate 395 have been cleared of snow, which makes it easier to drive on.
“You’re still gonna skid some depending on when you break and what the road is like at that spot there,” said Domen. “But with traffic so much lighter you do have a little bit more grace on the road too.”
WTOP reporter Steve Dresner reported earlier Friday there were two separate incidents where vehicles took the exit ramps too fast in Montgomery County, Maryland, adding that visibility is becoming an issue.
He said that by 4 a.m. in Gaithersburg secondary streets, along with portions of I-270, were snow-packed, which translated into challenging driving conditions.
“If you don’t need to be out, please stay at home,” Dresner said.
7News First Alert Meteorologist Brian van de Graaff agreed, telling drivers to “try to limit your time on the roads that could be slick for sure.”
WMATA also announced that Metrobus is operating on a moderate snow plan, with some routes suspended and others taking detours around roads with hazardous conditions. The transit agency also said the snow may cause delays and increase wait times for buses.
How much more snow are we going to get?
A low-pressure system will start to intensify quickly throughout the day, meaning that the region will get two to four inches of snow, with a possible bullseye forming around the area, according to WTOP meteorologist Lauryn Ricketts.
The highest concentration of snow is forecast in Loudoun County, Northern Virginia and northern Maryland, which could get four to five inches of snow and lead to low visibility.
“This over performance of snowfall intensity rates is something we’ll continue to monitor through the remainder of the morning and into the early afternoon,”…
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