Updates: The snow sometimes falls heavily; turning into sleet and rain this afternoon and this evening

* Winter Storm Warning for most of the region today | Winter weather forecast for southern Maryland | School closure and delays *

Key points

• Snow came from the south and west around 4:30 to 6:30 am and is moderate to strong sometimes this morning, with reduced visibility and dangerous roads.
• The snow should accumulate at least a few inches during the morning, with 2 to 4 inches expected in the immediate metropolitan area, 3 to 6 when you head north and west of the Beltway and 1 to 3 when you you head south and east of the ring road. A heavier initial gust or a change to slush later than expected may exceed these totals, while a lighter initial gust or earlier conversion to slush could be less than these totals (see map). snowfall forecast below).
• The snow should turn into melted snow at midday as the warmer air arrives in the middle of the atmosphere. The exact timing of this transition is uncertain, but our best estimate is 10 am to 1 pm, from south to north. Precipitation may become lighter for some time as this occurs.
• A freezing rain period is possible from mid-afternoon to early evening, unless you head south and east of the Beltway, where precipitation is expected to turn into a regular rain. Freezing rain could freeze trees and cause power outages, particularly to the north and west of the Beltway (see Glacial Potential Map below).
• Rainfall is expected to turn into rain throughout the southern north from late afternoon to evening when temperatures rise above freezing. But residual school delays and perhaps some closures are possible on Thursday, especially north and west of the district.

Updates

8:25 – Abundant snow occasionally before the transition from noon to slush

As the snow continues to accumulate, with a report of "flakes the size of a hamster" under a particularly strong snow band, we expect the expected transition from snow to slush. The modeling was quite consistent on what happened late in the morning in the early afternoon, from 10am to 1pm. from south to north, as shown in the model simulation below. It's hard to pin down inside this window, but we seem to be in the process of reaching the expected snowpack, whether the tipping happened sooner or later.

7:35 – Remember that it is a storm in several phases, so enjoy the snowy period

This is the fun phase of the snow, the region of D.C. now turning into a beautiful winter wonderland. Some spots are already approaching half an inch to an inch, with the Dulles airport signaling 1.5 inches. Enjoy this phase. Because the snow should begin to freeze late this morning at the beginning of the afternoon, possibly with a period of freezing rain eventually, then plain. It does not seem so fun. Here are some snowy photos that we can turn to when it turns into slopfest later today …

6:45 am – The snow begins to cover the roads, the strongest being forecast to the north and west of D.C.

A traffic camera audit indicates that most highways are still wet so far, but snow has begun to cover secondary roads and many of the region's major roads, particularly to the south and west of the Beltway , where the snow started earlier. We expect the state of the roads to continue to deteriorate throughout the region over the next two hours as snow continues and temperatures drop further. The National Weather Service Center's (SSC) Storm Prediction Center (SSC) expects the heaviest snow around midday to appear to the west and northwest of the BC. C., as shown below. "Snow rates are expected to increase in the range of 1 to 2 inches / hour by mid-morning with a possible shift to slush from south to north", says the CPS.

5:55 – The snow moves on, starts to stick gradually

The snow arrived from the south and from the west at the estimated time since about an hour. Part of it melts on the road with temperatures starting around 32-34. But as the snow starts to warm up, temperatures are expected to drop by a few degrees, helping to increase buildup on all surfaces. Up to now, the forecasts below seem on track. In this morning's additional updates, take a closer look at the expected snow accumulations and the timing of the slush this morning and at noon.

Original position

DAILY NUMBER TODAY

Somewhat subjective evaluation of the time that he does on the day, on a scale of 0 to 10.

5/10: Enjoy the snow this morning, before it turns into a mess wet with rain and rain this afternoon.

EXPRESS FORECAST

Today & # 39; hui: Accumulation of snow, then ice to rain. Tops: down 30.

Tonight: Evening rain, freezing rain north and west. Low: low in the middle of the thirties.

Tomorrow: Early shower? Becoming partially sunny. Tops: from the top of the 40s to the middle of the 50s.

See it current weather at the Washington Post headquarters.

FORECAST IN DETAIL

Despite some uncertainty about the exact accumulation of snow – and precisely when this morning's snow will go into freezing rain, then eventually freezing rain, then rain – the overall impact of this storm is not really questioned. Roads may present dangerous road conditions throughout the morning, with gradual improvement from south to north later this afternoon until evening. But it was only after a period of slush and freezing rain that covered parts of the region, mainly to the north and west of British Columbia, with a layer of ice at the time of construction. 'afternoon. The worst icing and potential for scattered power outages are north and west of the Beltway.

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Today (Wednesday): The snow may fall in moderate to heavy amounts, eventually mingling with slush, with at least a few centimeters of accumulation throughout the morning (see Snowfall Forecast Map below). The snow should be thick enough to create dangerous road conditions, with temperatures ranging from 20 to 30 degrees (from north-west to south-east). We expect the snow to dissipate from south to north around 10:00 to 13:00, with perhaps a little more rainfall during this period. A freezing rain period is then possible from mid-afternoon to early evening, mainly around the Beltway heading north and west, with rains south and east. Trust: Medium-High

Tonight: Freezing rain and slush should turn into driving rain from south to north from late afternoon to evening, as road conditions improve, the areas the longest dwelling north and west of the Beltway (see map of ice potential previously). Everyone should be above freezing point before midnight, with the exception of our northern and western suburbs, where temperatures can fluctuate around the freezing point. The rain ends in the night with temperatures around 30 years. Trust: Way

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Tomorrow (Thursday): Some school delays and closures are possible. But overall, it's not bad for the day after the winter storm. After a cloudy start and perhaps a persistent downpour in the early morning, the sky becomes partially sunny in the afternoon, while the peaks reach 40 to 50 years. Just a little breeze from west-northwest. Trust: Medium-High

Tomorrow evening: High pressure is installed from the west, although a transient shower is possible. We should stay partly cloudy, with minimums in the 30s and low winds. Trust: Medium-High

TO MONITOR

Just a small chance to shower during the day Friday, with a partly cloudy sky and peaks near 50, the high pressure preventing a system from hiding in our southwest. The chances of a shower increase Friday evening while the minimums fall in the 30s. Trust: Medium-High

Rain is likely Saturday Saturday night, with peaks in the 40s and temperatures remaining relatively stable all night. Another chance of showers Sunday morning, but then sweeter and windier in the afternoon while peaks aim for the sweetest 60 years. Trust: Lower average

POTENTIAL SNOW INDEX

A daily assessment of the potential of at least 1 inch of snow in the coming week, on a scale of 0 to 10.

9/10 (→): At least a few inches of snow are expected in most of the region this morning. The next chance of anything winter looks like at least a week from now.