As Arlington cleans up downed tree branches and power lines from last night’s freezing rain, the region is bracing for another winter storm.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch, saying that 5 or more inches of snow is possible Tuesday. Other forecasters say the snow total is likely to be lower — perhaps 2-3 inches.
From the National Weather Service:
…WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON…
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WATCH…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON.
* PRECIPITATION TYPE…POTENTIAL FOR HEAVY SNOW. THE PRECIPITATION MAY START AS A PERIOD OF SLEET…ESPECIALLY SOUTH OF INTERSTATE 66 IN VIRGINIA…THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA…AND U.S. ROUTE 50 IN MARYLAND.
* ACCUMULATIONS…POTENTIAL FOR FIVE INCHES OR MORE OF SNOW.
* TIMING…NEAR DAWN TUESDAY THROUGH EARLY TUESDAY AFTERNOON…INCLUDING THE TUESDAY MORNING RUSH HOUR.
* TEMPERATURES…UPPER 20S AND LOWER 30S.
* WINDS…NORTH 5 TO 10 MPH.
* IMPACTS…HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS ARE PROBABLE DUE TO ACCUMULATING SNOW…WHICH WILL CAUSE ADVERSE TRAVELING CONDITIONS. THE SNOW WILL LIKELY IMPACT THE MORNING RUSH TUESDAY WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR ACCUMULATION RATES OF 1-2 INCHES PER HOUR FOR A TWO-TO-FOUR HOUR PERIOD FROM DAYBREAK TO MID-TO-LATE MORNING.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT SNOW…SLEET…OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL.