VA Snowfall Estimates Increase For Sunday: Latest Forecast

VIRGINIA — Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. will see a double dose of precipitation this weekend, as two winter storms move east, dumping freezing rain and snow across the region, forecasters say.

The odds of snowfall later in the weekend have increased, according to the National Weather Service. The latest forecast indicates as much as 3 inches could in the area on Sunday.

"Accumulating snow is likely on Sunday across the area. The steadiest snow would be between Sunday morning and early Sunday evening," according to the National Weather Service.

As clouds increase and the thermometer drops overnight, there will be a slight chance of rain and snow showers before 10 a.m. on Saturday, followed by rain showers in the afternoon.

"Spotty rain and ice can occur during the first part of Saturday from the mid-Atlantic to New England," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Dombek said. "Most of the spotty precipitation that occurs from Saturday afternoon to Saturday night would be in the form of snow or flurries in the Northeast."

The Capital Weather Gang warned of possible patches of black ice on roads and sidewalks on Friday night with temperatures dropping to the low and mid-20s.

“Still chilly in the morning, but near-normal afternoon highs should feel pretty good under sunny skies. Temperatures reach the upper 30s to low 40s with just a light breeze,” according to the Capital Weather Gang’s forecast for Saturday.

By Sunday, a polar vortex — a stormy ring that typically keeps the coldest air locked up near the North Pole — will settle over Northern Virginia and bring bitter and dangerously cold temperatures to the DC region.

Here is the seven-day forecast from the National Weather Service.

• Friday Night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 28. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
• Saturday: A slight chance of rain and snow showers before 10am, then a chance of rain showers between 10am and 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. South wind 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Saturday Night: A chance of rain and snow between 1am and 4am, then a chance of snow after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 5 to 9 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Sunday: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 32. North wind 9 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
• Sunday Night: A slight chance of snow before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 15. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
• M.L.King Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 21.
• Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 5.
• Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 21.
• Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 4.
• Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 20.
• Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 7.
• Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 33.