Northern Virginia Weather: Winter Storm Warning Issued

STERLING, VA—Northern Virginia's weekend weather forecast is succinctly summed up in two words: cold and snow. That's the word from the National Weather Service and other area forecasting outlets. The approaching snow storm that has prompted various warnings and advisories actually has a name: Winter Storm Gia.

As to when the snow will start, there's this from the Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang: "Flakes should start to reach the surface by mid- to late (Saturday) afternoon, with accumulation probably starting pretty fast." Lows both days should be in the 20s, with highs just a bit above freezing.

The winter storm warning—from 4 p.m. Saturday to 1 p.m. Sunday—is for the southern and western portions of our area, and a winter weather advisory for the central and northern portions. Specifically, the winter weather advisory is for the District, Alexandria, Arlington, Falls Church, Fairfax County and Loudoun County. The winter storm warning is for Prince William/Manassas/Manassas Park, Stafford, Norther Fauquier and Southern Fauquier counties.

From AAA: "Be prepared for accumulating snow and hell to pay on area roadways. In all her mischief and fury, Gia, a freak of nature, could drop three to five inches of snow inside the Beltway."

The detailed forecast from the National Weather Service's home office in Sterling is below. But check out this other pertinent data about the approaching system:

Click here for the latest road conditions.

Click here for VDOT's snow plow tracker.

Click here tips from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.

Friday Night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 26. Northwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming calm after midnight.

Saturday: A chance of snow, mainly after 2pm. Cloudy, with a high near 33. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Saturday Night: Snow. Low around 29. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Sunday: Snow, mainly before 11am. High near 34. Northeast wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Sunday Night: A chance of snow, mainly before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. North wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday: A slight chance of snow before 8am, then a slight chance of snow showers between 8am and 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 36. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 23.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 42.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 27.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 44.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29.

Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 40.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30.

Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45.

Patch graphic/Photo by Patch staff; graphic courtesy of the National Weather Service.