Washingtonians might see a bit of winter whimsy today with a chance of snow in the forecast, particularly during lunch hours between noon and 4pm. The National Weather Service (NWS) has indicated a 40% chance of precipitation with cloudy skies and a high near 33°F. "A chance of snow, mainly between 1pm and 4pm," reports the NWS, also warning of northeast winds 8 to 10 mph that could give us gusts as high as 21 mph.
For those planning evening escapades, conditions are expected to improve as the sky clears gradually with a low dipping around 19°F. The NWS says to expect "Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing," which could be a small mercy for those commuting or out for the night. However, the cold is not abating anytime soon, with the wind chill expected to make it feel like 29°F in the early hours.
Looking forward to a brighter Tuesday, the sun should make an appearance with mostly sunny skies and a calmer climate, bringing along a high near 37°F. The winds set to calm down further into the evening as Tuesday night promises mostly cloudy conditions and a low hovering around 30°F.
Ahead of midweek, the odds of rain remain slender. On Wednesday, the forecast suggests a slight chance of rain with mostly cloudy skies and a warmer high near 48°F. "A slight chance of rain," says the NWS release, setting the chance of precipitation at 20%. With the wind picking up speed, there could be gusts as high as 24 mph to watch for.
As the weekend approaches, temperatures are on a steady seesaw. We're back to cooler skies by Friday night, with the NWS presenting a 30% chance of rain and snow before the midnight hour ushers in a chance of snow. This precedes a mostly sunny Saturday with a high projected around 35°F, wrapping up the week.
For those navigating the highways or living near the waterways, the NWS has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook, signaling potential for light snow that may disrupt travel, especially during this morning's commute. "There is potential for light snow to move into the southern suburbs of the Washington D.C. area during this morning’s commute, which could lead to slippery travel," the weather service cautions.
Wrapping up, no significant inclement weather is on the near horizon after today's snow flirtations. Spotters, however, are advised to stay vigilant during these winter moments, even as the NWS does not anticipate spotter activation in the imminent days.
