Clear skies and temperatures around 43°F at Ronald Reagan National Airport early Saturday are setting up a calm start to the weekend. A partly sunny afternoon is expected, with a high near 51°F and light northwest winds, a relatively quiet day before a coastal low begins to move in.
That coastal low tracking up the East Coast will bring rain that may change to snow across the region late Sunday into Monday. Weather watches are already posted for parts of the area, and mariners are being urged to watch for increasing winds as the system approaches.
Timing And Impacts
Rain is likely early on Sunday, February 22, with a rain and snow mix developing through the afternoon and the main window for accumulating snow late Sunday night into Monday morning. Forecasters note a narrow corridor of stronger lift that could produce widespread 2–5 inches of snow north of I-66/US-50, with higher amounts possible east of I-95 and over the higher terrain; northwest gusts up to 25–40 mph are expected Monday and Gale Watches are posted for the bay, according to the National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington.
Who’s Most At Risk
The eastern suburbs and the coastal plain, roughly the corridor east of I-95, are where the storm is most likely to snarl the morning commute. Higher elevations in western Maryland and the Alleghenies are favored for the highest totals and the strongest winds, where travel may become difficult.
Commuter Tips
Expect slower buses, possible detours and rail delays during the Sunday night–Monday morning window; check the WMATA snow page and MetroAlerts before you travel. Secure outdoor furniture, charge phones, and allow extra time Monday morning, since wet, heavy snow combined with gusty winds raises the risk of downed branches and short outages.
Check forecasts again Sunday morning for any upgrades to warnings and possible school or agency announcements. We will update here as watches or warnings are refined.
