The frigid air mass sitting over the region will remain in place into the weekend, said Storm Team 4 meteorologist Tom Kierein Wednesday.
But a slight change is on the way: Overnight Wednesday, a weak area of low pressure will sweep through from the Northwest, bringing a chance of some light snow that could stick and create some slick spots on untreated surfaces due to the cold.
It's a very narrow system that could drop up to an inch of very light and fluffy snow in parts of the area, particularly southern Maryland and around Fredericksburg, Va., between midnight and 9 a.m., Storm Team 4 meteorologist Veronica Johnson said. The mountains could get some snow, too.
A winter weather advisory was issued for parts of the region from midnight until 9 a.m. -- a decision based on the timing of the snow, not the amount, Storm Team 4 Chief Meteorologist Doug Kammerer said.
“Normally a winter weather advisory is not issued unless we are expecting 2-4 inches of snow,” Kammerer said. “We’re not expecting anywhere close to that -- this is going to be about half an inch to an inch – but in this case, it’s coming right around rush hour, and because of that timing and the possibility of an inch of snow, that’s why the National Weather Service has issued that winter weather advisory.”
The District Snow Team will deploy about 190 plows at 10 p.m. Wednesday and pretreat major streets, bridges, elevated structures with a brine and beet juice mixture to help prevent snow from sticking.
Expect gusty conditions Thursday with high temperatures between 25 and 30 degrees.
There will be another chance of some light snow Friday afternoon into Friday night.
Into next week, a warm up is on the way, with afternoon temperatures likely reaching the 40s starting Monday.
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Photo Credit: AP