Thundersnow Possible Tonight

Forecasters are warning that a strong cold front could bring snow squalls and even thundersnow to the area tonight (Saturday).

Expect dangerous, rapidly-changing conditions outside as snow, high wind and bitter cold push in from the west.

The National Weather Service has issued the following Special Weather Statement.

… HAZARDOUS WINTER CONDITIONS THIS EVENING…

AN STRONG ARCTIC COLD FRONT WILL MOVE ACROSS THE MID-ATLANTIC THIS EVENING. THROUGH 8 PM EXPECT SNOW SHOWERS AND SQUALLS AND WINDY CONDITIONS AS THE FRONT MOVES THROUGH… ALONG WITH POSSIBLE THUNDERSNOW.

BURSTS OF HEAVY SNOW COULD PRODUCE A QUICK COATING TO AN INCH OF SNOW ACCUMULATION IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. WHITEOUT CONDITIONS AND THUNDERSNOW HAVE ALREADY BEEN REPORTED IN WESTERN MARYLAND.

ROADS WILL BECOME SNOW COVERED AND SLICK THIS EVENING. ALSO… WINDS ACCOMPANYING THE SNOW SHOWERS AND SQUALLS WILL BECOME STRONG… GUSTING 40 TO 50 MPH. THE COMBINATION OF SNOW SHOWERS AND STRONG WINDS WILL LEAD TO VISIBILITIES OF ONE HALF MILE OR LESS. THESE LOW VISIBILITIES WILL DEVELOP SUDDENLY.

TRAVELERS ACROSS THE REGION ARE ADVISED TO USE EXTREME CAUTION THROUGH THIS EVENING. BE PREPARED FOR RAPIDLY CHANGING CONDITIONS AS THE ARCTIC FRONT MOVES THROUGH. BURSTS OF HEAVY SNOW WITH SUDDEN VISIBILITY RESTRICTIONS COULD MAKE FOR DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS.

AFTER THE SNOW ENDS LATE THIS EVENING… VERY COLD AIR WILL MOVE INTO THE MID-ATLANTIC. THE VERY COLD AIR WILL ALLOW ANY SNOW OR SLUSH ON AREA ROADS TO FREEZE… RESULTING IN ICY CONDITIONS. WIND CHILLS WILL QUICKLY FALL INTO THE SINGLE DIGITS THIS EVENING.