It’s still mostly rain that’s falling outside as of 1:30 p.m., but that’s likely to change soon.
Temperatures are dropping and forecasters say the immediate D.C. area should expect heavy snow and deteriorating conditions, starting around 2-3 p.m. The big threat later tonight, as frigid temperatures set in, is ice.
The earlier Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect. The National Weather Service, meanwhile,,, just issued the following Special Weather Statement.
112 PM EST Sun Jan 19 2025
…PERIOD OF MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW THIS AFTERNOON…
A mix of light rain, sleet, and snow will transition to a period of moderate to heavy snow this afternoon from west to east through 3 PM. Snowfall rates of around or a little over one inch per hour are possible during the mid afternoon hours, along with reductions in visibility to one-half mile or less and temperatures falling below freezing. Snow will wind down from west to east between 5 and 8 PM, but temperatures will continue to fall through the 20s.
A quick accumulation of snow is expected this afternoon, which will impact travel. After the snow, any lingering moisture will freeze given the falling temperatures.
The weather has prompted a growing number of closures.
The GW Parkway is closed indefinitely between Spout Run and the Beltway. County parks and rec facilities are closing early, at 4 p.m. And the 2025 MLK Tribute event tonight at Wakefield High School has been canceled.
More, below, from Arlington County.
Due to inclement weather, all Arlington County Parks and Recreation facilities will close by 4 p.m. today, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025.
Out of an abundance of caution and with the potential for hazardous conditions, tonight’s MLK Tribute event scheduled for 5-6:30 p.m. at Wakefield High School will also be canceled.
Any impacts to classes and programs at Arlington County community centers, parks, or facilities will be communicated directly to program participants via email.
Please call 703-228-4747 for more information.
VDOT, meanwhile, is encouraging people to stay off the roads when the snow starts to fall. The agency noted that it was unable to pretreat roads due to rain.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is prepared for another round of winter weather and road impacts that arrive with the storm. Much like the previous two weekend storms, most of Virginia will see rain and snow on Sunday and motorists should plan their travels around the weather and not drive during the storm.
Now is the time to travel, ahead of the storm and plan to stay put when winter weather begins to fall on Sunday. The cooperation of motorists staying off of the roads during and following the storm is paramount for crews to operate safely and efficiently.
Forecasts indicate that snow is expected over northern and western portions of the commonwealth. Additionally, rain in parts of southeast Virginia may have a brief change over to snow as precipitation ends. Crews in those regions are preparing to treat and plow roads Sunday into Monday as needed.
Crews across the commonwealth were unable to pretreat ahead of this storm due to the weather beginning as rain. Materials would be washed away ahead of the arrival of winter precipitation.
Unlike the last two winter weather events, temperatures are expected to remain dangerously cold into next week meaning roads will likely be more challenging to treat because materials are less effective. Icy conditions will persist creating hazardous driving conditions.
To receive more regional guidance, be sure to follow your local VDOT district for details. VDOT is divided into nine districts, each of which oversees maintenance and construction on the state-maintained highways, bridges and tunnels in its area. Visit VDOT’s Districts webpage for more details in your area.
Before traveling, be sure to check roadway conditions by using VDOT’s free 511 mobile app, which offers information about road conditions, traffic, incidents, construction and congestion as well as access to traffic cameras, weather and more. Information is also available at 511.vdot.virginia.gov or by calling 511 while in Virginia.
More on the forecast, below, via social media.
Heavy snowfall rates >=1" per our are likely to spread eastward through the afternoon. https://t.co/9OpaK0MSAA
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) January 19, 2025
1:27 pm: Conditions could deteriorate quick as bands of moderate to heavy snow develop and move through this afternoon.
Focus locally probably about 2 to 6 p.m., earliest west.
Short window limits accumulation but could come down quite hard. Details at https://t.co/O5ePGELT71 pic.twitter.com/TEJ4Ir9vXv
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) January 19, 2025
