There’s about a 50/50 chance of snow Friday morning, but if it does fall it will likely stick and cause problems on untreated roads.
The National Weather Service issued a Winter Weather Advisory just before 2 p.m. Thursday.
While small in quantity, the Friday snowfall might be big in headaches for commuters. Forecasters are warning about a “potential winter commuting hazard” and “the possibility of significant travel disruptions.”
Arlington has already started applying brine to local roads, which could help keep hilly streets passable. Forecasters, meanwhile, say a period of evening snow or freezing drizzle is also possible.
More, below, from NWS.
156 PM EST Thu Dec 4 2025
…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM TO 4 PM EST FRIDAY…
* WHAT…Snow, with total snow accumulations near 1 inch.
* WHERE…DC, and portions of central Maryland and northern Virginia.
* WHEN…From 4 AM to 4 PM EST Friday.
* IMPACTS…Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions will impact the Friday morning commute.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Given temperatures will be in the 20s, snow is expected to accumulate on all untreated surfaces. A light snow will overspread the advisory area, with slightly higher amounts possible in any banding features. As snow winds down, a light
freezing drizzle is possible into Friday afternoon. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.
Light snow can be expected early Friday AM into mid-afternoon. Snow amounts for most will range between a dusting-2". There will be a sharp cutoff to the north of DC with the bulk of the storm remaining across the Shenandoah Valley & central VA Piedmont. https://t.co/ZOlvEShgSf. pic.twitter.com/Whp1zDOLEB
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) December 4, 2025
Authorities are encouraging drivers to “plan ahead for potentially slick Friday commutes.”
From a VDOT press release:
Snow is expected to make its way across the commonwealth overnight Thursday into Friday morning, impacting roadways as temperatures remain near freezing. Drivers should keep watch on local forecasts and plan ahead for potentially icy Friday commutes.
Motorists should check road conditions to determine if it’s best to delay travel or take it slow for both morning and evening commutes on Friday. Slick spots are most likely to occur first on elevated surfaces, such as bridges, ramps and overpasses.
Ahead of the winter storm, Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews and contractors have been pretreating major roadways with a brine solution to help prevent a bond from forming between pavement and snow or ice. As precipitation begins overnight and continues into Friday, crews will patrol and treat state-maintained roads with salt and sand. Into the evening hours, crews will treat for potential refreeze of wet pavement as snow and ice melt during the day. Be sure to give crews space to work.
As a reminder, VDOT prioritizes state-maintained roads that carry the most traffic for snow removal. VDOT works to make interstates and most primary roads (routes numbered 1 to 599) passable first. Crews also focus on major secondary roads (routes numbered 600 and higher) with vital emergency and public facilities or those with high traffic volumes. Low-volume secondary roads and subdivision streets will be treated after higher-priority routes are completed and additional resources are available.
If travel is necessary, drivers should use caution. 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.
