What was once only expected to be a coating to an inch of snow could be more like 1-3 inches.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Arlington, the District and other parts of the immediate D.C. area, with snow expected to start falling early Sunday.
From NWS:
646 PM EST Sat Jan 17 2026
…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM TO 6 PM EST SUNDAY…
* WHAT…Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches.
* WHERE…Portions of DC, central, north central, and northern Maryland, and northern Virginia.
* WHEN…From 4 AM to 6 PM EST Sunday.
* IMPACTS…Plan on slippery road conditions.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Snow, possibly mixed with rain for a few hours, will spread into the area early Sunday morning. There may be some breaks in the snow during the midday hours before additional snow falls in the afternoon. Visibility may drop to one half mile at times in moderate snow. The snow should end during the late afternoon or early evening.
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.
Winter Weather Advisories have been expanded southwest along the I-95 corridor for Sunday, starting at 4 AM and going through 6 PM. Expect 1-3 inches of snow early in the morning and gradually ending from west to east through the afternoon hours. #DCwx #MDwx #VAwx pic.twitter.com/FWAoLRdtqE
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) January 18, 2026
Earlier Saturday, the weather service said most people in the area would “a coating to an inch of snow, which could result in locally slick travel.” An accumulation map now shows 1.5 inches around Arlington.
Temperatures are currently expected to be just above freezing for most of the day, before starting to fall in the afternoon. Following the snow will be a bone-chilling start to the MLK, Jr. Day holiday-shortened week.
“Wind chills in the 0 to 10 range are possible each night from Monday night through Tuesday night,” said NWS. “Wind chills as low as 5 below are possible Monday night.”
Rain & snow move into south-central VA late tonight before spreading east toward the I-95 metros before sunrise Sunday. Most will see a slushy coating-1" of snow w/ locally heavier amts over northeast MD. Temps will remain near or just above freezing. https://t.co/ZOlvESgJ2H. pic.twitter.com/Zkdm5NsakR
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) January 17, 2026
