It is about to get very windy and very cold in Arlington.
The strong winds are whipping up on the tail end of the “bomb cyclone” that brought snow to the area this morning. The resulting sub-zero wind chills have prompted a Wind Chill Advisory that will be in effect tonight through midday Friday.
Much of the D.C. region is under a Winter Weather Advisory tonight as a coastal storm packing snow, icy cold temperatures and strong wind nears.
Arlington County crews have been mobilized and are treating roads in anticipation of an inch or so of snow tonight and tomorrow, potentially disrupting the morning commute.
It’s going to be a dangerously frigid New Year’s Eve in Arlington and around the D.C. area.
The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Chill Advisory, warning of sub-zero wind chills after 9 p.m. New Year’s revelers should try to avoid spending too much time outdoors tonight.
Accumulating snowfall may disrupt the Wednesday morning commute, forecasters say.
More from a National Weather Service special weather statement:
Light snowflakes fell on Arlington County in the early afternoon, with some sticking to grassy areas.
The snow began around lunchtime, and at 1:30 p.m. the National Weather Service tweeted that the main concern is a “thin slippery layer on untreated roads.” Anyone driving home this afternoon and evening should be careful of any slick conditions.
Forecasters are warning of the potential for wintry weather and a hazardous Friday evening commute.
The snow threat prompted the National Weather Service to issue the following Special Weather Statement around 11 p.m. Thursday.
A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect, as of midnight, for Arlington and much of the rest of the D.C. area.
The National Weather Service says 4-6 inches of snow is possible throughout the day today (Saturday) inside the Beltway, but other forecasters say we could see as little as an inch.
The Capital Weather Gang reports that as Friday night wears on, the chances of light snow, or a mix of snow and rain, will increase. A mix of snow and rain is likely to fall during Saturday, with as much as an inch or two expected to accumulate depending on the severity of the storm.
County government has been planning all year for any winter weather, including budgeting $1.4 million for snow removal, stockpiling 9,200 tons of salt and spending 1,950 hours training snow crews. The team is made up of 92 drivers and 46 trucks.
The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory for Arlington and much of the rest of the D.C. area.
Strong, gusty winds this morning and afternoon may knock down tree branches and power lines, forecasters say.
An Arctic blast of cold air arriving tonight (Thursday) will bring temperatures in the 20s on Friday night and Saturday morning.
The National Weather Service said sensitive plants may be damaged or killed, and NWS recommends protecting from the cold.
The advisory, which is in effect until 6 a.m., cautions that an approaching line of gusty showers may produce damaging winds.
From the National Weather Service:
Arlington and other parts of the D.C. area are under a Frost Advisory tonight.
Temperatures are expected to dip into the mid-30s early Wednesday morning, potentially damaging sensitive plants.
