The threat of sub-freezing weather tonight has not subsided, so make sure to cover up or bring inside any sensitive plants.
From the National Weather Service:
Weather
Warm weather this afternoon will give way to showers, possible storms and falling temperatures. Should the temperature drop below freezing tonight, it could damage plants and ruin spring gardens.
The NWS has issued a Freeze Warning for early Tuesday, from midnight to 10 a.m.:
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(Updated at 11:20 a.m.) Arlington County and surrounding areas will be under a Wind Advisory from 11 p.m. Saturday to noon on Sunday.
The National Weather Service says wind gusts of up to 50 miles per hour are possible. From NWS:
It’s not yet clear how much snow this weekend, but don’t be surprised if on Sunday you see a scene like the photos above, from March 25, 2013.
At minimum, forecasters say say a coastal storm will make for a cold, soggy weekend, with a mix of rain and snow. Accumulation seems to be the biggest wildcard.
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The National Weather Service is warning of a potentially slippery AM commute, with 1-3 inches of snow expected to fall overnight.
From NWS:
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Update at 8:35 p.m. — The northbound GW Parkway is closed from Spout Run to the Beltway due to large potholes in the roadway. Drivers should expect heavy traffic on the Spout Run Parkway, and at Lee Highway at N. Kirkwood Street.
N/B parkway from Spout Run to 495 closed due to potholes. Crews onsite and working to repair.
Forecasters says a storm system that’s making its way north from Louisiana will dump 1-3 inches of rain and spawn some potentially strong thunderstorms (see Storm Prediction Center outlook, left).
The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for Wednesday, warning of isolated flooding in low-lying areas and areas with poor drainage.
One day ago, Arlington was a frigid winter wonderland, with several inches of snow on the ground. There were dogs playing and kids sledding during the day, and a dangerous glaze of ice courtesy of freezing rain at night.
Today, as of Tuesday afternoon, the temperature was in the mid-40s, most of the snow and ice is gone or turned to slush, and some blue sky can even be seen outside.
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APS announced the cancellation decision around 4:30 a.m, as most roads and sidewalks were still icy from freezing rain. Fairfax County Public Schools and many other local school systems made the same call, although D.C. Public Schools are only on a two hour delay.
From APS:
County and state road crews are working to keep main roads clear as the snow falls today, but VDOT says conditions may get worse tonight when snow changes to sleet and freezing rain.
VDOT is advising drivers to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary, particularly this afternoon. From a press release:
About 4-6 inches of snow accumulation is expected in Arlington today as a winter storm makes its way through the area.
The snow is expected to transition to sleet, freezing rain and then just rain tonight. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the area (below).
NWS has issues a Winter Weather Advisory for Arlington, warning of the potential for several inches of snow followed by freezing rain on Monday.
The good news is that Monday is a federal and state holiday, though forecasters say an icy Tuesday morning commute is also a possibility.