Mixed Precipitation North of DC and into Southern PA Tonight/Early Saturday. Better Chance of Accumulating Snow Sunday Night/Monday.

Posted on
A Nor’easter will start to push up the coast today, bringing a threat of a wintry mix to the DC Region tonight and into Saturday. Snowfall accumulations should hold mainly to far northern MD and southern/eastern PA. Looking like 1-3″ is possible across far northern MD while areas in eastern PA north and west of Philly could receive 2-4″ or locally more. Some freezing rain could occur as well with this system in these regions, so definitely take it easy on the roads. The DC Region should stay mainly dry today before the threat of rain, sleet, and snow move into the region overnight tonight and into Saturday. Sunday will dry out for most of the day before a clipper system could bring a better chance of accumulating snow to the immediate DC Region. In Western PA, the southern tier could receive some snow tonight before the system pushes northeastward. Pittsburgh could see a coating overall. Conditions should stay mainly dry during the day on Saturday in western PA before a chance of snow moves in Saturday night. Snow looks to pick up later in the day on Sunday and into Monday. Models have trended the heaviest snowfall further southward into southern PA, MD, and DC. I think 2-5″ is possible across southern PA and northern MD Sunday/Monday at this time (still subject to change). Some areas could receive more, depending on where the rain/snow line and heaviest band sets up. If the models have the timing right (they’re probably too slow), the DC commute could be ugly Monday morning. Definitely a lot to keep an eye on heading into the weekend. Drive safe and have a fantastic weekend! Take care folks! 
Risks: Some areas of eastern PA could see higher snowfall totals from Nor’easter. Southerly trend of the snow for Sunday/Monday storm could bring higher snowfall totals to the DC Region/Less NW PA snow as colder air drifts southward. However, some models show less moisture, decreasing the risk. Since most clippers have performed up to snuff or overperformed this year, I’d go with the higher snow totals potential.
Current (~6-6:50am) Temperatures:
  • Erie, PA: 26; Wind Chill: 16
  • Franklin, PA: 21; Wind Chill: 12
  • New Castle, PA: 26; Wind Chill: 26
  • Butler, PA: 27; Wind Chill: 27
  • Pittsburgh, PA (KAGC): 28; Wind Chill: 21
  • Uniontown, PA: 24; Wind Chill: 24
  • State College, PA: 27; Wind Chill: 18
  • Frederick, MD: 25; Wind Chill: 25
  • BWI Airport, MD: 26; Wind Chill: 26
  • DC (KDCA): 33; Wind Chill: 28

Forecast:

Western PA:

Main threat: Snow possible across southern PA tonight. Coating-1″ in SW PA. Better threat of significant snow Sunday night/Monday. 2-5″ possible in southwest PA. 1-3″ possible in NW PA.

  • Today: Clouds increase. Chance of snow mainly in SW PA later. Afternoon Highs: Low to Mid 30s Overnight Lows: 20s
  • Saturday: Chance of light snow. Highs: 30s Overnight Lows: Mid 20s to Low 30s
  • Sunday: Snow likely. Highs: Upper 20s to Mid 30s Overnight Lows: Upper 10s to Mid 20s

DC Region: 

Main threat: Wintry mix could cause slippery roads tonight/Saturday. Slick roads could return Sunday night/Monday as snow pushes in. 2-5″ possible north of DC Sunday night/Monday.

  • Today: Increasing clouds. Chance of snow/sleet/rain. Highs: Low to Mid 40s Overnight Lows: Low to Mid 30s
  • Saturday: Rain, snow, and sleet. A few inches of wet snow could accumulate well north of the city. Highs: Mid to Upper 30s Overnight Lows: Upper 20s to Mid 30s
  • Sunday: Partly sunny. Chance of snow/sleet late.  Highs: Low to Mid 40s Overnight Lows: Low to Mid 30s

Good News: Temperatures stay pretty seasonal through the weekend.

Bad News:  Travel could be rough with a threat of wintry mix tonight/tomorrow from north of DC up the East Coast. Morning commute Monday could be interesting depending on the timing of the system. Colder temperatures also move in next week.