Forecast: Dry Today, Wet Tomorrow
Maybe a touch of ice late tonight into early tomorrow
You might think of the weather today as representing the calm before the storm. What storm, you ask? We'll see a rather potent area of low pressure over the southeastern U.S. push north and east into our region by the early morning Friday, bringing decidedly wet weather to the area for the last day of the work week. The precipitation may begin as a brief period of ice in the immediate northern and western suburbs, while places well to the north and west may see a more siginificant period of accumulating ice. By the weekend, however, we'll experience clearing conditions and noticeably milder temperatures.
TODAY
Increasing clouds, low to mid 40s, chance of ice late tonight. Though the first half of the day will feature partly to mostly sunny skies, by mid to late afternoon clouds will begin to increase ahead of an approaching area of low pressure. Afternoon highs will probably top out in the low to mid 40s. Expect cloudy skies tonight with precipitation breaking out by early morning Friday, starting as mainly rain from DC toward points south and east, but possibly as sleet and freezing rain north and west (Montgomery and Fairfax counties), where there is the potential for a few icy spots. Overnight lows will hover around or just above freezing.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch in effect late tonight through tomorrow afternoon for areas well north and west (Frederick, Loudoun, Fauquier counties), where ice is more likely to accumulate and cause more significant slipperiness.
TOMORROW
Cloudy and rainy, mid 40s. Any ice in the immediate metro area should quickly change to all rain in the morning as temperatures warm toward highs in the mid 40s. Overcast skies and periods of moderate to heavy rain will prevail through much of the day. The heaviest rain will probably fall from the late morning through mid afternoon, diminishing in intensity during the late afternoon, and tapering off by early evening. Friday night will bring partial clearing with lows dropping to 30-35.
Keep reading for the forecast through the weekend as well as a sneak peek at early next week.
THE WEEKEND
Mostly sunny, low to mid 50s. I'm happy to say that this weekend will feature quite nice weather, with plenty of sunshine and temperatures nearly 10 degrees above average. Saturday will present us with mostly sunny conditions with highs in the low 50s and overnight lows in the upper 20s to mid 30s. We may see a touch more in the way of clouds on Sunday, but it will still be partly to mostly sunny. Expect milder high temperatures in the mid 50s with overnight lows from 30-35.
A LOOK AHEAD
Prepare for partly sunny conditions on Monday, with mild highs in the low to mid 50s and overnight lows in the mid 30s to low 40s.
The next storm system may push through the area on Tuesday, bringing the likelihood of increased clouds and a chance for showers. Milder flow from the southwest may allow for high temperatures to near 60 degrees, while overnight lows will range from the upper 30s to low 40s.
Rain may linger into Wednesday, along with the potential for continued mild temperatures, in the 50s to maybe near 60.
By Josh Larson |
January 31, 2008; 5:00 AM ET
Forecasts
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Posted by: Wade | January 31, 2008 07:42 AM
Lets keep our fingers crossed for at least an inch of rain from this system.
NWS indicates up to one half inch of ice accretion in my area!
"Dreamland" is getting exciting this morning with the latest GFS taking on a colder and unsettled look beyond 200 hrs. compared to recent days.
7:30 - 15 degrees, calm, 80% clear, cirrus clouds moving in from the southwest.
Posted by: Augusta Jim | January 31, 2008 07:46 AM
Don't see watch/warning up?
Posted by: missy | January 31, 2008 08:32 AM
You want sleazy tactics? Check out Margusity's blog on AccuWeather.com if you want to see true hype in action this morning -- "SNOWSTORM DEVELOPING! BIG DADDY IS BACK!!" Gimme a break...
Posted by: VAStateOfMind | January 31, 2008 08:59 AM
42 years ago today, way back on Jan. 31,1966, the Shenandoah Valley was paralyzed by 30 inches of snow, with most highways closed by 8-12 ft. drifts. This resulted from an almost unprecedented 3 snowstorms in 7 days, beginning in my area with 11.75" on Jan. 22, 7.50" on Jan. 26, 16.50" on Jan. 29 for a total of 35.75", followed by 50-60 mph winds on Jan. 30. Schools were closed "indefinitely", finally reopened on Feb.7.
The D.C. area had a reported approximate 20 inches on the ground.
Posted by: Augusta Jim | January 31, 2008 09:39 AM
Re: The Doug Hill banner on Channel 7 -- bear in mind that the February ratings sweeps period begins tonight, so we'll probably see more of this type of hype over the next four weeks. And the folks on 7 are amateurs compared to their Channel 5 counterparts...
Posted by: JC | January 31, 2008 09:50 AM
Hold your fire, Augusta Jim. Though we need the rain, tomorrow's storm is a big fat BUMMER!!! As I posted below , I need to take a land-line long-distance phone call tomorrow afternoon at 3 PM at home. No time for a few rumbles of thunder! In addition it will impact my Mardi Gras dance tomorrow evening! Fortunately I can stay at home if the commute is too nasty and will skip this dance if the messy weather runs into the evening. The huge risk is not the rainy weather getting to the dance but the risk of reduced attendance due to rainy-weather stay at homes. I've found that the dances are LESS FUN when the dance floor is half-empty and intend to plan accordingly!
Posted by: El Bombo | January 31, 2008 10:59 AM
WWA's now up for close-in suburbs west and north, including Mont Co.
Posted by: jmbethesda | January 31, 2008 03:12 PM
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Last night, ads for Doug Hill's weather report had the banner "Snow on the Way?"
Since I know no reputable forecaster is predicting snow for the metro area, that banner must have been an especially sleazy tactic by Channel 7's hype-machine.
Boo!!