Slate reports that weather models for the D.C. area have been consistent and the heaviest snow should begin on Friday evening and continue through Saturday.
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The bigger cities could get 1 to 2 feet of snow, but first the storm will bring ice and freezing rain to Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky starting Thursday, prediction center Meteorologist Rich Otto said. Howling winds and pounding surf along the coasts could cause “substantial” beach erosion and coastal flooding, as well as property damage, the National Weather Service said.
The main snowfall is expected to come in late Friday afternoon, right around the rush hour, Mr. Edwards said.
Residents in West Virginia could see anywhere from about a half-foot to 2 feet of snow this weekend, depending on the location.
The National Weather Service put Washington and Baltimore under blizzard warnings from 3 p.m. Eastern (2000 GMT) Friday through Sunday morning.
Heavy snow, heavy sleet, or a combination of two or more winter weather hazards (including snow, blowing snow, freezing rain, and sleet) are occurring, imminent, or highly likely. A light snow fell Wednesday night in the capital, a precursor to the expected big event this weekend.
The nor’easter bearing down on Long Island this weekend has been upgraded to a potential blizzard, the National Weather Service announced Thursday morning.
State highways crews are on standby to salt and plow West Virginia’s roads during the upcoming winter storm.
Heavy winds are expected to accompany the storm on the East End.
In addition, the service’s Wilmington office has changed the criteria for certain winter weather alerts to be more clear about the impact of storms.
The forecast is now in place for the storm that could bring snow from Arkansas to New England.
“Most of the metro area will receive at least 8” of total snow, with over a foot across northern and western sides of the metro. “We’ve gotten it pretty easy so far” this winter.
Travel will be “severely limited if not impossible” from Friday night through Saturday, they add, and visibility will be near zero with “whiteout conditions” possible.
Roads could become impassable due to increasing snow accumulation during the storm. “All Virginians should take the threat of this storm seriously and take necessary precautions now to ensure they are prepared for travel disruptions and possible power outages during a cold weather period”.
The forecasted storm track covers a number of major airports – including those in the Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia and NY areas – so airlines and cities are warning would-be passengers Thursday to watch for flight delays and cancellations, and even consider rescheduling before the storm even hits.
The Washington D.C. Snowball Fight Association is taking a wait-and-see approach to its gathering in Dupont Circle, tentatively scheduled for Saturday.
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Even the organizers of a snowball fight are nervous about the storm that’s expected to hit the nation’s capital. It will be held Friday, the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision. “Once it stops snowing, anything is good”.
