BETHESDA SNOW UPDATE/FORECAST - #DC #WEATHER

A few days before springing forward to Daylight Savings Time, winter is going out kicking and screaming. Yes, another snowstorm is headed our way tonight. We will be experiencing rain throughout the day today with our relatively warmer temperatures (our high will be 46°F this afternoon), but overnight that will switch to snow. By 5 AM Thursday, we'll be at the freezing mark - just in time for rush hour, of course.

Snow will begin to taper off by 5 PM Thursday, and our total accumulation will be in the 3"-7" range, with some forecasters calling for 10" at the higher end of the spectrum. A frigid Friday means we'll be iced in by whatever has fallen until it begins to melt Saturday. If recent storms are a guide, that initial freeze will slow the melting process even once temperatures have gone above freezing this weekend.

Our current temperature is a downright-balmy 39°, and fog will be a problem early this morning. Take an umbrella. Winds are WSW at 4 MPH.

Stay tuned here and on Twitter at @BethesdaRow for updates throughout the storm tonight and tomorrow.

BETHESDA SNOW UPDATE AND FORECAST

Temperatures in Bethesda plunged into the single digits overnight, and you might say the beatings will continue until the weather improves. A snowstorm is fast approaching from the south. Winter Storm Octavia is expected to drop around 5" of snow from tonight through mid-morning on Tuesday. The National Weather Service is calling for a minimum of 4", to a maximum of 8".

We remain under a Wind Chill Advisory until 10:00 AM this morning. Snow is likely to start around 4:00 PM this afternoon, and with temperatures remaining below the freezing mark all day, that snow is going to stick to roads.

Temperatures tonight will be in the teens, which may seem like summer compared to last night's -9° F wind chill in Bethesda. Heavy snow will move in over the night, and temperatures in the teens Tuesday morning means a nightmarish commute. The high Tuesday is expected to only reach 30°.

BETHESDA/DC AREA SNOW FORECAST

How many inches of snow will Bethesda and the DC region get from this nasty, late winter storm tonight?

A winter storm warning is in effect across the region today from 2:00 PM until 2:00 PM Monday. Rain is forecast to begin this afternoon, and change over to snow as the sun sets. The heaviest snow will fall during the overnight hours tonight. Currently, the National Weather Service is calling for accumulation of 5 inches, or more. Temperatures will be in the 20s overnight.

Winds during the storm will gust up to 20 MPH, but average around 10.

Highs on Monday will remain in the lower 30s, meaning travel will be dangerous, and road conditions could remain hazardous throughout the day.

Stay tuned for updates here on the blog, and at @BethesdaRow on Twitter. Not following me on Twitter? This is a good time to correct that problem!

BETHESDA / DC AREA SNOW FORECAST AND WEATHER REPORT

The snow forecast for Bethesda is insignificant today. Expect a mix of rain and snow between early morning and mid-afternoon. Temperatures are forecast to remain above freezing throughout the day. Clouds will give way to clear skies by 8:00 tonight, but temperatures will drop below freezing - expect them to be in the upper twenties overnight.

WINTER STORM IAGO APPROACHING BETHESDA, 1-3" RAIN AND/OR SNOW ACCUMULATION POSSIBLE IN DC AREA

BETHESDA STORM CENTER:
IAGO SNOW UPDATE

While some forecasts have overhyped the snowstorm expected to hit the DC area today, you can count on slick roads during the evening rush hour tonight.

Federal agencies in the Washington, DC, area are OPEN and employees have the option for UNSCHEDULED LEAVE or UNSCHEDULED TELEWORK, according to the OPM website.

Expect rain showers this morning, and a rain/snow mixture early in the afternoon.  Temperatures are not currently forecast to drop below freezing tonight. Any concentrated snowfall will have difficulty sticking if that holds true.

In the worst case scenario, snowfall accumulation should total no more than 1-3" by evening.

Snow should taper off after 9 PM.

This is more likely a "be careful driving" storm than a "clean out the grocery store" blizzard.

Stay tuned here and on Twitter at @BethesdaRow for Bethesda weather updates as warranted.