Introduction
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The chance of heavy snow increases Saturday night into Sunday.
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Model potential shows that heights could exceed 15 inches in Washington, D.C., and higher to the northwest.
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Arctic air behind the storm could freeze everything and disrupt travel for several days.
washington – Washington, D.C., is headed for a severe snowstorm this weekend, with the National Weather Service warning of an “extreme” level threat.
winter storm threat
The National Weather Service has assessed the threat from this weekend’s winter storm as “extreme,” the highest level of threat.
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“Someone could get 20+ inches from this storm, but I think the area would be north or northwest of Washington, D.C.,” FOX 5’s Mike Thomas posted on Facebook Thursday. “I liked 8-14 inches in DCA yesterday and I still like it today!”
FOX 5’s Tucker Barnes hasn’t issued an official snowfall total forecast yet, but says heavy snow is increasingly likely, with precipitation starting Saturday night and the peak of the storm continuing into Sunday.
Find the latest Washington winter storm forecast here
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Even if surface temperatures remain cold, a layer of warm air aloft could cause sleet or ice to mix in, which could affect final totals, Barnes said.
Model snowfall potential shows extensive raw computer simulations suggesting more than 15 inches of snow could fall in Washington, D.C., and more than 20 inches in higher elevations to the north and west of the region, including Cumberland, Maryland.
READ MORE: Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia winter weather checklist: How to prepare for ice and snow this weekend
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Barnes warned that models can fluctuate widely from run to run and should be used as guidance while waiting for more stable, realistic forecasts. He noted that there is often a large gap between model output and actual accumulation.
A winter storm watch covered much of the country on Wednesday, with more than 175 million people potentially affected by the storm.
Read more: What is a polar vortex? Snow and arctic cold threaten Northeast, why this matters
How much snow is expected on Sunday? Model potential, forecast predictions point to major storms
Barnes also warned that frigid Arctic air trailing the storm could freeze falling snow or ice, increasing the risk of power outages and potentially disrupting travel for days.
Read more: Virginia winter storm forecast: Heavy snow possible, timing still uncertain
Join FOX 5’s professional meteorologists live on FOX LOCAL to learn about the snowfall. We’re live streaming the latest forecasts, snow potential and preparation tips ahead of the storm and throughout the weekend non-stop. Download FOX LOCAL to get 24/7 weather coverage on your smart TV and mobile devices.
source
The information in this article comes from the FOX 5 Weather Team and the National Weather Service.