The latest forecast data are insistent that a severe winter storm will unleash crippling snow and strong winds over much of the D.C. area Friday through Saturday night.
The National Weather Service has issued a Blizzard Watch for the entire metro region due to the potential blinding combination of snow and powerful winds. “Potential life-threatening conditions [are] expected Friday night into Saturday night,” the National Weather Service says. “Travel is expected to be severely limited if not impossible during the height of the storm Friday night and Saturday.”
[How to prepare for this weekend’s high-impact winter storm]
While there is still time for shifts in the exact storm track, which could alter snow totals some, the consensus of forecast models indicate more than a foot of snow will fall in many areas.
Computer models have been remarkably consistent, unanimously forecasting double-digit snow totals for the region since the weekend.
There is still significant uncertainty in the onset time of snow. What we can say with some confidence is that snow should hold off until after the morning commute Friday. Many models suggest a midday to early afternoon start time, although it’s not out of the question the snow holds off until Friday evening.
[How much snow are local forecasters and computer models predicting?]
The brunt of the storm will occur overnight Friday into Saturday, when snow is likely to be heavy at times. Winds will crank up by Saturday morning with gusts to 30-40 mph during the day, and higher near the Chesapeake Bay. The combination of snow and wind is likely to severely restrict visibility. Power outages are possible due to weight of the snow and strong winds.
This will be a long-duration event — around 36 hours, with snow potentially not ending until late Saturday night or even Sunday morning.
Wherever you are Friday evening, it is quite possible you may need to remain there until Sunday or Monday, or even a bit longer.
Keep reading... https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2016/01/20/blizzard-watch-severe-snowstorm-likely-friday-through-sunday/
