Bundle up! Rain to start, with nearly 4 inches of snow expected for DC area Tuesday – WTOP News

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Commuters should be careful going to work Tuesday because heavy rain and snow is pouring across the D.C. area as it’s expected to last throughout the morning.

Here’s what you need to know.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory, which will be in effect until 1 p.m. in Carroll, Frederick, Howard, and northwest Montgomery counties in Maryland and northern Fauquier and Loudoun counties in Virginia.

Additionally, western Maryland is under a winter storm warning until 10 a.m. as there is a possibility for 4 to 8 inches of snow.

Rain will be mixing and changing into snow during the morning hours. The areas under a winter weather advisory could see 1 to 3 inches of snowfall, but heavy snows bands could make roads, bridges and overpasses slippery, according to WTOP meteorologist Mike Stinneford.

Stinneford added that there’s snow already in Front Royal, Winchester and Hagerstown.

The snow will ending by 11 a.m. as temperatures will be in the 40s with wind chills in the 30s.

Preparing for winter weather during commute

The early morning rain and snow has already made its impact in the region.

There is considerable amount of ponds in curb lanes on the major and smaller roads in Loudoun County, Virginia, according to WTOP’s Neal Augenstein, adding the fact that driving in the dark skies during winter weather is challenging.

“If you’re able to delay your drive until after sunrise, that’ll make things easier,” Augenstein said.

In Montgomery County, Maryland, there are snowplows that are ready to clear up any slushy snow, even though there isn’t any yet. WTOP’s Luke Lukert reporte that there is plenty of standing water.

“If we do get accumulation fast, it may make the commutes even worse,” Lukert said.

He also reported that there’s heavy snow in Frederick County, adding that it made him “feel like the Star Wars jump to hyperspace with the big white flakes shooting toward my windshield.”

School closings and delays

As a result of the heavy rain and possible snow, school systems announced closings and delay

In Maryland, Frederick, Howard and Montgomery counties will have a two-hour delay.

In Virginia, public schools in Clarke, Fairfax, Fauquier and Frederick counties will have a two-hour delay, while Loudoun County Public Schools will be closed.

FORECAST

TUESDAY MORNING: Rain mixing with and changing to snow. Snow may be moderate to heavy at times before ending by 11 a.m. Some accumulation of wet snow, mainly on the grass, but roads could become slippery under heavy snow bands, mainly over the northern and western suburbs.

TUESDAY AFTERNOON: Partial clearing and windy. Highs in the 40s.

TUESDAY NIGHT: Clear and colder. Lows in the low to mid 30s.

WEDNESDAY: Partly cloudy and breezy. Highs low to mid 40s.

THURSDAY AND FRIDAY: Partly cloudy. Highs in the lower 50s.

CURRENT CONDITIONS

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