Updated forecast: Wintry mix ends but its cold and icy -

11:15 a.m. update: Precipitation has exited the region. Now comes the cold.

As the wintry precipitation has exited to the northeast of the region, the winter weather advisory and winter storm warning in effect have been discontinued. For the rest of today, clouds should very slowly disperse as it remains cold — don’t expect much melting. Highs will probably only reach the low 30s in most spots (a little warmer toward Southern Maryland) and winds from the northwest will really start to pick up this afternoon, adding to the chill. It will be frigid tonight with lows in the teens and single digits.

This will be our last update. Scroll down for the forecast through the weekend. And for more on this storm, see:

8:28 a.m. update: 3 to 5 inches common in the area

With the light wintry mix beginning to shift east of the Beltway, let’s take stock of how much snow fell Monday into early this morning.

Cold air is a great equalizer when it comes to snow totals; often it’s lacking in the milder parts of the Washington region. But, for this storm, freezing temperatures allowed for similar snow measurements across the area, even in milder places that often struggle to accumulate. The main airport observation locations all posted snow totals within 0.8 inches of each other.

4.1 inches at Reagan National Airport
4.4 inches at Dulles International
4.9 inches at Baltimore-Washington International

Reports will continue to come in through Tuesday, but some other local numbers logged with the Weather Service include:

6.4 inches in Arcola
5.2 inches in Montgomery Village
4.6 inches in Clarksburg
4.2 inches in Crofton
4.0 inches in Alexandria

Plenty of ruler photos are also going around on social media. The first snow day in years!

5.5 inches in Gainesville
5 inches in Ashburn
5 inches in Glover Park, D.C.
5 inches in Lovettsville
4.6 inches in Olney

7:10 a.m. update: A bit more wintry mix this morning; icing a concern

Although precipitation is moving east overall, an enhanced zone of wintry mix showers approaching from the south will push through the area Tuesday morning as temperatures remain below freezing. Somewhat milder air has worked in above our heads, so this is a mix of light freezing rain, sleet and snow. Snowflakes are more common west of Interstate 95.

Colder air aloft is beginning to shift back southeast, so many spots that have seen a mix may go back to snowflakes before precipitation ends. Any additional accumulation is quite minor, or on the order of a tenth or two of an inch. A light glaze of ice is also a risk.

This is likely the final batch of organized activity. It should wind down around 10 a.m. locally, maybe lingering into the afternoon in southern Maryland or nearest the bay.

5:45 a.m. update: Precipitation waning amid icy conditions

Steadier precipitation of overnight is moving east of Interstate 95 early Tuesday morning. Some sleet and freezing rain have mixed in with the activity as it winds down. About 2.5 to 5 inches of snow is common. Almost all of the precipitation has now fallen.

Temperatures currently range from the upper 20s to lower 30s. Snow-covered and icy roads are the rule. If you’re headed out this morning, take it super slow.

Most schools in the area are closed or delayed Tuesday, as is the federal government.

We’ll do a fuller roundup of totals as they trickle in Tuesday morning, but the airport numbers through midnight were:

3.4 inches at Washington National
4.1 inches at Dulles International and Baltimore-Washington International

In addition to D.C. finally receiving an inch or more of snow in a day for the first time in two years, it’s the most snow in the city since Jan. 3, 2022.

Recovery will be slowed by temperatures remaining near or below freezing through the day. Some more light and showery mixed precipitation is possible this morning but shouldn’t amount to anything of significance.

Today’s daily digit

A somewhat subjective rating of the day’s weather, on a scale of 0 to 10.

3/10: Messy in the morning as icy precipitation lingers.

Express forecast

Today: Light morning mixed precipitation, cloudy afternoon. Highs: 32-38.
Tonight: Clearing, very cold. Lows: 10-20.
Tomorrow: Sunny and cold. Highs: 26-34.

Forecast in detail

A wintry mix of precipitation Tuesday morning keeps conditions inclement before our coldest weather of the winter arrives tonight into tomorrow, even as sunshine returns. It stays cold into the end of the week as we monitor another weather system that could deliver some more light snow. This weekend is dry, but it also looks very cold again. Warmer weather is set to return next week.

Today (Tuesday): Scattered mixed precipitation (snow and freezing rain) is expected mainly this morning that could add a light, slick glaze on top of the fresh snowfall. Any untreated surfaces may be slippery. Clouds continue into the afternoon after the precipitation ends, with highs ranging through the 30s (low 30s in the northwest, closer to 40 southeast). Winds from the north at 10 to 15 mph, with some higher gusts, create an unpleasant wind chill. Confidence: Medium

Tonight: Skies clear and it turns quite cold with lows near 10 in our far western to northwestern suburbs and near 20 in the city. Light winds are from the northwest at 5 to 10 mph. Confidence: Medium

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest weather updates. Keep reading for the forecast through the weekend …

Tomorrow (Wednesday): Sunny skies arrive, but temperatures barely budge as highs range from the mid-20s to mid-30s. Winds from the west are breezy at 10 to 15 mph, occasionally gusting to 20 to 30 mph and making it feel 5 to 10 degrees colder. Confidence: Medium-High.

Tomorrow night: A few clouds prevent it from being as cold as Tuesday night. Lows should range from 15 to 25 degrees. Confidence: Medium-High.

A look ahead

Thursday features more cloud cover with highs ranging from the mid-30s to low 40s. Clouds persist Thursday night with a chance of light snow very late. Lows range from the 20s to near 30. Confidence: Medium.

Friday should stay cloudy with light snow possible. Highs may hold in the low-to-mid 30s. Accumulations, if any, should be light; stay tuned for details on this. Snow chances continue into Friday night, mainly early as lows drop into the upper teens to middle 20s. Confidence: Low-Medium.

The weekend brings one additional strong surge of Arctic air even as skies turn sunnier. Mostly clear skies are favored both days, but Saturday should also be uncomfortably windy as a storm strengthens well offshore. Highs Saturday are only in the 20s to around freezing. Saturday night should be mostly clear, still breezy, and lows should be in the teens to near 20. Sunday sees calmer winds with slightly warmer 30s for highs. Confidence: Medium.

Snow potential index

A daily assessment of the potential for at least 1 inch of snow in the next week, on a 0-10 scale.

5/10: With one event (mostly) behind us, we’re watching another weak system on Friday, with model projections for snowfall ranging from little accumulation to a few inches.

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