D.C. area braces for possible snow storm

The D.C. area on Monday was beginning to brace itself for what could be the first significant snowfall in two years.

More than 5 inches of snow could blanket the area between Tuesday and Wednesday nights, according to a National Weather Service winter storm watch announcement. And while warmer temperatures might help to avoid maximum accumulation, it could mean flooding troubles in some areas.

Heavy, wet snow is predicted for areas north and west of the District, as well as winds as high as 40 mph, meaning a loss of a few tree limbs — and perhaps some downed power lines.

“D.C. is usually on that rain-snow line,” National Weather Service Science and Operations Officer Steve Zubrick said. “That line is going to be wavering around. We could get a couple hours of rain, and then your snow production is much less.”

Though the forecast specific to the storm only goes out through Wednesday afternoon, Mr. Zubrick said the wintry weather should last through Wednesday evening.

Tuesday’s temperatures will hover in the mid-40s, while at night the low could drop to 33 degrees.

“It can snow very well at 33 degrees, but it’s not going to be the horrible impact on the roads if it were 15 degrees out,” Mr. Zubrick said.

Temperatures throughout the rest of the week should stay in the 40s, which means “there’s going to be a lot of melting” Mr. Zubrick said.

“There could be a small threat of localized flooding,” he added, “just not anything really substantial.”

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