Regardless, here is the deal with this storm.  It should start for the majority of the DC area later this evening as some light snow, and as a light mix further south and east towards Southern Maryland, Stafford and south.  Light snow will continue through the early overnight hours, and should begin to pick up across midnight.  After midnight is when things will really begin to deteriorate through the region.  The area of low pressure is expected to rapidly intensify off the east coast, driven by a strong upper-level disturbance and jet stream to enhance vertical motion.

Here is the storm by tomorrow afternoon, wrapped up as a 984mb low with packed isobars across the DC area meaning very strong northwesterly winds.  Winds should be around 25 to 30 mph gusting close to 45 mph at times.  This coupled with wet snowfall will make for plenty of downed trees and maybe even additional roof collapses.  If you can get out of your house, do it as soon as possible and get any necessities you may need over the next couple of days.  Flashlights and batteries may be essential, as well as non-perishable food and water.  A generator may be a good idea if there are any available as some places may be out of power for a while, particularly if you are in a rural area.  At this point, 10 to 15 inches of snowfall still appears likely, with more north and east of DC, and less south and east of DC with mixing likely.  Be prepared to be stuck at home once again and stay safe throughout the storm.

Reagan National Airport - 17.8", 4th largest snowstorm of all time, just ahead of the Blizzard of 1996

BWI Thurgood Marshall - 24.8", 2nd largest snowstorm of all time

Dulles Airport - 32.4", largest snowstorm of all time

Snow for the year...

45.1" at Reagan National Airport, 3rd snowiest Winter of all time, 9.3" away from the snowiest Winter of all time.

A widespread 20 to 30 inches was recorded across the region.  Now we are worrying about the cold temperatures freezing the wet, heavy snow already in place.  Later we will have to worry about another potential snowstorm (not as big) Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.  Energy from this system is currently split between a disturbance along the west coast and another disturbance over Canada that will phase together just east of the Rockies Monday night into Tuesday morning.  Currently, there will be the potential for multiple inches of snowfall on top of what has already fallen.  We know this is not good with all of the power outages, and traffic problems throughout the region.  We wish we could do something about it!  We will keep you posted to every detail we get into the ABC 7 Weather Center over the next couple of days and will let you know our thoughts as the next system approaches.

This major winter storm is not over just yet!  Winds will remain elevated, sustained at 15 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 35 mph at times.  Last night through today a lighter fluffier snow fell across the region. This fluffy snow, in combination with gusty winds, will result in blowing and drifting today into the overnight.  Today we expect periods of snow to continue into the early afternoon before transitioning to snow showers. By this evening the storm system should begin to pull away allowing the snow to gradually come to an end. An additional 5 to 10 inches of snow can be anticipated as temperatures hold or fall through the 20s by evening. 

Tonight temperatures will drop into the teens which will mean that any surfaces that are sufficiently treated will refreeze.

Sunday skies will be partly sunny but little melting will occur as daytime high temperatures will only near 30 degrees. Another night in the teens will follow.

By Tuesday another storm system may bring another shot at a wintry mix to the region but exact details are not yet clear.