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If you’ve been waiting for a reason to finally go buy that heavy-duty shovel or restock the salt, this is probably the week to do it. After a pretty quiet start to winter, the DMV is staring down a legitimate "Significant Threat" for a major snowstorm this weekend, paired with some of the most brutal Arctic air we’ve seen in a while.
Here is the breakdown of what to expect over the next few days.
The Midweek "Fake-Out"
Don't let Thursday fool you. While today is biting and cold (highs barely hitting 30°F), we’re going to see a brief pop in temperatures on Thursday, Jan 22. We could hit 50°F under some decent sunshine. It’ll feel great, but it’s essentially the "calm before the storm"—that warm-up is just the atmosphere resetting before the Arctic gates open.
The Weekend Timeline: Snow & Ice
By Friday night, the bottom falls out. A massive cold front is moving in, and unlike our usual "will-it-won't-it" rain/snow lines, this air is so cold that anything that falls is almost certainly going to be pure snow.
- Friday: Clouds roll in and temps drop fast. Expect a high of only 39°F, but it’ll plummet to the teens overnight.
- Saturday: This is when things get real. Snow is likely to start moving in by the afternoon or evening. Highs will struggle to even reach 21°F.
- Sunday: This looks like the "peak" of the event. Forecasters are currently tracking a 60–70% chance of heavy snow through most of the day. Because it's going to be so cold, the snow will be light and fluffy, meaning it’ll accumulate quickly and blow around easily.
- The Verdict: While it’s still early for exact "inch" counts, several models are hinting at 6+ inches, with some higher-end scenarios suggesting a foot or more if the storm stalls.
The "Painful" Cold
Even if the snow misses your specific neighborhood, you can't escape the cold. By Sunday night and Monday morning, we are looking at:
Actual Lows: 10°F to 14°F.
Wind Chills: Potentially below zero.
The "Monday Problem": With temps staying well below freezing through Monday afternoon (high of 25°F), any snow that falls isn't going anywhere. Expect a mess for the Monday morning commute and a high likelihood of school delays or closures.
Bottom Line
If you have weekend plans, keep a very close eye on the Friday updates. This isn't just a "conversational" dusting, it’s a high-impact setup.