NoVA, DC Weather: Winter Storm Warning, Up To 6 Inches Of Snow

WASHINGTON, DC — Weather forecasts have boosted the amount of snow expected to fall on Super Bowl weekend in northern Virginia and the District of Columbia.

The region is under a winter storm warning from late Saturday night through Sunday at noon. National Weather Service forecasters say heavy snow is possible, and snow accumulations could total 6 inches in the warning area.

The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang says it expects heavy snow from the Baltimore-DC region north to Boston.

"The issue with this system isn't necessarily how much snow will fall but how quickly it will come down," The Post said. "The snow will last only about six hours in most spots, but snowfall rates could exceed an inch per hour. In fact, there is the potential for this system to overachieve, with two-inch-per-hour snowfall rates not entirely out of the question."

The District of Columbia, Prince William, Manassas, Manassas Park, Fairfax, Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria, Stafford, Fauquier and Loudoun are under a winter storm warning from 3 a.m. to noon Sunday.

Heavy snow is expected, with total accumulations of 3 to 6 inches. Snow will blanket the area between 3 and 5 a.m. and it may be mixed with rain at the onset. The heaviest snow is expected between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. Sunday.

Snowfall rates around 1 to 2 inches per hour are possible in heavier bands of snow, the NWS said.

"Travel could be very difficult. Snowfall rates around 1 to 2 inches per hour are possible in heavier bands of snow," the NWS said. "Temperatures will rise above freezing Sunday afternoon as the precipitation ends. However, temperatures will quickly fall below freezing Sunday night."

Several counties including Spotsylvania are under a winter storm warning from midnight to noon Sunday. The storm is likely to bring heavy snow with total snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches.

The weather service said snow will overspread the area between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. overnight. The heaviest snow will be between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. overnight into early Sunday morning.

While weather should clear up Sunday night, another round of snow, freezing rain and sleet is predicted to move through the region Monday night into Tuesday.

Residents are encouraged to monitor the forecast and prepare for slippery road conditions.

Here is the NWS forecast for the next several days in the Washington, D.C., region:

Saturday night: A slight chance of rain and snow between 2 am and 3 am, then snow. Low around 32. Light and variable wind becoming southeast around 6 mph in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Sunday: Snow, possibly mixing with rain after noon, then gradually ending. High near 42. North wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Sunday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 18. Northwest wind 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 36. North wind around 6 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.

Monday night: A slight chance of snow between 1 am and 2 am, then a slight chance of freezing rain after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Southeast wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tuesday: A slight chance of freezing rain before 9am, then a slight chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49. Chance of precipitation is 20%.