According to the latest weather models, a major snowstorm is set to sweep across the central United States towards the East Coast this weekend!
The weather predictions indicate that an Arctic blast of frigid air is expected, creating ideal conditions for significant snowfall in the Mid-Atlantic region.
How much is it supposed to snow in Washington, D.C. this weekend?
According to the average taken from dozens of simulated snowstorms using several modelling systems, Washingtonians should expect between 8 and 10 inches of snow.
While this is an average based on snowfall predictions from some of the world’s most advanced weather models, some predicted a high of 8 inches of snow, while others predicted as much as 15 inches of snow.
When is it supposed to start snowing around the D.C. area?
Current estimations predict that the snow will begin to fall in the very early hours of Sunday, January 25th, with snow coming down throughout the day until the following morning, on Monday, January 26th.
There is no specific timeline for how much snow will fall throughout the day, and while that may change as the storm approaches, most predictions currently agree that the snow will start very early in the morning on Sunday and continue throughout the day.
Saturday itself is expected to be dry but particularly cold, which will give Washingtonians a day to prepare themselves for the snow – the low for the day is 12-degrees and the high is 19-degrees.
What you should do to prepare for a snowstorm
There are certainly a few things in terms of preparation that will depend on your personal circumstances; do you live in an apartment complex vs a house, is your car parked in a garage vs out on the street, etc…
Overall, you can decide which preparation steps make the most sense for you or your family, but here are a few you should consider:
- Refill your car with gas – you should avoid the roads during these unsafe driving conditions, but once the roads begin to be cleared or if an emergency arises, the last thing you want is to be stuck in a line at the gas station.
- Think of the little ones in your house – whether it be baby formula or pet food, you don’t want to run into a situation where you’re forced to go out in the snow because you forgot to buy extra.
- Ready-to-eat foods – Great to have just in case of a power emergency. If you suddenly can’t cook, these easy meals and snacks could come in handy.
- Flashlights, batteries, and fully charged power banks – Another set of ‘in case of emergency’ items, every household should have these handy, just in case.
- Extra blankets, warm clothing, and extra layers – if you do plan to go out and play in the snow, be sure you have the means to stay warm while you’re out there and then to warm back up quickly once you come back inside!
- Invest in a good de-icer for your car – if you have to take your car out for whatever reason, you’ll need a safe way to clear snow and ice from the windows to ensure clear visibility before you drive. These are much more effective than waiting for the car to heat up and thaw.
- Check your windshield wipers, tires, and antifreeze.
- Prepare for school cancellations / work-from-home conditions on Monday – Given the gravity of the weather reports, it’s a safe assumption that DMV area schools will be impacted and may be cancelled or call for a remote learning day, which means that parents will need to ensure their child has the tools and space for classes from home.
- Test/install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors around your house – Space heaters and fireplaces are likely to be in use this weekend, which means a smoke alarm is a safe investment, and being stuck inside for longer stretches than normal might mean a carbon monoxide leak that’s previously gone undetected could turn deadly.
- Buy a good shovel/rock salt – If you have a walkway, driveway, and sidewalk along your property, you’ll want to have a reliable shovel you can use to clear the snow and some salt that you can use to reduce the risk of ice developing.