A fast-moving winter storm that swept across the eastern United States on Friday caused slick travel and widespread school schedule changes from Virginia to Maryland. AccuWeather forecasters say the system has connected with enough cold air to create a band of snow and ice stretching from Oklahoma and Missouri to the mid-Atlantic.
Snow is most likely in the mountains of Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia, with lighter bands stretching toward Washington, D.C. Forecasters warn of brief, slick conditions in Philadelphia.
Slippery roads
Pockets of 2-4 inches of snow were reported in parts of Virginia, including Roanoke, Harrisonburg and Richmond. Even minimal accumulations and a thin glaze of ice caused hazardous road conditions throughout the region. Hazardous travel is expected on unimproved roads and sidewalks.
Reduced visibility is causing delays at major hubs including Washington, DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York.
Farther south, rain moving into northern Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas will produce 1-2 inches of rainfall with isolated 2-4 inch pockets, increasing the risk of urban flooding.
Pockets of snow and ice are expected at higher elevations with a risk of localized flooding from British Columbia to Oregon.
School closings and delays in the DC–Maryland–Virginia region
Snowfall in Northern Virginia and Maryland
Light snow began to fall early Friday with temperatures in the 20s and 20s, leading to a chaotic morning commute and extensive schedule adjustments in Northern Virginia and Maryland.
Arlington Public Schools, Fairfax County, Loudoun County and several other districts announced two-hour delays for Friday, marking the first snow delays of the season for many schools.
Maryland School Adjustments
Schools in the Baltimore area also reported numerous delays as icy conditions developed. Less than an inch of snow is expected in Baltimore, while Anne Arundel County could get about an inch.
St. Mary’s County under advisory
St. Mary’s County, Maryland is under a Winter Weather Advisory from 4:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Friday. Snowfall of 1-4 inches is forecast, with the heaviest snowfall between 4:00 a.m. and noon.
