Updated D.C. forecast: Snow exits region after quick coating, turning windy this afternoon

We’ll have a quick new article later this morning summarizing snowfall totals — which were generally rather light between trace amounts and an inch in the immediate area.

8:35 a.m. update: Things have behaved pretty much as expected this morning, with the rain changing to snow during the past couple of hours, but roads mainly just wet within a one-county radius of D.C. The snow will be briefly heavy in some locations during the next hour before tapering, leaving a light accumulation on grass for some.

The snow has accumulated lightly on grassy surfaces from Montgomery and Fairfax counties to the north and west, with slushy roads in Frederick, Carroll, Loudoun and northern Fauquier counties. About 4 inches of snow was reported in northern Frederick County.

From Northwest D.C and I-95 toward points west, temperatures have dropped to 32-34 degrees. That hasn’t been cold enough for snow to accumulate on roads, which have been relatively warm in recent days. The snow -- in some places a mix of snow, rain and even some sleet -- is on track to taper and exit the DMV from west to east between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Temperatures should quickly climb back into the mid- to upper 30s thereafter, and into the 40s this afternoon.

7:30 a.m. update: The transition from rain to snow, possibly mixed with sleet in some places, has reached a line approximately from Gaithersburg to Manassas and will continue to advance from northwest to southeast toward the Beltway and D.C. during the next hour.

Watch out for sudden drops in visibility and possibly some slush on roads and sidewalks north and west of D.C. in Montgomery, Howard and northern Fairfax counties, especially the northern and northwestern portions of those counties as temperatures dip to around 32 to 35 degrees. Roads and sidewalks are snowier farther north and west (Frederick, Carroll, northern and western Loudoun, and northern Fauquier counties) where the snow started earlier and it’s colder.

From D.C. and I-95 to the east, temperatures should stay just warm enough to keep most roads just wet, but reduced visibilities and a light grass accumulation are possible.

It’s not impossible there could even be a couple of claps of thunder with the snow.

Precipitation tapers form west to east around 9:30-10:30 a.m. with temperatures rising back into the mid- to upper 30s by around 10-11 a.m.

6:25 a.m. update: Radar shows a lull in the rain around the Beltway now. The rain has changed to snow to the west and northwest of D.C. in Frederick and northern Loudoun counties, and is now doing so in northwest Montgomery County.

Rain will change to snow from northwest to southeast across the DMV now through about 8:30 a.m. Temperatures will drop into the low 30s as that happens, with the best chance of snow accumulation on roads north and west of D.C. and I-95.

Some will see the snow heavy at times with reduced visibilities, which could come on very quickly without warning. Precipitation should exit the area from west to east around 9:30 to 11 a.m.

Today’s daily digit

A somewhat subjective rating of the day’s weather, on a scale of 0 to 10.

5/10: Sloppy snowflakes shake up the scene; some say it’s nice, others mean.

Express forecast

• Today: Rain changes to snow this morning, then clearing, windy. Highs: Near 45.
• Tonight: Mostly clear, breezy. Lows: 26-34.
• Tomorrow: Sunny, breezy. Highs: 42-48.

Forecast in detail

A departing storm should throw some wet snow at us this morning before departing this afternoon and leaving behind lots of wind. The rest of the week is relatively tranquil with a warming trend into Thursday and Friday before a chance of light precipitation on Saturday. Seasonably nice weather returns for Sunday and Presidents’ Day.

Today (Tuesday): Early morning rain should gradually mix with and shift to wet snow from northwest to southeast across the area before ending between 10 a.m. and midday. Snow could briefly fall heavily between about 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., reducing visibility and perhaps causing some slushy roads, especially in colder parts of the region. The accumulation, mainly on grassy areas, probably ranges from up to an inch or two in our far north and west suburbs to a wet coating around the District and to the south. Skies clear and it becomes blustery in the afternoon but highs climbing well into the 40s should quickly dispense with any snow that sticks. Gusty winds also help dry us out as they blow from the northwest at 15 to 25 mph with gusts as high as 30-40 mph. Confidence: Medium

Tonight: Clearing, colder, and still breezy with lows from the mid-20s to mid-30s. Winds from the northwest at 10-20 mph with gusts up to 25 mph at times. Confidence: High

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest weather updates. Keep reading for the forecast through the weekend …

Tomorrow (Wednesday): Sunny and still breezy with highs ranging through the 40s. Winds are still blowing from the northwest at 10 to 15 mph with some gusts up to 20-25. Confidence: High

Tomorrow night: Mostly clear with lows from the mid-20s to low 30s with lighter winds. Confidence: High

A look ahead

Thursday should start on the sunnier side, but then clouds increase during the day as highs rebound into the milder upper 40s to mid-50s. Partly cloudy Thursday night with lows in the 30s. Confidence: Medium-High

Friday returns partly to mostly sunny skies with highs reaching the mid-40s to near 50 again. Friday night becomes mostly cloudy with lows in the upper 20s to low 30s. Confidence: Medium

The start of the holiday weekend is tricky as a weak weather system rolls through. Saturday leans cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers possible. No significant accumulation is anticipated. Highs are expected to range through the 40s. Saturday night could still see a rain or snow shower under partly to mostly cloudy skies as lows range from the upper 20s to mid-30s. Sunday and Presidents’ Day Monday feature mostly sunny conditions with highs in the upper 40s to low 50s. Sunday night is clear with lows in the 20s to low 30s. Confidence: Low-Medium

Snow potential index

A daily assessment of the potential for at least 1 inch of snow in the next week, on a 0-10 scale.

3/10 (↑): If precipitation is heavy enough, we could sneak a slushy inch or so in our colder areas this morning; any chances for snow after that look pretty weak.