Issued at: 3:43 PM EST 2/12/07, expires at: 11:30 PM EST 2/12/07
Winter storm watch remains in effect from Tuesday morning through Wednesday afternoon, A winter storm watch remains in effect from Tuesday morning through Wednesday afternoon.
The potential for significant winter precipitation continues for the mid atlantic Tuesday and Tuesday night. Latest indications continue to suggest warm air a few thousand feet above the surface will be drawn into the system, creating the potential for a significant freezing rain event as surface temperatures will remain below freezing.
At the time of precipitation onset, light rain and snow will dominate over northern and central virginia, the eastern panhandle of west virginia, the potomac highlands and lower southern maryland. Precipitation will begin this evening in the highlands and spread eastward. The precipitation type is expected to change over to snow and sleet tonight. On Tuesday, snow and sleet will change to freezing rain over most areas by the afternoon. Over lower southern maryland, freezing rain may change over to all rain by late Tuesday.
Snow and sleet potential overnight Monday into Tuesday could total an inch or less by Tuesday morning northwest of Washington and baltimore with little to no accumulation expected over central virginia and southern maryland. Tuesday and Tuesday night, significant accumulations of freezing rain are likely across most of region. Temperatures are forecast to remain below freezing from Monday night through Wednesday morning, with the exception of lower southern maryland.
Those with travel plans, decision makers, and planners should closely monitor forecasts for updates. Accumulating freezing rain will cause travel problems and power outages.