D.C.-area forecast: Snow shower chance today, accumulating snow possible late Monday

D.C.-area forecast: Snow shower chance today, accumulating snow possible late Monday

* Wind advisory from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday *

11:40 a.m. update: Snow showers have been advancing from northwest to southeast across the region as expected, reducing visibility and dropping a dusting in areas north and west of D.C. They have now reached the District and will continue tracking to the south and east, but probably weaken they do.

Today’s daily digit

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

5/10: Blustery and cold with possible midday snow shower. A good day for indoor play.

Express forecast

• Today: Partly sunny, breezy, midday snow shower possible. Highs: Around 40-45.
• Tonight: Partly to mostly cloudy, diminishing wind, flurries possible late. Lows: Near 20.
• Tomorrow: Cold with flurries, snow shower possible. Highs: Low to mid-30s.

Forecast in detail

The coldest air mass of the season arrives this afternoon and sticks around through much of the week and possibly into next weekend. With the cold, we’ve got a few shots at snow, starting with the chance of a brief snow shower today, followed by a potential period of steadier light snow Monday evening into Tuesday morning with accumulation possible.

Today (Sunday): Temperatures start in the upper 20s to low 30s early this morning, with some morning sun helping them reach around 40 to 45 by late morning to around noon. Morning winds increase from the southwest ahead of an Arctic front that could push a band of snow showers through from northwest to southeast between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Can’t rule out a quick dusting and briefly reduced visibility, mainly north and west of D.C. Late-morning and afternoon winds gust around 35 to 40 mph with afternoon temperatures dropping into the mid-30s to near 40 and wind chills in the mid-20s to near 30. Confidence: Medium-High

Tonight: Winds diminish during the evening, but they’re still a bit breezy, with some gusts near 20 mph. Otherwise, it’s a partly to mostly cloudy and cold night ahead, with just a light breeze overnight, lows in the upper teens to low 20s and snow flurries possible after midnight. Confidence: Medium-High

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Monday (MLK Jr. Day): Plenty of clouds with flurries possible at times and maybe an afternoon snow shower. If you’re planning to spend any time outdoors for parades or other gatherings, please make sure to bundle up! Daytime highs top out in the low to mid-30s. Fortunately, winds are fairly light. Confidence: Medium-High

Tomorrow night: There could be a period of steadier light snow during the evening and overnight. Anything from a dusting to a few inches seems possible. We’ll try to narrow that down with a midday update today. Whatever falls would stick as overnight lows dip to the 20s. Confidence: Low-Medium

A look ahead

Light snow or snow showers could continue into Tuesday morning, with slick spots possible during the morning commute, before drier air moves in during the afternoon. Afternoon highs reach only the low to mid-30s again, with an increasing breeze from the northwest. Tuesday night lows tumble to the teens to near 20. Confidence: Low-Medium

Wednesday looks even colder — quite possibly the coldest we’ve seen this season — with highs in the upper 20s to low 30s and overnight lows in the teens. Winds could be a bit breezy, adding to the brutal chill. Confidence: 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.

5/10 (↑): Watching a possible period of light snow Monday evening into Tuesday morning that could provide a little accumulation. Maybe another shot Friday.