Storm Watch: Snow and freezing rain to impact morning commute

Overnight, the clouds will thicken up and the snow arrives between 2-4 a.m. The snow will continue to fall through the morning commute, sticking to surfaces and adding up to a coating to 3 inches. About 7-9 a.m. , the snow will be transitioning to a wintry mix of freezing rain and sleet. This is a horrible precipitation type to deal with as icy surfaces are tough to navigate for all types of transportation. From cars to walking and even the metro rails, all could see slick and icy spots appear for millions of people. After about 9 a.m., the wintry mix will be changing over to rain. This is due to the temperatures gradually warming up through the morning hours. Between 11 a.m. to 1 p.m, the showers will be wrapping up from west to east as the system pulls away. Roadways may still be slick but road crews should have time to treat surfaces before the evening commute is under way.

If you happen to have the ability to work remotely, Thursday is a good day to work from home. The less people out on the roads, the less people potentially will be impacted by the weather. This will also give the road crews time to deal with the system and treat and plow roads. Any unplowed and untreated surfaces could see refreezing occur overnight. So, it would be a good idea to put down de-icing agents and shovel snow for walkways, stairs and driveways. By Thursday night, the skies will be partly cloudy with drier and colder air moving in overnight into Friday. Friday will be a mix of sun and clouds with breezy winds at times.
Saturday into Sunday has another system arriving. This will also bring a variety of winter precipitation to the region, starting Saturday afternoon. The snow is highly likely to accumulate and may add up to several inches. There will be a change over to a wintry mix overnight where sleet and freezing rain will be a problem. By Sunday morning, rain is falling down with showers wrapping up by the midday hours.

FORECAST:

THURSDAY: STORM WATCH (Morning) - Cloudy with snow to a mix to rain showers from the overnight hours to midday. The afternoon to evening hours will be drier. Feels: mid-20s to low 30s. Highs: mid-30s. Lows: low 30s.

FRIDAY: A mix of sun and clouds with breezy winds at times. Feels: mid- to upper 20s. Highs: upper 30s. Lows: upper 10s to low 20s.

SATURDAY: STORM WATCH (Evening) - Mostly cloudy to cloudy with snow and a wintry mix arriving by the afternoon. Feels: mid-10s to low 30s. Highs: mid-30s. Lows: upper 20s.

SUNDAY: STORM WATCH (AM) - Cloudy with a mix to rain showers lasting for the morning hours. Partly cloudy, drier and breezy winds to follow. Feels: low 30s. Highs: upper 30s. Lows: upper 10s to low 20s.

MONDAY: Mix of sun and clouds. Feels: low 20s to low 30s. Highs: mid 30s. Lows: low 20s.

TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy, with a chance for snow showers. Feels: low 20s to low 30s. Highs: low to mid 30s. Lows: low 20s.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy, with a chance for snow showers. Highs: low 30s. Lows: upper 10s to low 20s.

THURSDAY: Cloudy, with a chance for snow showers. Highs: upper 20s to low 30s. Lows: upper 10s to low 20s.

FRIDAY: VALENTINE'S DAY - Mostly sunny. Highs: upper 20s. Lows: upper 10s to low 20s.

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy with a chance for snow and rain showers. Highs: mid-30s. Lows: mid to upper 20s.

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