Winter Weather Alert in the Mid-Atlantic

After the first snowfall of the season recently hit parts of Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, another swift winter storm is brewing in the mid-Atlantic region, marking the official start of meteorological winter in the U.S.

Snow and sleet are ongoing in southern Virginia and West Virginia, spreading into northern North Carolina by Monday, as a quick-moving storm system drifts off the East Coast, tapping into the region’s chilly atmosphere.

On Monday morning, some areas, especially in the mountains of western North Carolina, may not be cold enough for snow. Instead, residents might face freezing rain and sleet, which could pose a greater hazard for drivers than snow would.

By midday, rain in southern Virginia and northern North Carolina is expected to transition to snow.

In Raleigh, people can anticipate at least an inch of snow, while Asheville may see some accumulation. The Blue Ridge Mountains further north can expect even higher totals.

Conversely, areas near Washington, D.C. might witness only a few flurries without significant accumulation.

Drivers along Interstate 95 in eastern Virginia could accumulate one to two inches of snow by Monday night.

A winter weather warning is in effect across most of Virginia and northern North Carolina, where snow totals of between one to three inches are anticipated.

Moreover, a winter storm warning has been issued for south-central Virginia, projecting snow totals of three to five inches by Monday.

This storm aligns with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) prior predictions, which suggested an active start to winter, partly fueled by the La Niña weather pattern.

As the storm moves away from the coast, cold air is expected to linger into Monday night and early Tuesday. In Washington, D.C., nighttime temperatures may plunge into the teens.