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Here we 'snow' again, light brush with snow, rain Friday

Precipitation will end Friday evening, some slick spots are possible.

WASHINGTON — Have you had enough of winter weather for the season yet? D.C. has another chance of snow and rain on Friday as a weak weather system moves through. 

This will not be a major winter storm, but will still bring some light rain and snow to the area. D.C. averages 1.3 inches of snow for the month of March. Here's what you need to know about timing and snow potential for Friday. 

RELATED: Rain and snow showers this evening, much warmer Sunday

Overview:
- What: Chance of light rain and/or snow Friday
- Timing: Starting around 11 a.m. in D.C. Friday and ending around 7 p.m. Critical timing: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Accumulations: A coating on grassy/elevated surfaces in the D.C. Metro, very little to none (one inch or less) well north and west of the metro at higher elevations
- Confidence: High

Model Comparison -- Futurecast

The American Model (GFS) brings the rain and snow in during late morning/early afternoon and peaks the event during the afternoon with snow north of the D.C. Metro, a mix in the Metro and all rain southeast. With the snow falling during daylight hours in March, roads would be wet, but a slushy coating on the grass northwest of the Metro is a slight possibility.

The European Model brings the rain and snow in during the morning along Interstate 81 and not until the afternoon for the Metro. It's a mix in D.C., the mix line is over D.C. with snow northwest of that line. It's gone by early Friday evening. Like the GFS, with the snow falling during daylight hours in March, roads would be wet, but a slushy coating on the grass northwest of the Metro would be possible.


Snow Potential -- Not Enough To Be Excited About
Northwest of the Metro, you could get a coating, but this will be no blockbuster event by any stretch of the imagination.

Roadways
As of Friday morning, the timing of this storm looks to be a daytime event. We think roads will stay wet. Our March sun angle provides stronger solar radiation than earlier in the year and can effectively keep roads wet even with temperatures right at or below freezing, so snow may fall in some areas in the a.m. and the p.m. commutes, but the roads will stay wet.

Recap: What We Know

  • There is the chance of snow and rain in the area Friday in D.C. and exiting in the early evening. 
  • This will be weak system. It is not a powerful winter storm. Overall light rain and snow are possible.
  • With snow falling during the daylight hours, roads will stay wet thanks to stronger solar radiation from our March sunshine. 
  • Little to no accumulations are expected. The greatest potential for a light coating of snow on the grass and elevated surfaces will be northwest of the D.C. metro. All accumulations look to be less than one inch.





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