Wintery mix expected in nation’s capital tomorrow

Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling
Story by Joseph P Cirone

Date: 11.25.2013
Posted: 11.25.2013 16:29
News ID: 117355

WASHINGTON – A wintery mix of rain, snow and ice is predicted for the National Capital Region on Tuesday into Wednesday, which is expected to impact morning and afternoon rush hours.

The National Weather Service has forecast the storm’s arrival to be between 4 and 6 a.m. on Tuesday and completion of the storm during the afternoon on Wednesday.

Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling plans will continue normal operations during the storm’s progression. All personnel scheduled to report to work are expected to do so.

“This is a large storm with lots of rain,” said Chris Strong, warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Sterling, Va., which provides forecasts for the Baltimore-Washington area. Up to two inches of rain is expected.

“I’m most concerned with the beginning and ending of the approaching coastal low pressure system on Tuesday and Wednesday,” he said.

As the storm begins, a wintery mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain is expected before becoming all rain in afternoon.

Temperatures in the nation’s capital are expected to be at the freezing mark and in the 20s in the outlying areas. “There is a possibility of icy roadways between 4 a.m. and 1 p.m. on the roadways west of the District of Columbia,” Strong cautioned. Up to an inch of rain may fall at first, followed by one-tenth of an inch of freezing rain in outlying areas, he predicted.

Road crews in Maryland and Virginia have already begun pre-treating major roadways and bridges in the areas expected to be most impacted by slippery conditions. Commuter rail officials in both states indicated they do not expect any major impact from the approaching weather.

Rain is expected to continue through the night on Tuesday and into Wednesday.

While too early to predict with great precision, the National Weather Service expects the storm will be moving out of the area during Wednesday’s afternoon rush hour, with the temperature in the upper 30s to 40 degrees.

With winds forecast to increase on Wednesday, rain may change to snow during the afternoon in some of the area, as the storm comes to an end. “We are just not sure yet, it is too early to tell,” Strong said.

JBAB follows the guidance of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Throughout the night, OPM will be monitoring the storm’s progress and its expected impact on the federal workforce. Should OPM authorize a late arrival; telework or other action, non-emergency essential JBAB personnel should heed the OPM guidance or consult their immediate supervisor.