WINTER STORM WARNING!

The National Weather Service has issued a WINTER STORM WARNING, effective midnight tonight through 6pm Wed. An area of low pressure, currently developing to our south, will begin to slide NE towards the tri-state. Out ahead of it, widespread precipitation will develop in the form of snow. I expect the first flakes to hit the ground between 2-3am, quickly becoming steady. The snow, heavy at times, will continue through the late afternoon hours before it winds down in evening. By then, we will have a solid 3-6″. The snow will wind down for a brief period (bit of a lull in the action), but will once again commence tomorrow night as the ULL (upper-level low) spins overhead. With the added energy and lift tomorrow night, expect another couple inches of snow. In total (by Wed AM), all of the immediate tri-state will see a solid 5-8″, with 8″+ just to the north/northwest of the metro. In addition, with an abundance of energy at the mid/upper levels, spotty thundersnow is possible midday tomorrow through tomorrow evening. If that occurs, rapid accumulation in a very short period of time (2″+ an hour rates) would be likely. As for schools, I expect all to be closed tomorrow. A delay would be inefficient as the snow will continue through the afternoon (same goes for an early-dismissal). Roads will become slick and hazardous tomorrow, continuing through much of Wed as temps will be well below freezing (harder to melt/clear). I will have hourly (bi-hourly if necessary) updates posted through the night, so stay tuned!