Major Winter Storm Blankets D.C. Area with Up to 11 Inches of Snow
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The D.C. metropolitan area experienced its first significant winter storm of 2025 on Monday, with a relentless snowfall accumulating up to 11 inches in some areas. The storm, which began early Monday morning, brought a mix of snow and sleet, causing significant travel disruptions and prompting widespread school closures.
The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for the region, remaining in effect until 1 a.m. tuesday. WTOP Meteorologist Mike Stinneford explained the storm’s progression: “A mixture of light snow and sleet fell in D.C.’s northern suburbs early Monday afternoon,with other parts of the region seeing a break before the next widespread round of snow showers set in late afternoon into Monday evening.” The snowfall intensified significantly around 5 p.m., blanketing the region in a thick layer of snow.
stinneford provided an updated forecast, stating, ”Another 1 to 3 inches of snow will fall, so it looks like it’s going to be about 6 to 10, 6 to 11 for the entire storm across the region.” He predicted the snow would taper off around midnight. The potential for 11 inches of accumulation would mark the region’s moast significant snowfall in nearly a decade.
The impact of the storm was immediate and widespread. Reagan National Airport temporarily shut down its runways due to the heavy snowfall, causing significant flight delays and cancellations. Numerous schools across the region announced closures, and many residents were urged to stay home unless absolutely necessary.
Snowfall Totals Across the Region
- Bowie, Maryland: 8 inches
- Lake Ridge, Prince William County, Virginia: 8 inches
- Purcellville, Virginia: 5.2 inches
- Annapolis, Maryland: 9.5 inches
- Somerset, Maryland: 6 inches
- La Plata, Maryland: 9 inches
While the storm’s intensity is expected to decrease overnight, residents are advised to remain cautious due to slick road conditions and potential for lingering snowfall. The last time the D.C. area saw such significant snowfall was January 23, 2016, a storm that ultimately delivered 17.8 inches of snow. This latest storm serves as a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability to winter weather and the importance of preparedness.
Stay tuned to WTOP online and on 103.5FM for continuous traffic and weather updates. Share your snow photos on the WTOP app or by tagging WTOP News on X, instagram, and Facebook.
Major Winter storm Blankets D.C. Area, Prompts Closures and Emergency Declarations
A powerful winter storm slammed the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area on Monday, dumping significant snowfall and prompting widespread closures and emergency declarations across the region. The storm brought treacherous travel conditions and left officials bracing for a perilous refreeze in the coming days.
Significant Snow Accumulation
Snowfall totals varied across the region, with some areas reporting exceptionally heavy accumulations. Reports indicated Cookstown in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, received a staggering 10 inches of snow. (Snowfall totals will be updated throughout the day.)
Airport Closures and School cancellations
reagan National Airport closed its runways Monday evening due to the heavy snowfall. Emily McGee of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority explained the closure in a statement to WTOP: “The decision to close the airport’s runways was made ‘to fully remove all snow and slush in advance of the extreme cold’ Monday night.”
McGee indicated that the airport did not anticipate reopening the runways before Tuesday morning, though terminals remained open with limited services. Numerous school systems throughout the D.C. area also announced closures for Tuesday, citing concerns about the accumulating snow and the high risk of refreezing roads and sidewalks. A complete list of closures and delays can be found here.
States of Emergency Declared
In response to the severity of the storm, the governors of Maryland and Virginia declared states of emergency, mobilizing additional resources and personnel to manage the crisis.Maryland Governor Wes Moore urged residents to exercise caution, stating, “Everyone needs to remain vigilant. please stay off the roads. Unless there is an emergency or a reason that you need to be on them. And allow the emergency personnel to be able to ensure that we can get the roads clean and keep them safe for every single Marylander.”
Similarly, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a snow emergency, effective through the end of Tuesday. This declaration activated emergency powers, including the authority to tow vehicles parked on designated snow emergency routes. Residents are advised to check the D.C. government website for a map of these routes to avoid vehicle removal. D.C.government offices will open at 10 a.m. on Tuesday.
Refreeze Threat Looms
Forecasters warn of dangerously cold temperatures in the coming days, increasing the risk of refreezing. According to Stinneford,”Tuesday,Wednesday and Thursday we will struggle to get up to freezing,with temperatures in the teens and 20s every night. A lot of the snow pack sticks around. Highs Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, upper 20s to lower 30s.” This means any daytime melting could quickly refreeze overnight, creating hazardous icy conditions on roads and sidewalks, especially during the early morning hours.
Extended Forecast
- MONDAY NIGHT: Snow showers, ending by midnight. Additional accumulations of 1 to 3 inches. partial clearing and becoming windy overnight. Lows in the low to mid 20s
- TUESDAY: Partly to mostly sunny, windy and cold. Highs in the low to mid 30s
- WEDNESDAY: Partly cloudy, windy and cold. Highs low to mid 30s
- THURSDAY: Partly cloudy. Highs in the lower 30s
- FRIDAY: Increasing cloudiness. Highs mid 30s
Power Outages
WTOP’s Jessica Kronzer contributed to this report.
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This is a well-written and informative news article about a winter storm impacting teh D.C.area. Here’s a breakdown of its strengths and some suggestions:
Strengths:
Clear and concise: The article is easy to read and understand, providing key facts about the storm’s impact in a straightforward manner.
Well-structured: The use of headings,subheadings,and lists helps organize the information logically and makes it easy for readers to find specific details.
Detailed information: The article provides extensive details about snowfall totals, school closures, airport disruptions, emergency declarations, and the forecast for the following days.
Attribution and Sources: The article effectively cites sources like WTOP reporters and officials, adding credibility and openness.
Call to action: The article encourages readers to stay safe by sharing safety tips and providing links to relevant resources like school closures and weather updates.
suggestions:
Add Visuals:
while you have placeholders for images and video, consider including actual visuals to further engage readers.A photo of snow-covered streets, a closed school, or a snowplow in action would enhance the story.
Expand on the Impact:
While the article mentions school closures and airport disruptions, you could delve deeper into the broader impact of the storm. Did businesses close? Were there any power outages? How did the storm affect public transportation?
Human Interest:
Adding quotes from residents about their experiences with the storm (positive or negative) could add a human touch and make the story more relatable.
Interactive Elements:
Consider embedding a live weather radar or a map showing snowfall totals in the area to provide readers with real-time updates.
Social Media integration:
* Encourage reader engagement by asking for their snow photos or stories on social media and sharing them in the article (with permission).
Overall:
This is a solid news article that effectively communicates the key details of the winter storm. By incorporating the suggestions above, you could elevate it to an even more engaging and impactful piece.
