Blizzard warning updates: Waking up to thundersnow as white stuff piles past one foot and counting

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*** D.C. area forecast: Blizzard rages today, ending tonight after giant snowfall ***

Key points:

Snow totals have reached the 12-18″ range this morning, with snow expected to continue through late tonight.
Thundersnow has been reported. Extreme snowfall rates of two to three inches per hour are possible this morning N&W of D.C., easing a bit this afternoon.
A lull in the snow is possible mainly south and east of D.C. where sleet could mix in as well.
Wind gusts of 40-50 mph cause whiteout conditions today with blowing and drifting snow. Winds are likely strongest east of the District toward the Bay.
Total snow accumulations of 16-30 inches. expected. Highest north and west of District, lowest southeast.

8:45 a.m. update: As we await the latest model data to get a better idea on how much snow is left to go (we think we’re still on track for generally 16-30″, we’re on the lookout for official blizzard conditions, which require “snow and/or blowing snow reducing visibility to 1/4 mile or less for 3 hours or longer AND sustained winds of 35 mph or greater or frequent gusts to 35 mph or greater” according to the National Weather Service. The criteria has not yet been met at National, Dulles or BWI. Although Dulles did report a wind gust of 46 mph earlier this morning and six consecutive hours of quarter-mile visibility. The winds are really ripping at the beaches where flooding is occurring in Ocean City…

8:25 a.m. update: How much more snow? The short-range HRRR model below shows around 20 inches falling across the immediate metro area between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. today (on top of what fell yesterday afternoon and overnight). An image like this is what we like to call “weather porn.” It is likely quite exaggerated. We’ll be back shortly with a more realistic estimate.

HRRR model snowfall forecast for 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. today.

8:00 a.m. update: North and west of D.C. and I-95, the snow continues steady and heavy at times at the moment, and that should continue to be the case throughout the day. As we discussed below, an anticipated dry slot with lighter precipitation has moved into areas from D.C. and toward the south and east. So for those of you in the District, Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, Charles and Stafford counties and toward points south and east, you may be in and out of lighter snow (with possible some sleet mixed in) before steadier and heavier snow likely picks up again during the afternoon. The NAM high-resolution radar simulation for 5 a.m. today through 4 a.m. tomorrow depicts this well…

Forrás: https://www.washingtonpost.com