“Snowflakes at Dawn, Bitter Cold by Dusk: Winter Arrives in D.C.”

In the stillness of early winter mornings, there are moments when the weather reminds us how quickly the season can change its mood. For residents of the Washington, D.C. area, Sunday is shaping up to be such a day — one that begins with a gentle whisper of snow and evolves into a sharp exhale of cold that spreads across the region. As trees lose their last leaves and daylight hours shorten, nature prepares to sweep in a new chapter of winter’s embrace.

Forecasters are predicting that snow will arrive late Saturday night and continue into Sunday morning, with most communities within the Beltway likely to see about 1 to 3 inches of accumulation. In some areas, especially northeast toward Baltimore, amounts could be slightly higher, while locales south and west of Fairfax County may see lighter totals. This initial snow — soft, white, and deceptively quiet — is expected to fall mainly overnight and taper off by mid‑morning on Sunday, leaving roads and sidewalks slick under the first light of day.

But the story does not end with snowfall. As the snow fades, a blast of Arctic air is poised to rush in, driving temperatures sharply downward. Sunday will bring bitter cold, with highs struggling to rise above freezing and wind chills dipping into the single digits by Sunday night. Layers of ice may form on untreated surfaces as leftover snow stubbornly clings under unrelenting frigid air. Meteorologists warn that lingering ice and very cold conditions could persist through Monday, making travel and outdoor plans challenging.

The contrast between snow and cold is vivid in daily life — the snow might fall gently, but the following drop in temperature bites sharply, turning a quiet Sunday morning into a chilly reminder of winter’s firm hold. Roads that were clear before dawn may become hazardous if untreated, and exposed skin can feel the sting of wind‑tossed cold in minutes. Public safety officials are reminding drivers and pedestrians alike to exercise caution, allow extra time for travel, and bundle up warmly if venturing outside.

Despite the brisk forecast, there is a certain stark beauty in this transition. Snow‑dusted branches and the crisp shine of frost under morning sun capture the fragile, quiet side of winter — a season that asks for patience, preparation, and respect for its power. As the cold settles in, daily rhythms adapt: traffic moves more slowly, breaths form clouds in the air, and the familiarity of winter deepens its familiar grip on the nation’s capital.

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Sources The Washington Post Washington Post weather updates Fox 5 DC National Weather Service forecast WTOP News