Winter storm potential next Sunday for parts of VA, MD

2024 will start off on a quiet note with partly to mostly sunny skies through Wednesday, cloudy skies Thursday with a few showers near the coast, and temperatures about normal for this time of year (upper 20s for lows, mid 40s for highs). Rain chances will remain low through next Saturday. Then things turn interesting, at least for folks along the Blue Ridge and into the Shenandoah Valley and into central/western Maryland.

Most of the major forecast models have been showing a strong low pressure system moving northeast out of the western Carolinas, for the past week. This low pressure area then encounters a wedge of cold air across western Virginia and Maryland, cold enough in at least these areas to sustain snow for the entire duration of the event. We’re talking Roanoke to Winchester, perhaps as far east as Charlottesville, Culpepper, Gainsville and Leesburg. Areas further east of the ones I just highlighted would remain above freezing, if the current track of the storm system holds, and remain all rain.

The potential is there for significant accumulations in the valley and along the Blue Ridge along with gusty winds at times. Not going to get into exact amounts yet since things will still shift around a bit with seven days to go. But just be aware that travel could be difficult in the valley and western Maryland next Sunday/Monday. I’ll post another update Tuesday or Wednesday as things come into sharper focus.