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2:30 p.m. Update - Winter Weather Advisory Canceled

The forecast for snow accumulations has lessened in Alexandria and throughout Northern Virginia.

Update 2:30 p.m. Thursday: The winter weather advisory for the D.C. metro area has been canceled.

Temperatures are now expected to remain in the mid- to upper 30s with rain. Some snow may mix in with the rain later this evening, but accumulations are unlikely. 

Are you relieved or disappointed? Tell us in the comments... 

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Update 11:30 a.m. Thursday: It's still not snowing yet. But, radar indicates light precipitation in the area with a temperature of 44. 

The temperature will be dropping throughout the afternoon, reaching into the low 30s by 5 p.m., when rain will change to snow. Most snow, if any, will be out of the area by midnight. 

Stay tuned... 

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Update 6:40 a.m. Thursday: The forecast has shifted a bit. Alexandria is now under a winter weather advisory from 10 a.m. Thursday through 1 a.m. Friday. 

Accumulations are now estimated at just 1 - 3 inches.

According to the National Weather Service: "Occasional rain this morning will mix with and then change to snow early this afternoon. Periods of snow are possible in the late afternoon and evening. Snow may be locally heavy at times, especially south of Washington, D.C. Snow will come an end tonight.

Alexandria City Public Schools are not closed or delayed today—get up, kids!

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Update 4:29 p.m. Wednesday: The National Weather Service has adjusted its snow accumulations forecast down to four inches from the five inches meteorologists predicted earlier.

Forecasts are still unclear, largely because accumulations will depend on falling air temperatures, ground temperature and how much moisture comes with this weather system.

See:

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Original Post: 12:57 p.m. Wednesday

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for Northern Virginia.

The watch is in effect starting Thursday morning and will continue until late Thursday night.

Heavy snow is expected Thursday, with accumulations “in excess of five inches possible,” according to the weather service.   

Snow may be mixed with rain early Thursday, particularly south of Washington, D.C., but the mix will change to all snow late Thursday morning. Snow may be heavy Thursday afternoon. Temperatures will be in the lower 30s Thursday, with light winds from the northwest.  

According to NWS, a winter storm watch means there is a potential for snow accumulations that will affect travel conditions.

See Driving Tips for Winter Weather before you leave your house Thursday morning.

In Alexandria, school closure announcements are made via phone, the ACPS website and other outlets.

Are you happy it might snow? Do you think we’ll really get 5 inches or more? Tell us in the comments!

McBrinn January 16, 2013 at 07:10 pm
Get your wine and TP now!!!!!!!
Beth Lawton (Editor) January 16, 2013 at 07:51 pm
If we had a 'like' button to hit for that comment, I would hit it.
doug redman January 16, 2013 at 08:14 pm
I hope they are right but I'll believe when I see it.
Kristen January 17, 2013 at 01:51 pm
Agreed!
Beth Lawton (Editor) January 17, 2013 at 07:31 pm
We just posted an update to the story and it now appears unlikely that we'll see snow -- and if we see any, it probably won't stick to the ground. Are you happy or sad? (I'll go first: I'm a little sad.)
McBrinn January 17, 2013 at 07:51 pm
Bummed.
doug redman January 17, 2013 at 08:27 pm
As stated above...not surprised...forecasting is this area is pretty bad...don't know why. All I know is that they spend three days hyping a storm and then 2 days telling us why it didn't happen. I'm bummed as well because every time I get my hopes up.
Gail January 17, 2013 at 08:39 pm
I love how WaPo describes our estimated snow accumulation as "conversational flakes."

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Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
John Smith June 13, 2013 at 05:57 pm
And do we carry our groceries out of the store in a "bag" or in a "sack"?
Scooby's Doo June 13, 2013 at 06:00 pm
We put the bags in a buggy.
Jonathan Krall April 15, 2013 at 03:14 pm
Jim, Thanks for speaking up about this. I sent in the following comment: To:Read More lisa.jaatinen@alexandriava.gov Dear Ms. Jaatinen, I am writing about the Eisenhower widening project. I am a resident of Alexandria who often rides along Eisenhower by bicycle and who sometimes uses the Eisenhower Metro Station. I am concerned that Alexandria is trying to have it both ways with cars and transit by trying to add both pavement and transit lines. This is is a wasteful strategy in terms of money and public safety. From where I sit, it seems that this have-it-both-ways approach is the reason that city staff is resistant to bike lanes or even bike parking. My points: - If we are going to widen Eisenhower Ave, we need bike lanes and sidewalks that will deliver people to high-capacity transit. - Even if VDOT provides part of the money for this project, we do not need to spend tax dollars adding traffic lanes that will fill with cars right away and are expensive to maintain. - Expanding Eisenhower Ave from four to six lanes right next to the Eisenhower Ave Metro Station makes walking to the station less safe and less attractive. - We need better quality of life and more fiscal responsibility, not more of our valuable land allocated gridlocked cars. Thank you for your time and attention. Jonathan Krall [address/phone]
D April 4, 2013 at 05:21 pm
This is an interesting opinion piece, but it needs way more context. Could the Patch (or the author)Read More provide some articles and/or links?