DC weather: Sizable snowstorm possible this weekend as polar vortex brings bitter cold

Weekend snow threat across DC region

FOX 5’s Tucker Barnes is tracking a weekend snow threat that could impact the Washington, D.C. region.

WASHINGTON - A bitter blast of cold air settles over the D.C. region Tuesday as all eyes turn to a potential weekend winter storm that could deliver significant snowfall.

What we know:

FOX 5’s Tucker Barnes says afternoon temperatures will struggle to reach 29 degrees, with wind chills making it feel like the single digits in parts of the area. 

A brief warmup arrives midweek, with highs near 40 degrees on Wednesday and close to 50 degrees on Thursday, before temperatures tumble back into the 30s on Friday.

READ MORE: Polar vortex, snow models used to track impact of possible weekend storm in DC

Several rounds of Arctic air tied to the polar vortex will follow, setting the stage for a potentially impactful winter storm this weekend.

A developing system from the south is expected to reach the region late Saturday night, with snow most likely Sunday into early Monday.  

READ MORE: Snow possible again this week in DC area: Here's when

Big picture view:

Early models suggest the storm could be sizable depending on its track, raising the possibility of major impacts to traffic and possible school disruptions Monday if higher-end snowfall totals materialize. "Models have been unrelenting in trying to give us a significant snow event on Sunday," Barnes said.

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