Winter Storm Pandora

This Saturday we will, yet again, see another winter storm batter down on our region. Unlike Winter Storm Octavia, Winter Storm Pandora will be a messy wintry mix. Pandora will begin as snow before transitioning over to freezing rain and sleet. We will start to see the first snow bands arriving to our area around the noon hour. The record cold temperatures will have a large impact on snowfall accumulation totals. Since surface and road temperatures are and will remain below freezing, any precipitation that falls will freeze instantly on the ground. Once snow starts to accumulate, freezing rain and sleet can gradually accumulate on top of the snow resulting in slick and hazardous conditions.

Courtesy of the National Weather Service

Currently, the areas shaded in purple are under a Winter Weather Advisory and the counties shaded in pink are issued a Winter Storm Warning.

Although all falling precipitation won't be in the form of snow, Fairfax County could see between 3-6 inches of snow accumulate and another inch of frozen precipitation. As you move closer to Washington D.C snowfall totals decrease, while Loudoun County, to the west, could see 3-6 inches. Here is a timeline for the impact of Winter Storm Pandora for Fairfax County:

Saturday Morning: Scattered snow showers beginning after 8am. Temperatures near 18 degrees with wind chills sitting at 8 degrees. Winds from the south at 11-13 mph.

Saturday Noon: Around noon, snow bands will become heavier. Temperatures in the low 20's and a feel like factor of 9 degrees. Winds remain steady at 11-13 mph, but there will be occasional wind gusts up to 20 mph.

Saturday Late Evening: In the late afternoon to early evening snow will begin to make the transition to sleet and freezing rain. By 5pm, our region will start to see all freezing precipitation. Temperatures will be in the mid-20's with wind chills around 15 degrees. Winds will begin to decrease.

Saturday Night: Precipitation will begin to transition over to all rain between 10-11pm. Could possibly see a wintry mix continue into the early hours of Sunday. Temperatures are in the lower 30's, but it will feel like temperatures are in the lower 20's.

Stay with ForecastGMU for all your winter weather updates!

-Katie Thomas