A For-Real Blizzard

Sometimes, the National Weather Service issues a Blizzard Warning because we in the Washington area are not used to heavy snow and strong wind.  Rarely in the past has the weather actually reached blizzard conditions.  Officially, those are:

1. Sustained wind speeds of 35 mph or more, or frequent gusts to 35 mph or greater;
2. Considerable falling and/or blowing snow that reduces visibility frequently to 1/4 mile or less.

Today, it's the real thing.

Winds are gusting to 43 MPH this morning, snow is falling at the rate of 1 inch per hour, whiteout conditions are occurring, National Airport is reporting visibilities of 1/10 mile, the air temperature has fallen all morning into the lower 20's and the windchill values are in the single digits:  6 at National Airport.

Have we moved to Buffalo?

The storm formed as the models promised and at around 2:45 AM, the sleet and light freezing drizzle that fell for a few hours last night changed back to snow.  At around 6 this morning, the storm began to bomb off the coast and the snow started falling heavily around the area.

I have 8 inches here and reports are of generally 8-12 inches around the area.  Measurement of snow becomes next to impossible in conditions like these - even for people not at National Airport.

The radar shows the back edge of the precipitation advancing slowly to the northeast.  Still a few hours of moderate to heavy snow before things start to let up a bit.  The winds will continue all day however.

Stay inside if you can!

What a winter.