D.C.-area forecast: Increasing clouds today ahead of accumulating snow tonight

8/10: A mainly sunny workweek end with clouds arriving and minimal wind. Not a bad time before some accumulating snow “politely” and conveniently passing overnight.

• Today: Mainly sunny, breezy. Highs: 43-49.
• Tonight: Snow develops, heavy at times overnight. Lows: 29-33.
• Tomorrow: Gradually clearing as snow ends. Highs: Upper 30s to low 40s.
• Sunday: Mainly sunny, slight breeze. Highs: Mid-to upper 40s.

A fast-moving but energetic disturbance sweeping across the area tonight will produce a burst of snow that could add up to several inches by Saturday morning. At least 1 to 3 inches seems like a good bet around the area, with 2 to 4 inches most probable just north of downtown Washington. Sunshine returns by Saturday afternoon and, as temperatures rise over the holiday weekend, the snow will quickly melt away.

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Today (Friday): Wind from the northwest may gust a few times near 20 mph, creating a slight wind chill below the thermometer’s high temperatures within a few degrees of 45. Breeziness and sunniness may accompany each other during the morning and into early afternoon. By late afternoon, breezes should calm as clouds take over. Confidence: Medium-High

Tonight: A few spots far west of town could see a little light snow by the tail end of the evening rush, but most of our region waits until between 9 p.m. and midnight for the first flakes. Precipitation may begin as rain or a rain-snow mix, mainly south of the District and into Southern Maryland, but should quickly turn to all snow. The snow could fall quite heavily for an hour or two during the pre-dawn hours, at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour, reducing visibility below a half-mile. Expect roads to become snow-covered and slick. Low temperatures should dip into the upper 20s and lower 30s. Confidence: Medium-High

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Tomorrow (Saturday): Light snow could linger a little beyond sunrise — perhaps as late as midmorning before skies gradually clear. Wind also picks up, gusting near 30 mph from the northwest. Afternoon temperatures should reach the upper 30s to lower 40s. This does not take wind chills into account which will often be around 10 degrees lower than thermometer readings. Confidence: Medium

Tomorrow night: Mainly clear and calming conditions should allow low temperatures to dip into the chillier 20s most spots. Some places could dip into the teens. Remaining snowpack will help some spots turn quite cold and any wet or slushy spots on roads and sidewalks will freeze so keep an out for icy patches. Confidence: Medium

Sunday: Mainly sunny with a bit tamer breeze levels from the southwest, trying their best not to gust near 20 mph. Most spots should be able to get their high temperatures to the mid- and upper 40s. A lot of the snow will be history by sunset. Confidence: Medium-High

Sunday night: Skies are mainly clear and breezes mostly tame as low temperatures dip into the mid-20s to around 30 degrees. In areas any snow remains, we may again have subtract a few degrees in the usual chilly spots. Confidence: Medium

More sunny than not for both Presidents’ Day and Tuesday with winds looking tame as of now. High temperatures should continue a warming trend, rising near 50 to mid-50s. Confidence: Medium

A daily assessment of the potential for at least 1 inch of snow in the next week, on a 0-10 scale.

8/10 (↑): Likely that most spots easily top an inch tonight. The typically snowier locations may see 4-inch or higher amounts. Looking at you, higher elevations and north or west!

Ian Livingston and Jason Samenow contributed to this report.