Winter Weather Advisory for DC Weather, With Heavier Baltimore Weather Impacts Sunday Night

A fast-strengthening coastal storm is set to push a messy rain-to-snow transition into the Mid-Atlantic on Sunday, February 22, bringing a winter weather advisory to parts of the Washington area and a higher-end snow threat north and east toward Baltimore. The main concern is a sharp deterioration in travel conditions Sunday evening into early Monday, when temperatures drop and snowfall rates increase.

For many neighborhoods, daytime precipitation begins as rain or a rain–snow mix, then flips to steadier snow as colder air deepens late Sunday. Roads that look merely wet earlier can turn slushy, then snow-covered and slick after dark.

Advisory and warning timing in the region

Public forecasts and alerts point to two different impact zones: lighter accumulations closer to central Washington, and heavier snow plus gusty winds closer to Baltimore and nearby Maryland corridors.

Baltimore weather: Snow totals and wind-driven disruption

Baltimore’s forecast leans more wintry than Washington’s, with the potential for several inches of snow and periods of reduced visibility Sunday night. Where snow accumulates faster than road crews can treat, conditions can shift quickly from manageable to hazardous.

Wind is another factor. Gusts strong enough to blow snow and reduce visibility can make highways and bridges especially tricky, even when totals aren’t extreme. If heavier bands set up over the same communities for several hours, localized amounts can climb higher than the citywide average, and plowing becomes more difficult overnight.

The practical takeaway: Baltimore-area drivers should plan for the worst stretch late Sunday evening through the Monday morning commute, when untreated roads are most likely to be snow-packed and slippery.

DC weather: Rain first, then a slippery night

For Washington, the headline is the timing of the changeover. A rain-to-snow transition later Sunday means daytime impacts can be limited, but nighttime travel can deteriorate quickly as temperatures fall and lingering moisture freezes or turns to accumulating snow.

Even modest snow totals can cause outsized problems in the District because the most dangerous conditions often arrive after dark, when visibility drops and temperatures are at their lowest. If precipitation intensity increases overnight, roads can go from wet to slushy to slick in a short span—particularly on elevated surfaces like overpasses and ramps.

Expect the most widespread problems from Sunday evening through early Monday, with slow improvement later Monday as precipitation tapers and crews catch up.

What to expect hour by hour

Sunday starts relatively mild, then trends colder as the storm intensifies.

• Sunday morning to early afternoon (ET): Precipitation develops as rain or a mix, especially closer to DC. Roads largely wet.

• Sunday late afternoon to evening (ET): Colder air arrives; a transition toward snow becomes more likely from northwest to southeast. Slush develops on untreated surfaces.

• Sunday night (ET): Highest confidence window for accumulating snow and the most disruptive travel, especially north and east toward Baltimore.

• Monday morning (ET): Lingering snow or flurries possible; the commute may be slow with spotty slick roads. Gradual improvement later in the day.

Preparation and travel: What matters most

The biggest risk is being caught out during the changeover. If you can avoid driving Sunday night, do it. If you must travel, focus on a few basics: keep your phone charged, allow extra stopping distance, and assume bridges and shaded roads ice first.

For homes and buildings, a short checklist can prevent common headaches: charge backup batteries, set aside a flashlight, and make sure essential medications and groceries cover at least through Monday morning. If you rely on public transit, check for service advisories before heading out, since overnight conditions can affect bus routes and rail operations.

The forward look for the week

After the storm exits, temperatures stay on the cold side early Monday, which can slow melting and keep slick spots around longer—especially where snow compacts. By later Monday and into midweek, a gradual warm-up typically helps clear residual snow and ice, but refreezing remains possible at night if sidewalks and parking lots stay wet.

For now, the key message is timing: the most disruptive window is Sunday evening through early Monday, with Baltimore weather likely facing the more severe side of the storm and DC weather seeing advisory-level impacts that can still snarl travel overnight.