The fall weather in the D.C. area has been kind, but will winter be as well?

What can we expect? WTOP talked with 7News Chief Meteorologist Veronica Johnson, who said the good news is last winter’s “snowcrete” is likely not going to make a comeback.

Johnson said the La Niña climate pattern set that in motion, and it’s not in play this winter. However, a strong El Niño pattern will affect the D.C. region, a pattern that has brought big snowstorms in the past, like “Snowmageddon” in 2010, a 17.8-inch snowstorm. 

She said a big storm like that is not out of the question this winter.

“We could get those cold snaps, I think fewer cold snaps, shorter cold snaps, but still cold snaps, and when met with just the right time with the moisture, that’s when we get the big snowfall events.” 

Johnson said this winter will be warmer and wetter than average.

“Because with this wetter pattern, and we’re going to tell you, hey, we’re going to head into a cold snap, may only last for two days, doesn’t matter; those two days could be with temperatures just low enough to give you a whopper of a storm.”

She cautioned that it’s a tricky forecast, but said the area could get 10 to 20 inches of snow this winter. Johnson’s early outlook points to the best chance for accumulating snow in January and February.

However, she said snowfall is possible between mid-December and early February.

If you can get through the six weeks, Johnson said that “you’ve got it nailed.”

Source