washington – The Washington, D.C., area is bracing for a major snowstorm this weekend, with the National Weather Service warning of an “extreme” level of threat.

winter storm threat

The National Weather Service has rated the threat for this weekend’s winter storms as “extreme,” the highest level.

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Beware of winter storms Saturday through Monday

A winter storm watch is in effect Saturday evening through Monday morning as an influx of arctic air moves into the Washington, D.C., area, bringing the threat of heavy snow and dangerous cold, and the potential for travel delays and school disruptions.

FOX 5’s Mike Thomas said in a Facebook post Thursday, “Someone will get over 20 inches with this storm, but I think that zone will probably be north or northwest of DC. I loved the 8-14 inches in DCA yesterday and I love it today!”

FOX 5’s Tucker Burns hasn’t released an official snowfall forecast yet, but he says rain will start Saturday night and the peak of the storm will continue into Sunday, increasing the chance of heavy snow.

Find the latest DC winter storm forecast here

Snowstorm and arctic blast threaten Washington, DC area this weekend

Weekend Winter Storm | Photo Weekend Winter Storm American Model

Burns said even if surface temperatures remain frigid, a layer of warm air aloft could mix in sleet and ice, which could affect the final totals.

Model snowfall potential, which broadly represents raw computer-simulated results, suggests more than 15 inches of snow could fall in Washington, D.C., and more than 20 inches in higher elevations north and west of the district, including Cumberland, Maryland.

Read more: DC, Maryland, and Virginia winter weather checklist: How to prepare for snow and ice this weekend

How much snow is expected on Sunday? Model chances and forecasts point to a major storm

Weekend winter storm | Photo Weekend winter storm European model

Barnes cautions that models can vary significantly from run to run and should be used as a guide while waiting for more stable and realistic predictive predictions. He points out that there is often a large gap between model output and actual accumulation.

On Wednesday, winter storm watches expanded across much of the country, with more than 175 million people potentially in the storm’s path.

Read more: What is a polar vortex? Why it matters as snow and arctic cold threaten the Northeast

How much snow is expected on Sunday? Model chances and forecasts point to a major storm

Burns also warned that the frigid arctic air trailing the storm could freeze fallen snow and ice, increasing the risk of power outages and disrupting travel for several days.

read more: Virginia winter storm forecast: Heavy snow possible, timing still uncertain

Stay ahead of the snow with FOX 5’s expert meteorologists live on FOX LOCAL. We’ll be providing you with the latest forecasts, snow chances, and preparation tips nonstop before the storm and throughout the weekend. Download FOX LOCAL to get 24/7 weather information on your smart TV or mobile device.