Honestly, if you live in the District, you know the drill. It’s mid-January, the sky looks like a wet wool blanket, and everyone is obsessively refreshing the Capital Weather Gang feed. Right now, we are staring down a Washington DC weather alert that’s less of a "Snowmageddon" and more of a "Sloppy-mageddon."
As of Saturday morning, January 17, 2026, the National Weather Service has kept a few things on the radar that you shouldn't ignore if you're planning to head toward the Wharf or anywhere near the Potomac.
The Small Craft Advisory Is the Real MVP Today
While everyone is looking at the clouds for snow, the real action is on the water. There is a Small Craft Advisory in effect until 4:00 PM today. We are looking at southwest winds humming at about 10 knots, but it’s the gusts that’ll get you.
They’re hitting up to 20 knots.
If you’ve got a little boat or you’re thinking about some ambitious winter kayaking from Key Bridge down to Cobb Island, maybe don’t. Hazardous conditions are no joke when the water is this cold.
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What’s Happening in the Streets?
The current temp is sitting at a crisp 37°F, but it feels like 30°F. It’s that damp, DC cold that bites through a denim jacket. Humidity is at 37%, which is actually pretty dry for us, but that’s going to change as the day crawls on.
We’ve got a 69% chance of precipitation today.
Most of the morning is slated for light rain. However, as the sun goes down—or well, as the sky gets even darker—that rain is going to get confused. By tonight, we’re expecting a transition into snow showers.
The low is hitting 34°F. That is the "danger zone" for DC drivers. It’s not cold enough to make the roads pretty and white, but it’s just cold enough to turn the Beltway into a skating rink of slush and black ice.
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Why DC Panics Over a Dusting
You might hear people from Buffalo or Chicago laughing at us. Let them. They don't have our specific mix of marble monuments, frantic commuters, and a transit system that treats three snowflakes like a national emergency.
The National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington office mentioned that while snow totals were bumped up slightly for northern Maryland, the District is mostly looking at a dusting or maybe a few tenths of an inch.
- The Melting Factor: Soil temperatures are still a bit marginal.
- The Dry Air: There’s a very dry airmass we have to overcome first.
- The Reality: Most of what falls will melt on contact, then potentially refreeze tonight.
Looking Into Next Week
If you think today is annoying, keep an eye on Monday, January 19, and Tuesday, January 20. PJM (the folks who manage our power grid) has already issued a Cold Weather Alert for the entire region.
We are talking about temperatures plunging into the single digits in some areas.
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When the grid operators start telling power plants to "be prepared to call in extra staff," you know it’s getting serious. This isn't just about a cozy sweater; it’s about making sure the heaters stay on when the arctic front finally finishes its southward push.
Survival Steps for the Next 48 Hours
Basically, don't be "that person" who gets stuck on the George Washington Parkway because they thought their summer tires could handle a slushy hill.
- Check your pipes: With the single-digit wind chills coming Monday, make sure your outdoor hoses are disconnected.
- Watch the water: If you’re a mariner, stay off the Potomac until after 4:00 PM today when the Small Craft Advisory is scheduled to expire.
- Download AlertDC: If you haven't, do it. They’ll ping you the second the "Snow Emergency Routes" go into effect.
- Mind the "Refreeze": Tonight’s low of 34°F is deceptive. Bridges and overpasses will freeze before the actual road does.
The "conversational snow" we’re seeing today is just a warm-up for the deep freeze hitting early next week. Stay dry, keep the salt bucket by the front door, and maybe stick to the Metro if the slush starts sticking to the grass.