Imagine you're sitting at home, enjoying the warm weather. All of a sudden, a winter storm decides to crash the party.

        It's set to start on Tuesday morning, and it's not going to leave until Wednesday afternoon.

        So, when will that first snowflake hit the ground?

        The fun starts on Tuesday. The snow will first make an appearance in far southwest Virginia in the morning. But don't worry, it'll spread to the rest of the region by the afternoon. As the weather gets colder, the snow will become heavier overnight.  So think of it like a party that starts early but really gets going later.  The snow will start to lose energy on Wednesday morning.  It's like most people will be waking up to a white landscape.

        But, there's a catch. On Thursday, another weather system will swoop in and bring a mix of rain and freezing rain. Yes, you read that right. A mix of rain, freezing rain and snow. This is like having a whole new party after the first one. The snow will be heavy and wet, with some sleet and freezing rain mixed in along the Southern counties. It's like a mixed bag but not as confusing.

        So, how much snow are we talking about?

        Expect to see 4" to 6" inches of snow. Snowfall rates could reach 1" per hour. That's like having a snowstorm that can cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time.

        Winter storm warnings are in place, so don't shrug it off. The areas that are most likely to be affected are Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria, Stafford County, Fairfax County, Warren County, Northern Fauquier County, Anne Arundel County, Central and Southeast Montgomery County, Prince George's County, Northwest Montgomery County, Charles County and District of Columbia. There are also winter storm warnings in effect for Montgomery County and Dorchester County but for a longer period of time.

        You might be wondering, "Why should I care? "

        Well, snowfall is expected to be heavy and wet, so it's important to stay safe and prepared. Think of it like a big snow day. You might even need to dig out your snow boots and shovels and get ready for the snow party.  It could be fun, but it could also be dangerous.  The weather could cause a lot of problems and could also cause a lot of fun.

DC, Maryland, Virginia: When will the white stuff fall?

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