Snow Blankets D.C. Area as Arctic Air Approaches
On the morning of December 15, 2025, a fresh coating of snow transformed the D.C. area into a winter wonderland, just ahead of a blast of Arctic air that is predicted to bring the coldest temperatures of the season. The snow, which fell primarily before dawn, resulted in minimal disruptions, although some morning events were delayed or canceled. Reports from Capital Weather Gang indicated that while side roads and sidewalks were slick and slushy, major thoroughfares remained clear for commuters.
At Reagan National Airport, the official snowfall measurement recorded 0.4 inches, bringing December’s total to 1.5 inches. This figure follows the 1.1 inches that fell earlier in the month on December 5. The airport is now just 0.2 inches shy of matching its average December snowfall, a milestone it hasn’t achieved since 2017 when 1.9 inches fell.
Interestingly, this marks the first time since 2013 that D.C. has experienced two accumulating snow events by this point in December. As the snow totals increased moving north and northeast of the city, areas reported between 2 to 5 inches of snow. The dynamic weather system responsible for the snowfall even produced thunder that rumbled from Silver Spring to Baltimore during the early morning hours.
As the snow began to settle, temperatures were forecasted to drop steadily through the 20s, with wind chills expected to dip into the single digits by sunset. Any remaining snow and slush are likely to freeze solid overnight, creating potentially hazardous conditions for early risers on Monday.
Snowfall amounts varied significantly across the D.C. and Baltimore regions, with a general trend of increasing totals from south to north. Areas south of Fairfax County and west of Charles County saw little to no accumulation, while regions inside the Beltway typically received a coating to just over an inch. In contrast, northern Montgomery, western Howard, Carroll, and northern Frederick counties experienced totals ranging from 3 to 5 inches.
Here are some notable snowfall totals from the storm:
- Eldersburg, Maryland: 5.0 inches
- Damascus, Maryland: 4.8 inches
- Mount Airy, Maryland: 4 inches
- Edgewater, Maryland: 3 inches
- Annapolis, Maryland: 2 inches
In the wake of this weather event, the Capital Weather Gang provided insight into their forecasting process. While the snowfall was slightly less than anticipated in parts of the Beltway and just south and west, their predictions for areas to the north and east were more accurate. The discrepancy in totals was attributed to lighter snow than forecasted and the initial mixing of rain and sleet, which affected accumulation.
Looking ahead, the D.C. area is bracing for a bitter cold snap over the next 48 hours, with little expectation of melting snow. However, temperatures are projected to rise above freezing by Tuesday afternoon, heralding a warming trend that will see high temperatures reaching the 40s and 50s leading up to Christmas Day. Residents can expect a reprieve from the cold as the holiday approaches, but for now, the snow serves as a reminder of winter’s arrival in the nation’s capital.