Winter Storm Update: DC Wind Advisory, Snow Plows

Expect sustained winds between 20 and 30 mph, with gusts in some areas up to 50 mph, the advisory states.

The high winds can down tree limbs and power lines and cause difficulty driving, according to the National Weather Service. The service recommends securing outdoor furniture.

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The National Weather Service also upped the chance of rain and snow to 90 percent tonight.

The D.C. Snow Team will deploy more than 200 snow plows and apply salt to the roads before 5 p.m. this evening. 

“The extremely low temperatures and high winds are our primary challenges to clearing snow from the streets keeping them clear of blowing snow,” said DPW Director William O. Howland, Jr.  “Fortunately, this is a fast-moving system that won’t produce a heavy accumulation.” 

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While New England will experience near blizzards, the NWS expects about 1-2 inches of rain and snow, changing to all snow around 3 a.m., for Washington, D.C. A 30 percent chance of snow is predicted again before 7 a.m. on Friday. 

However, the temperature drop expected tonight and Friday has garnered the most attention from weather watchers. 

According to NWS, tonight's temperatures will be around 20 degrees with winds from 19 to 24 mph. 

Friday temperatures will stay around 21 degrees with the same level of wind chill, and Friday night temperatures will drop to around 17 degrees, the NWS said. 

Even if "Winter Storm Hercules" doesn't dump too much snow on D.C., icy roads should remain a concern. Here are some winter driving tips. 

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