The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for most of Virginia, and a winter storm watch for Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania, in effect for Thursday. A winter storm is expected to bring mixed precipitation to the D.C. area.

Around daybreak today, a mixture of snow and sleet is expected to move from southwest Virginia to the Baltimore and Washington metropolitan area, just in time for rush hour. Thursday morning, the snow and sleet are expected to change over to freezing rain. The freezing rain may continue well into Thursday evening to the north and west of Baltimore.

“This storm has the potential to be a significant ice storm, especially in areas north and west of a line from Baltimore to Washington to Fredericksburg to Lynchburg,” reports the National Weather Service. “Ice accumulations up to an inch are possible in the watch and warning area.”

“The warning means that severe winter weather conditions are imminent,” warns the National Weather Service. “The watch means that severe winter weather conditions are possible. Watches over portions of Maryland and Northwest Virginia may be changed to warnings later this morning.”

“This is a potentially dangerous situation. Stay tuned to TV, radio, and NOAA weather radio for updates and warnings,” reports the National Weather Service.