A winter storm that could bury parts of the U.S. Middle Atlantic region under 3 feet of snow slammed into Washington on Friday, threatening the nation's capital with record accumulations as it barreled up the East Coast.
The storm could dump 2 to 3 feet of snow on Baltimore and the capital and bring winds of 30 to 50 miles per hour before winding down on Saturday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.
In Falls Church, Virginia, about 8 miles west of the capital, a thick curtain of snow was already piling up on deserted streets on Friday evening, creating a peaceful tableau that disguised dangerous driving conditions.
"I want to be very clear with everybody.
This is a major storm," Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said as the city braced for what could turn out to be one of the worst storms in its history.