The European operational model shifted slightly south today as did the GFS Ensembles.  The Washington Area is still currently in the heavy snow accumulation zone and I would not be surprised to see the models creep the bulls-eye back north overnight into tomorrow.

Here was the 00z run from late last night: DC right in the middle of the Bulls-eye Here is the 12z run from late this morning: Notice the shift south from DC to Richmond.

The European Ensemble that predicts probability of snowfall agrees more with a blend of the GFS: Notice in the map below that the probability of 12 inches or more  in the DC Metro Area is currently pretty high (6o to 80%).

Lastly lets look at the GFS Ensembles: These shifted slightly south as well, however I remember this happening to several major historic storms in the past… where the operational models shifted south and then crept back to the north.  The one thing I am not currently too worried about in this scenario is mixing issues in DC (sleet/rain).  If this trend holds… DC is in for an all-snow event.

Bottom Line: the models will update late tonight with new information. I’d like to see the next operational Euro before I buy as shift of the bulls-eye into central Virginia (Richmond Area).  After all, one operational run of a model does not typically create a trend.