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Northern Virginia road crews are preparing for a winter storm that could disrupt Monday commutes and delay Fairfax County students’ return from winter break.

The National Weather Service forecast a 70% chance of precipitation for Friday, Jan. 3, with rain likely to mix with snow after 3 p.m. Less than half an inch of accumulation was expected before sunny weather returned Saturday.

A more substantial storm threat is expected from Sunday night into Monday, Jan. 6. The chance of precipitation reaches 100% Sunday and 90% Monday across the Washington region, including Fairfax County.

The weather service said confidence was increasing that the storm could cause travel problems and closures, particularly during Monday’s commutes.

The system is expected to approach from the southwest. Forecast estimates gave the region roughly a 50% chance of receiving at least 3 inches of snow, although there was also a 20% chance of less than an inch as of Thursday afternoon.

The Virginia Department of Transportation is preparing to mobilize Northern Virginia crews if forecasts call for at least 2 inches. On Saturday, crews plan to pretreat interstates, major roads, bridges, ramps and overpasses with salt brine.

VDOT urged drivers to slow down, remain patient and give tanker trucks enough room while pretreatment work is underway. Residents were also advised to monitor forecasts, limit travel during the heaviest snow and ice, and watch for slick spots as freezing temperatures persist through the week.

The agency recommends avoiding nonessential travel during the storm, noting that automobiles account for approximately 70% of snow-related deaths.

The storm could also extend winter break for Fairfax County Public Schools students. Classes are scheduled to resume Monday after students have been out since Dec. 23.

The school system generally announces weather closures the evening before a storm so families have time to arrange child care. After testing some virtual instructional days, FCPS restored 11 full snow days to its calendar last winter.

Despite the approaching storm, the National Weather Service’s seasonal outlook issued in October called for another relatively mild winter in the Washington area, with rain and sleet expected to be more common than snow.