Meteorologist Mike Thomas of Fox 5 reported at approximately 5:00 AM UTC on February 21, 2026, that the new 0z European model forecasts about 2 inches of snow for Washington, DC, with significant rain-snow mix after Sunday sunset, contrasting the GFS model's 8-12+ inches for I-95 and east, during the reporting window from 4:45 AM to 6:15 AM UTC. Thomas stated on X that the European model jumped east compared to its 18z cycle but aligned with its 12z position, highlighting a substantial spread in model guidance less than 48 hours before the storm, creating a boom-or-bust scenario, according to his post in the latest window. This update follows Thomas's earlier 2:00 AM UTC assessment from the 0z GFS run projecting 6+ inches for the DC region as snow bands shift northwest Sunday night into Monday, building on the National Weather Service's Winter Storm Watch for 6-12+ inches in the Tri-State area including DC from Sunday 6:00 a.m. through Monday 6:00 a.m.
