The "S" word in late October is usually Snickers. Or Skittles.
For the last weekend in October, 2011, it could be "snow" in Reston.
Forecasters are calling for a rare snow event in the D.C. area on Saturday. It could be mostly rain with a few flakes, but it also could be up to a few inches accumulating on grassy areas.
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The National Weather Service says it will rain early Saturday, then possibly turn to snow in the afternoon or evening, when the low will be around freezing. The chance of precipitation is 80 percent, and new precipitation amounts possibly could be between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
There may be some measurable snow west of Reston, in higher elevations such as Hagerstown, the NWS says.
October snow in the DC area is rare, but not unprecedented.The earliest snowfall in the area was a trace on Oct. 5, 1892, and .03 inches fell on Oct. 10, 1979 - during the Orioles-Pirates World Series.
Find out what's happening in Restonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
But don't break out your new snow boots just yet. It will be 50 degrees and sunny on Sunday.
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