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.<br />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.<br />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.<br />"I want to be very clear with everybody.<br />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.
