Freezing Rain Possible Overnight After Cold, Wet Weather Hits DC Area

Cold, wet weather took hold of the Washington, D.C., area, Thursday and freezing rain is possible in some areas overnight.

Thursday's wintry weather was a shock after the sunny, warm weather on Wednesday.

Temperatures were in the 30s after sunset and Storm Team4 Chief Meteorologist Doug Kammerer said just before 7 p.m. that ice was already starting to form on cars in D.C.

Storm Team4 declared a weather alert due to the major shift in weather, plus the possibility of sleet and freezing rain in parts of Maryland and Virginia.

Expect almost all rain for metro D.C. and along Interstate 95, but some amount of sleet or freezing rain will be possible for areas north and west of Dulles International Airport. 

In those areas, a winter weather advisory is set until 10 a.m. Friday. It includes parts of Frederick and Montgomery counties in Maryland, plus parts of Fauquier and Loudoun counties in Virginia. Here’s a full list of weather alerts.

Temperatures may go up a bit overnight. Most roads will be fine Friday morning, but bridges and overpasses freeze first and could be slick.

Weekend Forecast for D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia

The D.C. area will experience a lot of ups and downs with temperatures over the next few days, but the good news is that the weekend forecast is looking mostly dry.

There’s a 60% chance of rain on Friday morning, then skies will clear out as temperatures climb toward highs of about 50° to 58°. The afternoon will be sunny with gusty winds.

A shot of cold air will send temperatures tumbling into the mid-20s by Saturday morning. Saturday will be cloudy and cold, with highs in the mid-40s.

Sunday will be sunny, breezy at times and milder, with highs in the mid-50s.

10-Day Extended Forecast for DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.