4 things to know about the weather:
- Cold Sunshine Today
- Heavy Rain Late Saturday
- High Winds On Sunday
- Wed-Thurs Snow Chances: Climbing!
That was quite the blast of wind Thursday evening. Reagan National Airport reported a gust of 57 mph! Dulles reported 52 mph and BWI-Marshall 50 mph.
That wind was the announcement of the cold air returning to the area.
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Wind chills are in the 10s and low 20s Friday morning and will stay below freezing for most of the day. At least the sun will be shining with daytime highs near 40°.
Snow, then rain expected Saturday
The clouds return tonight and we will start off Saturday morning below freezing with a chance of light snow and snow flurries. Snow totals Saturday morning, if any, will be less than an inch and probably closer to a half-inch.
Temperatures will get above freezing by 9-10 a.m. and be near 40° for the remainder of the day as rain overtakes the area. The rain will be moderate to heavy at times with upwards of an inch of rain likely to fall between 2 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Weather radar
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Sunday showers
A second wave of rain, adding about another half-inch to the total, will come on Sunday morning. The rain will be less steady and more showery in nature after noon on Sunday as strong southwest winds push much warmer air into the area.
There is a risk of wind gusts on Sunday afternoon being just about as strong as the ones we experienced Thursday evening. Those southwest winds may push temperatures well above 60° Sunday afternoon! Better enjoy it before another Arctic blast.
Prepare for bitter cold next week
Bitter cold will rush in here on Monday and last through the end of next week.
With the bitter cold in place, our risk of a significant snowfall next Wednesday to Thursday is increasing.
It's too early for exact predictions but it's not too early to set some expectations. I'd expect at 6 inches with the possibility of getting double that.
There are still a great many details to work out on timing and amounts but one thing is certain… it WILL be cold enough for an all-snow event. Stay tuned! Storm Team4 is on it.
10-day forecast

Quickcast
TODAY:
Sunny Skies
Cold And Blustery
Less Wind By Sunset
Wind: Northwest 12-24 mph
Chance Of Rain: 0%
HIGHS: 35° - 40°
TONIGHT:
Clear Evening
Cloudy After Midnight
Flurries By Dawn
Chance Of Snow: 40%
Wind: Southeast 5 mph
LOWS: 25° - 30°
SATURDAY:
AM Snow Around 1/2"
Heavy Rain After 4pm
Rainfall Up To 1" Likely
Wind: South 6-12 mph
Chance Of Rain: 100%
HIGHS: 38° - 42°
SUNDAY:
AM: Rain Around 1/2"
PM: Showery And Mild
PM Gusts Over 40mph Likely
Wind: Southwest/West 15-30 mph
Chance Of Rain: 100%
HIGHS: 56° - 64°
MONDAY:
Partly Cloudy
Blustery
Much Colder
Wind: Northwest 15-30 mph
Chance Of Rain: 0%
HIGHS: 34° - 40°
Sunrise 7:00 Sunset 5:45
Average High: 48° Average Low: 32°