The Washington, D.C., region is on track to get up to 4 inches of snow and a frigid blast of air in a couple of days — just in time for the presidential inauguration.
A piece of the polar vortex, an area of cold air that swirls around the Earth's poles, will brush by the D.C. area next week. This frigid air will move in Sunday night into Monday morning following some fresh snow during the day on Sunday.
President-elect Donald Trump announced Friday his swearing-in ceremony would be held indoors due to the cold. Capital One Arena will also open for a public viewing of the ceremony so people don't have to stand in the cold to watch.
"I have ordered the Inauguration Address, in addition to prayers and other speeches, to be delivered in the United States Capitol Rotunda, as was used by Ronald Reagan in 1985, also because of very cold weather," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "The various Dignitaries and Guests will be brought into the Capitol. This will be a very beautiful experience for all, and especially for the large TV audience!"
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Here's what to know about the weather for Inauguration Day, as well as the days before and after. Continue to check here for updates to the forecast.
Snow expected on Sunday in Washington, D.C.
A storm system will bring about 2 to 4 inches of snow to the D.C. area on Sunday, Storm Team4 Meteorologist Amelia Draper said.
A wintry mix is possible at the start, when temperatures will be above freezing. Eventually, it will transition to all snow.
Plunging temperatures will guarantee snow sticks. Roads could become quite difficult late Sunday afternoon and evening.
Inauguration Day weather in DC
Snow might be on the ground for the inauguration, but no additional snow will fall on Monday, Draper said. In addition to the snow, it will be cold and blustery.
Temperatures will likely warm to a high of about 25 degrees during the midday hours, when the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect J.C. Vance takes place outside the U.S. Capitol. But wind chills will make it feel much colder, possibly as low as the 10s, Draper said.
Heading into Monday afternoon, temperatures are expected to fall to about 20 degrees during the presidential parade.
Coldest inauguration in years
Storm Team4 anticipates the inauguration ceremony for Trump will be one of the coldest in the country's history.
President Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration in 1985 was the coldest with a high of only 7 degrees and a wind chill of -20.
There are some records of President Ulysses S. Grant’s second inauguration having a numbing high of only 16 degrees in March of 1873.
Inaugurations have been held on January 20 since Franklin D. Roosevelt's second inauguration in 1937.
In 1961, John F. Kennedy’s inauguration was 22 degrees with windy conditions and snow on the ground.
In more recent times, former President Barack Obama’s first inauguration was similarly brutal to Monday’s forecast, with highs in the upper 20s and wind chills in the teens.
How to prepare if you're attending the inauguration
Although most festivities will now be held inside, anyone who's planning to be out and about in D.C. on Inauguration Day should make sure to wear multiple layers, a hat and gloves, Draper said.
Draper recommends getting rechargeable electronic hand warmers, which are effective and easy to use.
Trump said Friday the Capital One Arena in Downtown D.C. would be open Monday for people to watch his swearing-in ceremony and inaugural address. Follow updates about the arena viewing here.
Frigid weather sticking around in DC area
Highs will again be in the 20s on Tuesday and Wednesday — not factoring in the wind chill. The coldest day will be Tuesday and the Arctic air will start to retreat on Wednesday.
Average highs for this time of year are in the mid-40s and average lows are around 30 degrees, Draper said.