Wednesday’s weather could put a damper on DC’s recent warm, sunny streak
Springlike weather has brought sunshine and above-average temperatures to the D.C. region this week. But Wednesday’s forecast could put a damper on things.
There’s a possibility of storms popping up in parts of the area before temperatures rapidly plummet.
“I don’t think everybody’s going to see them, but any storms that do develop, especially if you start to hear that rumble of thunder, be careful, because there is a lot of wind, a lot of energy in the atmosphere this afternoon,” National Weather Service Meteorologist Christopher Strong told WTOP.
If storms materialize, they could bring damaging wind gusts — up to 25 mph — and potentially an isolated, weak tornado.
Outside of the storm risk, highs will be around 80 degrees Wednesday.
“Maybe not quite as warm as yesterday, but it’s definitely going to feel summerish before the cold front comes through and cools us back down to reality,” Strong said.
High temperatures climbed to 84 degrees at all three airports in the D.C. region Tuesday afternoon, shattering records set in 2016.
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Temperatures are expected to fall to the 50s and 60s Wednesday evening.
The chances of wet weather go up overnight as a cold front arrives, according to 7News meteorologists.
Thursday is expected to be wet and cold, with temperatures dropping into the 40s.
“It’s really the battle between winter retreating and warmer temperatures coming in,” Strong said. “We usually have a lot of roller coaster temperatures.”
Some wet snowflakes could mix with the rain Thursday, but the snowfall isn’t expected to accumulate.
Even colder temperatures are expected to make their comeback Thursday evening, with wind chills in the 30s.
Strong said we won’t see an extended period of warm — or cool — temperatures.
“March tends to be topsy-turvy, and I think that’s going to be the case the next couple of weeks here,” Strong said.
FORECAST
WEDNESDAY: AFTERNOON WEATHER ALERT
Warm and humid with a chance for rain and afternoon storms
Highs: 78-83
Winds: Southwest 5-15 mph with gusts around 25 mph
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Scattered showers developing
Temps: 60s to 50s
Winds: West/southwest 5-15 mph
THURSDAY: Areas of rain, windy and cooler
Temps: 60s to 40s
Winds: Northwest 10-20 mph with gusts around 30 mph
FRIDAY: Partly cloudy and breezy
Highs: 55-60
Winds: Southwest 10-20 mph
Gusts: 30-40+ mph
CURRENT CONDITIONS