Washingtonians awoke to a gray and chilly morning with the National Weather Service (NWS) reporting overcast skies and temperatures hovering around 38°F as of 5:52 am EST. Winds were whipping from the south at 12 mph, adding a bite to the air that brought the wind chill down to an even frostier 30°F. According to the latest weather report, there’s a mixed bag of precipitation on the horizon, with scattered showers of rain and snow expected before 10 am, which will then transition to a mix of rain showers and sleet until early afternoon. NWS forecasts a high near 47 degrees, with southwest winds calming down to 5 to 8 mph but gusting as high as 20 mph.
Tonight's conditions are slated to become increasingly cloudy, with a 50% chance of precipitation and rain expected after 2 am. The temperature is likely to take a small dip to around 33°F with light winds. Going into Sunday, the NWS predicts a roulette of snowy weather before 10 am, followed by a possible alternation of rain and snow, then a shift back to the potential for snow after 1pm. The high is anticipated to barely climb above freezing, at 36°F, with the north wind blowing gently at 3 to 7 mph.
Looking forward to the start of next week, the skies will clear up in honor of Martin Luther King Day, with sunny conditions and a high near 40 degrees predicted. By nighttime, temperatures are expected to fall, with a low around 17°F. The NWS promises a return to sunnier times on Tuesday, despite an anticipated high of only 28 degrees and a nighttime low holding steady at about 17 degrees.
The rest of the week seems to carry the promise of a weather rollercoaster. Wednesday will offer sunshine and a more comfortable high around 40 degrees, but the night brings clouds and a low that's projected to hover around 31°F. The daily high will peak once more on Thursday, reaching 44 degrees, before a mostly cloudy night cools things down to the mid-20s. Come Friday, those looking for a respite from the cold will be greeted by mostly sunny skies, with the temperature hitting a high near 37.
