Polar Vortex To Bring Winter Weather, Snow Risk Back To NoVA, DC

WASHINGTON, DC — The polar vortex — that cap of cold air that normally hovers over the Arctic — is sliding from Canada to the United States, and will mean a chilly weekend that doesn't feel like spring in northern Virginia or DC, weather forecasters said.

Friday will be the nicest day to check out D.C.'s Cherry Blossom Festival until late next week.

Low temperatures will drop into the mid-20s on both Sunday and Monday nights, while a mix of rain and snow is in the forecast for Tuesday and early Wednesday, the National weather Service said.

When the polar vortex is strong, it hovers near the North Pole, Accuweather said. But, when the weather system weakens, it often sends frigid air pouring south.

"A direct discharge of Arctic air will sweep into the northeastern quarter of the nation starting this weekend," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson said, adding that the cold will linger into early next week.

Highs in late March usually reach the low 60s around the Chesapeake Bay, but will be 10 to 20 degrees colder this weekend in the region, Accuweather said.

Related: Cherry Blossoms In Peak Bloom Through Friday In DC: Park Service

At the peak of the cold wave early next week, high temperatures are likely to be in the 30s in Boston and New York City, near 40 in Philadelphia and the mid-40s in Washington, D.C., where the National Cherry Blossom Festival is underway.

"Widespread, gusty northwest winds may send AccuWeather RealFeel temperatures plummeting as low as zero F across the Appalachians and into the 20s along the I-95 corridor as soon as Sunday morning," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson said.

Tuesday night there is a 30 percent chance of snow in the Washington, D.C., region, the National Weather Service said. But the cold moves off mid-week with the high on Wednesday expected to reach 62 degrees, and temps rebound to 70 on Thursday.

Here's the DC region weather forecast:

Friday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 62. West wind 5 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. West wind 5 to 7 mph.

Saturday: Scattered showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Some of the storms could produce small hail and gusty winds. Increasing clouds, with a high near 54. West wind 7 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37. West wind 11 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 48. Northwest wind 13 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 28.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 44.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 28.

Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 49.

Tuesday Night: A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 64.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.

Thursday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. Chance of precipitation is 40%.