Wintry Mix Possible As Cold Air Replaces Springlike Temperatures

VIRGINIA/DC — A strong cold front moving into the region will put an end to the 75-degree temperatures that D.C. area residents enjoyed on Wednesday.

Temperatures neared the record high of 78 on Wednesday, set almost 150 years ago in 1874. The normal high for this time of the year is the high 40s.

By Thursday morning, it will feel like winter again, with temperatures in the mid-30s. Thursday’s high temperature is expected to occur at midnight, as the mercury is expected to fall from the 40s into the 30s, according to the National Weather Service.

Residents will need to keep an eye out for a wintry mix of rain, snow and ice from the late morning on Thursday through early evening, the NWS said.

No snow or ice is expected to accumulate on roads in the immediate D.C. area, but there could be a small amount on the grass north and west of the Beltway.

By Thursday night, as temperatures drop to the low- to mid-30s, some icy spots could develop in the area, The Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang reported Wednesday.

Motorists should keep an eye out for a few icy spots north and west of D.C. on Friday morning.

A winter storm watch has been issued for Allegany and Garrett counties in Maryland and Mineral County, West Virginia, where there could be significant ice accumulation. The watch is in effect from 7 a.m. Thursday to 10 a.m. Friday.

In the D.C. area, temperatures will begin to warm up as Friday progresses. In the afternoon, after the rain and clouds have moved out, temperatures will once again turn mild, with highs near 60.

The up-and-down weather is expected to continue. Another cold front will move into the area Friday night, causing strong wind gusts and temperatures to drop into the 20s, according to the NWS.

Both Saturday and Sunday are expected to be dry in the D.C. area.

Here's the NWS forecast for the close-in suburbs of D.C. for the next few days:

Thursday: A chance of rain, snow, and sleet before 1 p.m., then rain likely, possibly mixed with sleet. Cloudy, with a high near 36. Little or no snow and sleet accumulation expected.

Thursday night: Rain likely, possibly mixed with sleet before 7 p.m., then rain. Low around 34. Little or no sleet accumulation expected.

Friday: Rain likely, mainly before 10 a.m. Cloudy through mid-morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 55. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west 12 to 17 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 29 mph.

Friday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. Northwest wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 43.

Saturday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 30.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 51.