NoVA Weather: Rain, Rapid Freeze Complicate Christmas Travel

NORTHERN VIRGINIA — No snow is in the forecast before Christmas in Northern Virginia and the DC region, but a mix of precipitation and a rapid freeze can be expected as holiday travel and gatherings begin.

The National Weather Service issued a hazardous weather outlook for the region due to winds and a rapid freeze starting Friday. Forecasters say high winds Friday morning through the evening could cause tree damage and isolated power outages. Then, plummeting temperatures Friday may cause icy travel conditions.

On Friday and Saturday nights, "dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills" are anticipated, according to the National Weather Service.

Potential precipitation impacts begin early Thursday, when the National Weather Service says there is a slight chance of rain, freezing rain and sleet in the early morning in DC. Rain is likely through Thursday as temperatures near 50.

The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang anticipates the rain-sleet-freezing rain mix is more probable in west and northwest areas of the region, particularly west of Route 15 in Loudoun County and Maryland.

By Thursday evening, forecasters say there could be periods of moderate to heavy rain.

On Friday, rain will continue as temperatures reach the 50s. That will change as an Arctic cold front starting in the midday cases temperatures to drop 15 to 25 degrees in a matter of hours, according to the Capital Weather Gang. Forecasters expect temperatures to be close to freezing by the late afternoon or evening.

"There’s an outside chance some wet areas could flash-freeze, although strong winds might dry things out before that can happen," the Capital Weather Gang shared. "Rain should cut off fairly quickly around the time of the midday cold front, but it could briefly change to snow before ending."

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The sudden freeze will seem colder in the afternoon due to windy conditions. By the night, it will be even colder as the National Weather Service expects a low temperature of 16 in DC. A snow flurry or snow shower at night wasn't ruled out by the Capital Weather Gang.

The DC region is not expected to be hit hard by a snow storm affecting parts of the Northeast and Midwest, according to AccuWeather. Forecasters say rain is the storm's main threat in areas like DC, Philadelphia, New York City and Boston. However, forecasters caution travelers that "windswept rain" may cause water pooling on highways, while strong winds produce the risk of coastal flooding in the mid-Atlantic.

While the wind may dry off roads, travelers should prepare for the possibility of hazardous conditions.

"As cold air sweeps in the wake of a strong cold front, the sky will clear, and roads will dry off in most cases in the I-95 corridor from late Friday to Saturday," said Adam Douty, a senior meteorologist at AccuWeather. "However, some patches of ice are likely as temperatures plummet."

For those traveling for the holidays, AccuWeather meteorologists suggest getting ahead of the storm when possible. According to AccuWeather, the travel outlook for Wednesday is good throughout the DC region.

By Thursday, the outlook turns to fair for much of the region and poor for areas more west and northwest of the immediate DC area. On Friday, the travel outlook is poor for the DC region and other Mid-Atlantic and Northeast areas.

Here is the National Weather Service's DC weather forecast for the next few days.

• Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 40. At night, partly cloudy, with a low around 28.
• Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 43. Overnight, a slight chance of rain, freezing rain, and sleet after 4 a.m., increasing clouds, with a low around 32. The overnight chance of precipitation is 20 percent.
• Thursday: A slight chance of rain, freezing rain, and sleet before 7 a.m., then rain. High near 49. The chance of precipitation is 90 percent. At night, rain continues with a low around 49.
• Friday: Rain likely, mainly before 10 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 53 and breezy. The chance of precipitation is 70 percent. At night, partly cloudy, with a low around 16.
• Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 27. At night, mostly clear, with a low around 14.
• Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 27. At night, mostly clear, with a low around 16.