A major drop in temperatures will follow a possible thunderstorm Saturday afternoon, following one of the warmest starts to October on record in the D.C. region.
A cold front will reach the Interstate 95 corridor early in the afternoon, bringing gusty winds and the risk of an isolated strong-to-severe thunderstorm to the D.C. area, according to NBC Washington meteorologist Chuck Bell.
The National Weather Service said “damaging wind gusts” could accompany the cold front.
A strong cold front will cross the region this afternoon and help focus showers and thunderstorms, some of which, could be severe with damaging wind gusts. #DCwx #MDwx #VAwx #WVwx pic.twitter.com/GWL2wvn1kC
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) October 16, 2021
Bell forecasts the timing for the severe weather threat to be between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. along Interstate 81, between noon and 4 p.m. along I-95 and between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. in Southern Maryland and the Northern Neck of Virginia.
Southwest winds ahead of the cold front will push temperatures to around 80, followed by much colder and drier air. Bell said he expects rain will come to a quick end tonight and skies will clear in the overnight.
Bell said there’s an 80% chance of rain Saturday and temperatures will reach highs in the mid 70s to low 80s, before falling to lows in the 40s and 50s tonight.
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Temperatures in the 40s are expected by Sunday morning. Bell said a steady breeze means that frost won’t be a concern, but wind chills will be in the 30s for areas west of Dulles International Airport.
Wind is due to increase by late morning, with a buildup of clouds midday Sunday.
Forecast:
SATURDAY NIGHT: Rain showers end, breezy winds northwest at 10 — 15 mph with occasional gusts to 20 mph in higher elevations. Lows in the mid to upper 40s in metro areas and low 40s west of the region.
SUNDAY: Mostly sunny skies, windy and cool. Highs in the low to mid 60s.
MONDAY: Breezy with sunshine and northwestern winds at 10-20mph. Highs in the mid 60s in town and low 60s in the far Western suburbs.
TUESDAY: Continued sunshine and warmer temperatures. Highs in the low to mid 70s with lows in the low to mid 50s.
WEDNESDAY: Continued sunshine and warmer temperatures. Highs in the low to mid 70s with lows in the low to mid 50s.
