The coldest air of the season is descending on the D.C. area Sunday and threatens to end the growing season for the year.
On the heels of the chill, the far western suburbs will be greeted to the season’s first wintry mix.
“Get ready for a December feel this week. Dress warm,” Storm Team4 meteorologist Clay Anderson said.
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After a recent warm spell, temperatures will be in the 40s to near 50 degrees on Sunday.
Overnight Sunday into Monday morning, there will be a freeze watch in the District and in counties east of the Potomac from midnight to 9 a.m. Some of those areas are still in their growing season.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that the city’s Hypothermia Alert will go into effect at 6 p.m. She urges residents to be careful and to call the Shelter Hotline at (202) 399-7093 for those who are homeless.
“Please look out for our neighbors,” Bowser said in a tweet.
The National Weather Service only issues freeze watches or warnings for areas that haven’t yet dropped below freezing this season.
As a result, temperatures will be in the mid-20s to low 30s with gusty northwest winds of 10 to 15 miles per hour overnight.
Conditions will be much chillier to finish the weekend. Expect high temps in the mid 40s-low 50s (30s across the mountains). Brisk NW winds will accompany these chilly temps. For tonight, a Freeze Warning is in effect from midnight-9 AM for areas along and east of I-95. pic.twitter.com/57nPoMb0H6
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) November 13, 2022
Locations that are typically warmer, such as those counties adjacent to the Chesapeake Bay (Anne Arundel, Calvert and St. Mary’s), may take until Tuesday morning to finally see the hard freeze that ends the growing season.
Clouds will increase Tuesday and a storm system approaching from the south later in the day will likely bring the season’s first wintry mix along and west of the Blue Ridge.
Hard freezes are expected on Monday and possibly Tuesday morning as well. Daytime highs are likely to stay below 50 degrees all next week so bundle up.
Forecast
SUNDAY: Clouds in the morning and sunny in the afternoon. Winds: Northwest 20-30 mph. Highs in the low 40s to near 50.
SUNDAY NIGHT: Clear skies with a 20% chance of rain. Winds: Northwest 10-15 mph. Lows in the mid-20s to low 30s.
MONDAY: Sunny but breezy and cold. Winds: Northwest 10-20 mph. Highs in the mid-40s to 50.
TUESDAY: Chilly with a steady breeze and 60% chance of rain. Winds: Northwest 15-20 mph. Highs in the mid-40s to near 50.
