Thanksgiving afternoon is drier ahead of cold holiday weekend in DC area

Thanksgiving has arrived, but you may not feel so grateful after this morning’s wet weather and cooling temps.

Thankfully this afternoon featured some sunshine and drier conditions ahead of a cold front bringing gusty winds into the region, according to WTOP Meteorologist Mike Stinneford.

Winds will diminish after sunset, leading to a colder night with all of us in the 30s by sunrise on Friday.

“Cinch that robe extra tight before you head out to get the paper off the driveway in the morning,” 7News First Alert Chief Meteorologist Veronica Johnson said in her evening forecast.

And if you plan to shuffle about the different sales on Black Friday, bundle up and bring some hot cocoa along in a travel mug. Johnson is expecting chilling winds from the northwest that could make our 50-degree high temperature feel much colder.

This weekend “brisk breezes will make it feel like the 20s and 30s — so bundle up as you head out to shop or look for the perfect tree,” Johnson said.

Cold weather is sticking around through this weekend with highs struggling to get above 40 on Saturday. Next week will feel like January with highs staying in the 40s.

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Full forecast

THURSDAY EVENING: Continued clearing, breezy
Temps: 31-38
Winds: NW 10-15 mph
Skies will continue to clear with breezy conditions.

OVERNIGHT: Turning clear and cold
Lows: 29-33
Winds: NW 10-15+ mph
Skies will clear but with a stiff breeze, temperatures will only fall into the 30s. Cinch that robe extra tight before you head out to get the paper off the driveway in the morning.

FRIDAY: Partly sunny, blustery and cold
Highs: 45-50, feels-like temps 32-40 degrees
Winds: Northwest 10-20, gusts to 25 mph
Bundle up for Black Friday shopping! Gusty winds from the northwest will make for a chilly day.

THIS WEEKEND: The coldest air of the season arrives! Expect a hard freeze both mornings (the first time for the city) and brisk afternoon highs only around 40 degrees. Brisk breezes will make it feel like the 20s and 30s — so bundle up as you head out to shop or look for the perfect tree.