Strong cold front brings lingering rain, heavy winds to DC area

Heavy and continuous rain is expected to coat the D.C. area on Wednesday with storms and high gusts expected. Here’s what you need to know.

A strong cold front is approaching the region, bringing rain all day. Temperatures will reach their highs in the 40s and 50s during the morning rush. 7News First Alert Weather Meteorologist Brian van de Graaff said drivers should plan for ponding on area roadways.

After a wet morning commute, the rain will continue as heavy showers soak the region through the afternoon. There is also fog outside for most of the region, as visibility will be reduced.

Storms could bring thunder and damaging winds at an anticipated speed of 30-40 mph.

“Overall, a widespread 1-2 inches of rain is expected areawide, with localized totals up to 3 inches possible. With all of the area in drought, this is expected to be a beneficial rainfall,” the National Weather Service said.

The weather service said temperatures will dip into the lower 40s as the cold front moves into the area. Wind chills are expected to drop all the way to the 20s overnight. Van de Graaff said any lingering moisture could freeze, so keep a lookout for black ice Thursday morning.

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“This powerful cold front that will move through and bring copious amounts of rain. Could be looking at an inch to an inch and a half (of rain) with wind gusts around 35 mph,” 7News First Alert Chief Meteorologist Veronica Johnson said.

By Thursday, clouds will part as sunny skies and bone-chilling temperatures are forecast. Wind chills will drop back down to as low as 19 degrees Thursday morning.

Forecast

WEDNESDAY: Rain likely, heavy at times
Temperatures: 60s to 40s
Winds: Becoming NW 10-15, Gusts 30 mph

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Rain, wind ending, clearing skies
Lows: 29-37
Winds: Southwest 5-10 mph

THURSDAY: COLD ALERT
Partly cloudy, breezy
Highs: 40-48
Wind Chills: 20s & 30s
Winds: West 5-15+ mph
While it will be colder than it’s been, it will be relatively seasonal considering the time of year. Our average high is now 50 degrees.

FRIDAY: Mostly sunny
Highs: 40-45
Winds: Light and variable
Frost is possible Friday morning with clear skies, light winds, and temperatures in the 20s to kickoff the day. It will be a sunny end to the week with high temperatures, a bit below average, in the low to mid 40s. Winds will be light, so we won’t have much of a wind chill. Dry and cold weather is expected for your Friday night plans.