One to 2.5 inches or more is expected to fall across the D.C. area. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch. You can see all severe weather alerts here.

“We are expecting widespread showers for a good chunk of the day,” Storm Team4 Meteorologist Jessica Faith said.

The rain mostly affects any plans for Saturday morning and early afternoon. The Wharf rescheduled their Bloomaroo spring festival to Saturday, March 30 because of the forecast. National Landing’s Pink in the Park has been postponed, as well.

Rain timing

Rain moved in late Friday from the south. The most widespread showers fell on Saturday morning.

Storm Team4’s radar showed many areas with heavy rain between 7 and 11 a.m.

Rain is expected to decrease in coverage and intensity later in the afternoon. The rain will begin to move out in the evening.

“If you want to make any plans for Saturday, the later the better — especially after sunset,” Faith said.

So, your dinner plans should be fine. Keep an umbrella on hand for any lingering wet weather.

This forecast has a silver lining if you’ve been waiting to see the cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin. The cool weather is helping the delicate flowers hang on, and it will likely still be worth visiting the blooms on Sunday.

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Flood watch issued

A flood watch is in effect from Friday night to Saturday afternoon, the National Weather Service said. The flood watch covers much of the D.C. area, including:

• Washington, D.C.
• Calvert, Charles, Frederick, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in Maryland
• Arlington County, Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax County, Loudoun County and Prince William County, in Northern Virginia

Watch out for excessive water in flood-prone locations including near rivers and in areas with poor drainage.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

A red flag warning was in effect in Virginia for weather conditions that officials warned could lead to the rapid spread of fire. Temperatures were in the 60s on the fourth day of peak bloom as strong wind gusts stirred up petals and dust.

“Forest/brush fires, WEST of #DC currently spreading smoke across the metro as winds gust. Air quality is down and you’ll smell the smoke,” Storm Team4 Meteorologist Ryan Miller wrote on X. 

The largest brush fire was west of D.C., in Page County, Virginia. The county declared an emergency and closed all schools Thursday. Luray High School was used as an evacuation shelter. 

Photos show bright orange and red flames cresting over the mountains in Luray.

In D.C., at least three acres of Rock Creek Park near the Carter Barron Amphitheatre burned, D.C. Fire and Emergency Services said. Firefighters had to pull down a fence to access the flames. 

No homes were damaged, and no injuries were reported, officials said. 

In Prince William County, Virginia, at least 39 brush fires were reported. The majority were small. No injuries or damage was reported, officials said.

The “Satellite Thermal Hotspots and Fire Activity” map was created by Storm Team4’s Ryan Miller with ArcGIS Experience Builder.

In Montgomery County, Maryland, there was a small brush fire spanning about 1.5 acres near Great Seneca Creek overnight Wednesday, fire officials said. Firefighters used floating pumps and water from a nearby creek to extinguish the flames.

At about 9 p.m., firefighters responded to a brush fire in Oakview, Maryland. The fire was on a trail on Oak View Drive and could be seen from the Beltway. 

“If you see smoke from a remote area, call the fire department. It’s likely a brush fire. But again, the conditions are very favorable — low humidity, breezy, windy conditions where it’s rapid spread of the fire,” Pete Piringer, a Montgomery County Fire spokesperson, said Wednesday. 

The red flag warning expired Wednesday evening, but Thursday remains dry with strong Northwest winds, according to Storm Team4.

“Winds continue to diminish today with dry high pressure overhead. An elevated fire danger looks to continue given the very dry air & NW winds gusting 15-25 mph,” the National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington said on X.

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This year’s May-like temps in March are quickly pushing the Tidal Basin trees towards peak bloom. The trees reached the first phase of their blooming cycle on the first weekend of March.

The cherry blossoms go through six phases on the way to peak bloom or when 70% of the Yoshino blossoms are flowering. Storm Team4’s predicts the trees will reach peak bloom between March 21 and 26. Last year, peak bloom was March 23. 

The National Park Service is already working to address rising water and flooding. They recently announced that 159 cherry trees on the Tidal Basin and West Potomac Park will be cut down for seawall repairs.  

Here’s more on how climate change will impact peak bloom in the future:

Is the changing climate impacting peak bloom?

Yes, the changing climate is making D.C.’s cherry blossoms reach peak bloom earlier.

When did the cherry blossoms used to reach peak bloom?

From 1931 to 1960, the average peak bloom was around April 6. From 1981 to 2010, the average peak bloom was five days sooner around April 1. 

How does the changing climate impact peak bloom?

Storm Team4 looked at peak bloom dates over the last twenty years to reveal recent trends. According to historical data, peak bloom favors the last week of March. It fell on this date eight of the 20 years. 

Peak bloom has occurred even earlier in the third week of March in four of the last twenty years. 

How often has peak bloom been in April?

In the last 20 years, several peak blooms have occurred in April. The cherry blossoms reached peak bloom in the first week of April four times and the second week of April four times.

With the area warming, when will peak bloom occur in the future? 

Climate Central projects that by 2070 peak bloom could be as early as the first week of March. 

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A wind advisory is in effect until 5 p.m. Monday for 20 to 30 mph winds with gusts up to 55 mph in the D.C. area. Go here for all weather alerts.

The gusts downed trees and may be responsible for the power outages in the area. Dominion Energy reported about 3,400 power outages, mostly in Fairfax County, as of 8:20 a.m.

In Bladensburg, Maryland, a tree fell across the yard of a home and onto its white fence. The tree’s branches blocked part of Tilden Road and took down a power line.

“I’m so thankful for that. That we’re OK, and we’re just getting through it,” the homeowner said.

In Chevy Chase, Maryland, a tree left a gaping hole in the roof of a house’s garage. Fire officials said people were inside the home when the tree fell, but no one was hurt.

On Coral Gables Lane in Vienna, Virginia, a downed tree crushed a car.

A ground delay was in effect at Dulles International Airport in Virginia until 7 p.m. Sunday due to high winds, the FAA said. Travelers arriving at and departing from the airport were told to expect delays.

“Wow! The wind packed a punch at DC’s three airports yesterday— more than **750** delays combined at DCA/IAD/BWI,” News4’s Joseph Olmo wrote on X.

The strong winds caused the National Park Service to close the Washington Monument and the Old Post Office Tower on Sunday. The BloomCam showed gusts causing wave-like ripples in the Tidal Basin around 1 p.m.

“The Washington Monument is closed for the remainder of the day due to high winds. We apologize for any inconvenience,” @NationalMallNPS wrote on X.

Tourists on the National Mall didn’t seem to mind the wind even as they held their hats down.

“I love Washington, D.C.,” a woman visiting the National Mall said.

“Even in this weather?!” News4 asked.

“It’s different for me … because in Miami, it’s very hot,” she replied.

The wind is expected to peak Monday between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and settle down around sunset, Storm Team4 said. A warming trend will bring temperatures on Tuesday to the 60s and up to the 70s on Wednesday.

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Up to a few inches of snow are expected to fall overnight into Saturday morning, Storm Team4 says.

Much of the D.C. area will be under a winter weather advisory. A winter storm warning will be in effect for areas north and west expected to get the largest snowfall. Here’s a full list of weather alerts.

Snow is expected to move out by 8 a.m. Saturday.

Prince George’s County Public Schools canceled athletics and activities and will close facilities on Saturday due to the weather.

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If you want to build a snowman or hit up a sledding hill, get moving early. Sunshine will be back on Saturday afternoon to melt a lot of the snow.

Early Sunday, slippery sidewalks and black ice on roads could slow down travel. But all-day sunshine will melt most of the lingering snow. Monday’s weather looks great for your Presidents Day plans, like visiting Mount Vernon or Alexandria’s George Washington Birthday Parade.

Enjoy this snowfall: With March just two weeks away, there’s more than a 50-50 chance that this will be the last significant snowfall of the season, Storm Team4 Meteorologist Chuck Bell said.

How much snow could fall?

This storm will be more of a nuisance than a blockbuster.

There’s a 99% chance that we see at least an inch of snow, Bell said.

Overall, a few inches of snow are likely. Storm Team4 predicts:

• 1 to 3 inches in D.C., around the Beltway and farther south
• 3 to 6 inches in areas north and west of D.C., including Leesburg, Virginia, and upper Montgomery County, Maryland.
• The highest snow totals will be out toward West Virginia and far western Maryland. The area from Wisp Resort in McHenry, Maryland, to Elkins, West Virginia, could see up to 8 inches of snow.

Weather radar

Winter storm warning

A winter storm warning is in effect until 5 a.m. Saturday for western Loudoun County, Virginia, and Frederick County, Maryland.

Heavy snow is expected, and travel could become very difficult in those areas, the National Weather Service said.

Winter weather advisory

A winter weather advisory is in effect from until 7 a.m. Saturday, The National Weather Service said.

The advisory covers much of the D.C. area:

• Washington D.C.
• Portions of central and northern Maryland, including Calvert County, Charles County, Prince George’s County and central and southeast Montgomery County
• Northern and northwestern Virginia, including Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax County, parts of Prince William County, Manassas, Manassas Park

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

Rain transitioned to snow and created slippery road conditions between sunrise and rush hour, but all precipitation was set to finish before noon, Storm Team4 said.

Around 6 a.m., snow was falling along Interstate 70 towards Hagerstown, Maryland, causing wet road conditions.

“It’s coming down hard!” said News4’s Joseph Olmo about the snow falling in northern Maryland’s Washington County at about 6:20 a.m. A viewer in Boonsboro shared photos of inches of snow covering cars and giving trees a winter wonderland-like coating.

At about 6 a.m., roads in Leesburg, Virginia, were wet from a light rainfall. Other parts of Northern Virginia, like Alexandria, began seeing chunky wet snowflakes fall between 7 and 9 a.m. The Virginia Department of Transportation reminded drivers on social media to slow down and limit nonessential travel.

Rain turned into a heavy slushy snow between 8 and 9 a.m. in the District. Many commuters on foot carefully navigated puddles on sidewalks with umbrellas in hand. The precipitation did not immediately stick to D.C. roads but could still cause some roads to become slick or icy with reduced visibility.

Here is a list of school delays and closures in the D.C. area:

Schools in DC:

• No closures or delays at this time.

Schools in Virginia:

• Fairfax County Public Schools will open two hours late.
• Fauquier County Public Schools will open two hours late.
• Frederick County (Virginia) Public Schools will open two hours late.
• Loudoun County Public Schools will be closed Tuesday.

Schools in Maryland:

• Frederick County (Maryland) Public Schools will be closed Tuesday.
• Howard County Public Schools will open two hours late.
• Montgomery County Public Schools will open two hours late.

Employers:

• OPM will be open on Tuesday with an option for unscheduled leave or telework.

Track all closings and delays here.

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Steady snow started falling in parts of the D.C. area overnight, and road conditions were slippery or slick before sunrise, leading many school districts to announce closures on Friday morning. Some school districts have also canceled Saturday activities.

Steady snow that moved in early Friday morning moved in the afternoon but was followed by a line of squalls that continued to dump snow in some areas between 2:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Storm Team4 declared a Weather Alert, and a winter storm warning was issued for parts of Montgomery and Frederick counties in Maryland and Loudoun County in Virginia. The rest of the D.C. area was under a winter weather advisory until 7 p.m. Go here for all weather alerts.

Snowfall totals: How much snow have DC, Maryland and Virginia gotten?

D.C. got 3.7 inches of snow, Manassas got 3.1 inches, Herndon saw 4.7 inches, Bowie had 4 inches, and some areas to the north and west surpassed 5 inches.

Tracking messy road conditions, delays on Metro and at airports

Metro said it’s operating under a “moderate snow plan.” Some bus routes were canceled, and others may take detours. Here’s a full list. Check changes to Metrobus on busETA and Metrorail on MetroPulse.

Even on major roads, travel times were slow because drivers took it easy, as they should, First4 Traffic Reporter Melissa Mollet said. If you need to drive, go slow and give yourself plenty of space to stop on slick roads. Remember to give plows space. Plow trackers let you follow their routes in Maryland and Virginia.

Crashes were reported on southbound I-270 near Montrose Road, the Inner Loop of the Beltway after the BW Parkway and northbound Branch Avenue near Suitland Parkway.

The northern section of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, from the Capital Beltway (I-495) to Spout Run, was closed for hours but reopened by 6 p.m. The National Park Service had announced it would close the parkway during winter weather so crews could adequately treat the road even while it’s undergoing major construction.

Near Georgia Avenue and Heathfield Road, a crash involving several vehicles blocked some lanes, Montgomery County fire department spokesperson Pete Piringer said.

Road crews were out Thursday night to prepare the roads for snow, and salt also remained on roads and sidewalks from the snow we got Monday and Tuesday.

D.C. extended its snow emergency through Sunday. The Snow Team was sent to put salt on emergency routes but said that “residential and side streets are already pretreated due to the amount of brine and salt spread during the snow event earlier this week.”

Reagan National Airport lifted a ground stop due to snow or ice by 8:30 a.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Travelers using DCA and Dulles International Airport are advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport.

School closures, delays return Friday

Several school systems announced snow days and delays for Friday. Closures announced Thursday evening included public schools in D.C.; Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax County, Virginia, and Montgomery, Prince George’s and Frederick County, Maryland. See the full list of school closures here.

Federal agencies in the D.C. area opened two hours late, the Office of Personnel Management said. 

For some kids, Thursday might have been their only school day this week. After the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday Monday, snow days were called Tuesday and Wednesday for some school systems, while others had delays.

National Zoo closes

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute announced that it would close on Friday due to the inclement weather.

It was the second time this week that the zoo closed due to snow. The first closures came on Monday and Tuesday.

Thankfully, the zoo shared photos of animals with “snow-covered snoots” for would-be visitors in need of a wildlife fix.

Volunteers help shovel sidewalks in DC

As snow piles up, it’s important to keep your sidewalks clear. In the District, law states that home and business owners are responsible for clearing their sidewalks after the snowfall ends. But for people who can’t clear their own walkways due to age or medical conditions, the District has teams of volunteers ready to help.

Residents can contact Serve DC to request a team of volunteers to come clear their sidewalks. And if you’re looking to help out, Serve DC is asking for volunteers.

You can get help or volunteer online here or by calling 202-727-7925.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

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School districts in Virginia and Maryland announced school closures and delays ahead of the snowfall, which turned out to be our most significant accumulation in about two years. Storm Team4 issued a Weather Alert.

Here’s a full list of closures and delays, including colleges, charter schools, private schools and government offices.

Federal offices in the DC area are closed.

The Office of Personnel Management closed federal offices in the D.C. area. Maximum telework is in effect. Here’s the OPM’s full operating status notice.

DC Public Schools are closed Tuesday.

Several charter schools are closed as well, including KIPP DC and Friendship Public Charter Schools.

In Virginia, the following districts are closed Tuesday:

• Alexandria City Public Schools
• Arlington Public Schools
• Culpeper County Public Schools
• Fairfax County Public Schools
• Falls Church City Public Schools
• Fauquier County Public Schools
• Frederick County Public Schools
• Fredericksburg City Schools
• Loudoun County Public Schools
• Manassas City Public Schools
• Manassas Park City Schools
• Page County Public Schools
• Prince William County Public Schools
• Orange County Public Schools
• Shenandoah County Public Schools
• Stafford County Public Schools
• Warren County Public Schools

Winchester City Public Schools opened with a two-hour delay.

In Maryland, the following districts are closed Tuesday:

• Anne Arundel County Schools
• Montgomery County Public Schools
• Prince George’s County Public Schools

Public schools in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties opened with a two-hour delay. Frederick County Public Schools already had students scheduled for a day off; staff had a two-hour delay.

Metrobus

Metrobus is operating under its severe snow plan, and only about 40 bus routes are running. Here are more details.

“Customers should allow additional travel time and use caution on sidewalks and at bus stops,” WMATA said. “Bus customers are also encouraged to consider using Metrorail as an alternative, as no weather-related impacts to rail service are anticipated at this time.”

Other closures

The National Zoo announced it would not open on Tuesday due to the hazardous weather conditions. Other Smithsonian museums in D.C. area also closed.

weather Jan 16

DC's snow drought is over! Most spots around the region get several inches

The closures come after drivers faced slick conditions in parts of the region Monday, following the first burst of snow.

A driver hit a D.C. EMS vehicle head-on along Rock Creek Parkway, and a dump truck overturned on DC-295 in Southeast D.C. In Virginia, up to 50 cars were stopped and multiple crashes were reported at Old Keene Mill Road and Westmore Drive in Springfield during icy conditions. In Maryland, East-West Highway was blocked at Connecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase after a number of collisions. At least one injury was reported.

What to know about Tuesday’s forecast

Storm Team4 says the worst of the impacts on Tuesday would be:

• icy roads in the morning
• reduced visibility, particularly before sunrise when the snow is still falling
• strong winds, with gusts about 20 mph
• dangerous cold, with windchills in the 20s throughout the day
• temperatures will be well below average for the rest of the week

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

Monday’s snow has not amounted to a lot, but it was enough to create some slippery road conditions blamed for collisions throughout the DMV, including an emergency medical services vehicle crashing head-on with another vehicle on Rock Creek Parkway.

And more snow is on the way.

The D.C. area is expected to see inches of snow between Monday and Tuesday, with the snowfall affecting travel, especially on Tuesday morning.

It’s shaping up to be the most significant snow in about two years for the region, Storm Team4 Meteorologist Chuck Bell said.

Monday morning’s snow was light, fluffy and easy to wipe away with a broom or brush. But cold temperatures mean snowflakes can stick to untreated roads and sidewalks, and plenty of areas are slick.

“Be prepared for anything,” Alex Liggett of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) said. “This is one of the first systems we’ve seen in a long time.”

Keep an emergency kit ready and ensure you’re car is prepped for snow. You don’t want to run out of wiper fluid in the snow, Liggett said.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser activated the District’s cold weather emergency plan through Thursday. Here are resources for unhoused people or others who need help staying safe. Go here for more information on the District’s plan, shelters and tips.

The National Zoo announced it would close Monday due to icy conditions.

While many schools and businesses are closed Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, delays and cancelations are likely on Tuesday, Bell said. The federal U.S. Office of Personnel Management said normal operating procedures are in effect on Monday.

Travel was already slow and unsteady early Monday as temperatures were cold enough for flakes to stick to the ground, particularly on secondary roads.

Major road closures, many crashes on Monday

The GW Parkway between the Capital Beltway and Spout Run Parkway was shut down because of poor road conditions, impacting travel not far from Reagan National Airport. An extended closure is expected under a snow plan in place because of major construction on the road. Drivers are advised to find alternate routes.

“Drivers should anticipate delays in reopening the northern section of the parkway as crews are required to use smaller equipment than usual to accommodate the lane widths and configurations,” the National Park Service said in a statement.

A dump truck overturned on DC-295 in Southeast D.C., spilling its contents onto the road and blocking all lanes. No injuries were reported, D.C. firefighters said.

A driver hit an EMS vehicle head-on along Rock Creek Parkway near Shoreham Drive, officials said. There were no injuries, but icy conditions are believed to be a factor.

A pickup truck hit a power pole in the Oakton area along Main Street near Presbyterian Way, Fairfax City police said. Dominion Energy crews responded to the scene. Dominion reported about 535 customers without power in the area shortly after the crash.

Possibly up to 50 cars were stopped and multiple crashes were reported at Old Keene Mill Road and Westmore Drive in Springfield, Virginia amid icy conditions.

Along the Capital Beltway in Prince George’s County, crashes involving multiple vehicles blocked lanes, shoulders and medians, but lanes reopened after a few hours, the Metropolitan Area Transportation Operations Coordination (MATOC) Program said.

East West Highway was blocked at Connecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase after a number of collisions. At least one injury was reported, but officials didn’t immediately give further details.

Nine cars were involved in two crashes, but fortunately, no injuries were reported, near Baltimore Avenue and East West Highway in Riverdale Park, Hyattsville firefighters said.

In Takoma Park, icy conditions shut down Carroll Avenue from Merrimac Drive to Lincoln Avenue, police said.

Rockville police said they were “responding to multiple traffic collisions due to poor roadway conditions. Salt crews have been notified.” They asked drivers to slow down.

A winter weather advisory is set to be in place until 7 a.m. Tuesday. Here’s a full list of weather alerts.

D.C.’s snow team was deployed beginning at 6 p.m. Sunday.

“Northern Virginia District crews began pretreating interstates and primary roads, along with bridges, ramps, and overpasses with salt brine Sunday and will be out treating Monday morning as snow develops,” the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) said.

VDOT crews are expected to start plowing once 2 inches of snow have fallen.

Snow totals and what to expect

Another round of snow will move from the south toward the north late Monday evening, becoming widespread overnight. Snowfall is expected to lighten Tuesday morning and taper off at around noon before returning.

The heaviest accumulation is expected to come from 7 p.m. Monday through 9 a.m. Tuesday

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest on timing.

The total accumulation by Tuesday should land at around 2-3 inches, but “some isolated locations could get a little bit more… The second half of the day looks to be quiet,” Storm Team4 Meteorologist Jessica Faith says. 

Storm Team4 says the worst of the impacts on Tuesday will be: 

• icy roads in the morning
• reduced visibility, particularly before sunrise when the snow is still falling
• strong winds with gusts at around 20 mph
• dangerous cold, with windchill in the 20s during the whole day

Temperatures will be well below average in the week ahead, Faith says.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

High wind warnings and flood warnings remain in effect in some areas Wednesday morning. Go here for all weather alerts.

Two people were rescued from a car trapped on a flooded street in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, overnight, officials said. Prince George’s County Fire and EMS were called to the water rescue at Water Street at 3:30 a.m. News4’s Joseph Olmo saw a vehicle in high water hours later. The car was submerged in the high water flowing over the street. Only its license plate, windows and roof were visible.

In Lanham, seven people had to be pulled from vehicles stranded in high water along Lanham Severn Road, just south of Greenbelt Road, after water from Folly Branch flooded the street, according to the Prince George’s County fire department. Lanham Severn Road was closed in both directions between Greenbelt Road and Green Haven Road.

In Beltsville, rescue crews responded to reports of a man stuck in floodwaters along Baltimore Avenue. Firefighters said a good Samaritan pulled the man from rising waters but he was unresponsive. Crews performed CPR on him as they rushed him to a hospital. No information on his condition was released. Prince George’s County police are investigating.

Emergency crews had to rescue multiple people from high water in Prince William County – in some cases because drivers ignored road closure signs.

“The closures we had this morning, I believe they were both posted with signs: ‘Road closed. High water.’ People ignored those warnings, continued in,” Assistant Fire Chief Matt Smolsky told News4.

weather Jan 9

High water creates challenges in Northern Virginia

weather Jan 9

Heavy rain and high winds hamper travel

Several roads in Fairfax County were closed due to flooding, police said Tuesday afternoon; see a list here.

Beach Drive in Kensington, Maryland, was also flooded. Part of the street near Connecticut Avenue was impossible to see underneath the water. At one point, firefighters were called in to help people trapped in a vehicle. They were brought out safely and no one was taken for medical care, officials said.

Remember to never, ever drive on a flooded road. Turn around, don’t drown!

A tree fell across Conifer Lane in Kensington, where Montgomery County fire crews and PEPCO utility crews were called around 4:45 p.m. No injuries were reported, but the tree damaged a parked car.

At the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, police halted traffic in both directions on both spans due to the high winds Tuesday evening. Gusts reached up to 80 mph. It reopened under limited wind restrictions before 9 p.m. Traffic was also paused at the Nice Bridge between Charles County, Maryland, and King George County Virginia.

Rain totals

The rain fell on already saturated soil Tuesday evening, and the wind toppled some trees and power lines. Though rain tapered off just before sunrise on Wednesday, the gusty winds remained.

Tuesday’s rain and wind were for the record books. Rain totals were well over 2 inches and peak wind gusts at airports were about 50 mph.

• Reagan National Airport: 2.24 inches of rain and 52 mph peak wind gust
• Dulles Airport: 1.76 inches of rain and 50 mph peak wind gust
• BWI: 2.62 inches of rain and 48 mph peak wind gust
• Annapolis: 2.23 inches and 50 mph peak wind gust

D.C. has now gotten nearly 10 inches of rain since Dec. 1, leaving the ground waterlogged.

School delays and closures

Several schools in Maryland and Virginia will open late on Wednesday due to the storm.

The following Maryland schools will open late or be closed:

• Bowie State University will be closed.
• Howard County Public Schools will open two hours late.
• University of Maryland College Park will open at 10 a.m.

The following Virginia schools will open two hours late:

• Fauquier County Public Schools
• Fredericksburg City Schools
• King George County Schools
• Orange County Public Schools
• Page County Public Schools
• Spotsylvania County Public Schools
• Stafford County Public Schools

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The winter storm was moving out of the region on Saturday night, but before it did, it left light snow and some sleet before it changed into all rain for much of the area. Highs were in mid- to upper 30s.

“We could see rain and snow coming down at a pretty good rate at times,” Storm Team4 Meteorologist Amelia Draper said.

Areas to the north and west of the D.C. metro area saw the largest effects of the storm and the most frozen precipitation. Loudoun County, Virginia, public schools canceled on-campus activities and announced administrative officers would be closed Saturday.

Fairfax County and Fauquier County schools in Virginia followed suit, also closing on-campus activities for Saturday. In Maryland, Frederick Community College canceled classes and closed its campus for the day.

Weather radar

Download the NBC Washington app on Apple and Android to use the weather radar on your mobile device.

Timing and snow totals

By 9 a.m. Saturday, we saw a wintry mix across the area, dropping mainly wet snow around D.C. and areas to the north.

By midday, the rain and snow line was in play right along the I-95 corridor. The D.C. area saw a shift to mostly rain in the afternoon.

But residents further west, in places like Purcelville and Clear Brooke, Virginia; Walkersville and Corriganville, Maryland; and Petersburg, West Virginia, snow began to accumulate by lunchtime.

Rain exited the area at nighttime, but there was a chance of a lingering shower on Sunday.

We’re talking about a lot of moisture: Nearly an inch of precipitation was predicted to fall in D.C. and its immediate suburbs. Unfortunately for snow lovers, most of this precipitation saw rain.

If this storm system had snow, there would be nearly a foot of snow across the area. But surface temperatures were too warm, among other factors.

Winter weather advisory issued for parts of Maryland and Virginia

A winter weather advisory was in effect from Saturday morning through the evening in areas all around D.C., including:

• Spotsylvania County, VA
• Orange County, VA
• Greene County, VA
• Culpeper County, VA
• Madison County, VA
• Stafford County, VA
• Central and Southeast Prince William County/Manassas/Manassas Park, VA
• Fairfax County, VA
• Rappahannock County, VA
• Northern Fauquier County, VA
• Northwest Prince William County, VA
• Eastern Loudoun County, VA
• Western Loudoun County, VA
• Central and Southeast Montgomery County, MD
• Central and Southeast Howard County, MD

Roads could be slippery in these areas, the National Weather Service warned.

A winter storm watch was issued for the I-81 corridor, including Winchester and Luray.

In Frederick, Maryland, state police activated the county’s Snow Emergency Plan on Saturday afternoon, designating a series of highways as snow emergency routes and requiring drivers to use snow tires.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

Many residents of the D.C. area could see snowflakes this weekend — but cold rain in the forecast is washing out hopes for a winter wonderland near the Beltway.

Storm Team4 is tracking a winter storm expected throughout Saturday. Some snow is expected Saturday before it changes into all rain for much of the region. Highs will be in the mid- to upper 30s.

“We could see rain and snow coming down at a pretty good rate at times,” Storm Team4 Meteorologist Amelia Draper said.

Areas to the north and west of the D.C. metro area will see the largest effects of the storm. Loudoun County, Virginia, public schools canceled on-campus activities and announced administrative officers would be closed Saturday.

Storm Team4 predicts:

• Little to no accumulation in the D.C. metro area
• 1-3 inches of snow north and west of D.C.
• 3 to 6 inches of snow and some ice in the I-81 corridor.

Here’s where snow and rain are expected

Red zone: Along the I-81 corridor and up to Frederick County, Maryland is where the storm will have the biggest impacts. Snow is expected to arrive in the morning and continue into the afternoon. Even in this zone, the storm will likely end with rain.

But there’s also the chance for some ice in these areas north and west of D.C., including the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Hagerstown area.

Yellow Zone: Between Washington; most of Fairfax, Montgomery and Prince William counties and down through Stafford and Fauquier counties, expect a wintry mix.

“We’re looking at a mix of rain and snow changing over to all rain by the midday and afternoon hours” on Saturday, Draper said.

Green zone: In southern Maryland, central and southern Prince George’s County and up through Anne Arundel County, you’re dealing with mainly rain.

“Could you see a few snowflakes? Absolutely,” Draper said. “But this is just going to be, for the most part, a rainy chilly day for those of you east of I-95.”

Weather radar

Download the NBC Washington app on Apple and Android to use the weather radar on your mobile device.

Timing and snow totals

By 9 a.m. Saturday, we’ll likely have a wintry mix across the area, dropping mainly wet snow around D.C. and areas to the north.

About midday, the rain and snow line is set to be in play right along the I-95 corridor. But the D.C. area can expect a shift to mostly rain in the afternoon.

Rain will exit as we head into nighttime, but there could be a lingering shower or some lingering snow showers out there on Sunday.

We’re talking about a lot of moisture: Nearly an inch of precipitation could fall.

Unfortunately for snow lovers, most of this precipitation will be rain.

If this storm system was all snow, we’d be talking about nearly a foot of snow across the area. But surface temperatures will be too warm, among other factors.

Winter weather advisory issued for parts of Maryland and Virginia

A winter weather advisory will be in effect from Saturday morning through the evening in areas north and west of D.C., including:

• Culpeper County, Virginia
• Fairfax County, Virginia
• Fauquier County, Virginia
• Loudoun County, Virginia
• Prince William County, Virginia
• Spotsylvania County, Virginia
• Stafford County, Virginia
• Howard County, Maryland
• Montgomery County, Maryland

Roads could be slippery in these areas, the National Weather Service warned.

A winter storm watch was issued for the I-81 corridor, including Winchester and Luray.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

Many residents of the D.C. area could see snowflakes this weekend — but the closer we get to Saturday, the less likely it seems that we’ll get much.

Storm Team4 is tracking a winter storm expected throughout Saturday and into early Sunday. A mix of rain, snow and possibly ice is expected during the first half of Saturday, before it changes into all rain for much of the region. Areas to the north and west of the D.C. metro area will see the largest effects of the storm.

The rain-snow line is often a tricky part of winter storm forecasting, and it’s set to be in play in the evolving forecast for this winter storm.

“The big question is: Where is that rain-snow line going to set up?” Storm Team4 Chief Meteorologist Doug Kammerer said.

It’s still too early to talk about possible snow accumulation totals.

Here’s where snow and rain are expected

Storm Team4 Meteorologist Amelia Draper laid out where more snow is expected.

Red Zone: Areas of Maryland and Virginia farther away from the metro area will see the biggest impacts. “This is looking like mainly a snow event for you,” Draper said. The storm may end there as a wintry mix or rain.

These locations include:

• northern Fauquier County, Virginia
• Frederick County, Maryland
• western Loudoun County, Virginia
• upper Montgomery County, Maryland
• Page County, Virginia
• Rappahannock County, Virginia
• Warren County, Virginia

Yellow Zone: The District and parts of Maryland and Virginia bordering the Capital Beltway will get a wintry mix, with snow arriving Saturday morning and then changing over to all rain. Not much snow accumulation is expected.

These areas include:

• D.C.
• Fairfax County, Virginia
• Manassas, Virginia
• lower Montgomery County, Maryland
• northern Prince George’s County, Maryland
• Prince William County, Virginia

Green Zone: Primarily rain, and possibly some snow flurries, are expected in parts of Maryland. These areas include:

• Calvert County
• Charles County
• St. Mary’s County
• southern Prince George’s County

The forecast models differ on where the rain-snow line may fall, but the general consensus is that more snow would fall north and west of D.C.

Rain is more likely farther to the south and east.

Here’s what we know about the storm timing

One computer model says we’ll still be dry at 6 a.m. Saturday and that we’ll see snow in the D.C. metro area toward midday. Rain will move in that afternoon, and the storm system will start to wind down overnight Saturday.

So, will be shoveling snow or skipping tests at school on Monday? As of right now, it doesn’t look likely.

Here’s the forecast for the rest of the workweek

Before the weekend, expect mostly calm and cool weather. High temperatures will be in the 40s, with breezy winds on Thursday. Lows will be in the mid 30s on Thursday and mid 20s on Friday.

Storm Team4 winter weather outlook

If you want snow, and lots of it, Storm Team4’s winter weather outlook said this could be your year.

Storm Team 4 predicted:

• 22″-30″ of snow this winter for the I-95 corridor and the D.C. metro area
• 15″-22″ in our southern zones
• 30″-40″ in the western suburbs

Go here to see the full winter weather outlook.

Weather radar:

Download the NBC Washington app on Apple and Android to use the weather radar on your mobile device.

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Storm Team4's winter weather outlook

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

A driver in Montgomery County, Maryland, was rescued from a tree early Monday after getting swept away in high water, and more than 5,500 power outages were reported, officials said.

The driver was on Brighton Dam Road in the Brookeville area about 4:30 a.m. when their car got caught in high water. The driver left the vehicle and was swept downstream, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue said.

That person was holding onto a tree when rescuers arrived shortly after. Boats were sent to help, Montgomery County officials said. Two vehicles were seen in the water, officials said. No serious injuries were reported.

Remember: If you see water on a road, turn around, don’t drown.

Most of the D.C. area picked up 2 to 2.5 inches of rain, making this one of the biggest December rainfalls on record, Storm Team4 Meteorologist Chuck Bell said.

Dulles International Airport clocked 2.27 inches of rain, its third-greatest rainfall total for a 24-hour period in December. Washington Reagan National Airport recorded 2.41 inches, and BWI-Marshall got 2.69 inches.

In Maryland, flooding closed lanes on Route 28 near Avery Road in Rockville and on River Road in Bethesda.

In the District, a huge tree was uprooted by strong winds overnight at Massachusetts Avenue and Upton Road NW. Crews were working to clear the tree from the roadway about 5:30 a.m. Another downed tree and wires also blocked lanes along outbound Canal Road NW. Rock Creek Parkway, Virginia Avenue NW and parts of Beach Drive were closed Monday morning because of flooding.

Storm Team4 declared Weather Alerts for Sunday and Monday. A flood watch was in effect Sunday evening for parts of D.C, Maryland and Virginia, and a flood warning continued through 7 a.m. Monday. A wind advisory is in effect Monday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in parts of D.C, Maryland and Virginia. Go here for all weather alerts.

Expect flooding, high winds Monday

Strong winds will be the biggest weather worry Monday as temperatures slowly drop. The heavy rain has come to an end, but the wind will turn to the northwest and continue gusting to near 40 mph all afternoon.

The weather alert continues Monday due to the high winds. Here’s the Storm Team4 forecast.

“If you are going to bring your umbrella, just know, make sure that it is reinforced, because the wind is really going to be quite an issue,” Bell said.

Bell told drivers to take extra time during their morning commutes due to high or standing water in flood-prone areas. Flood waters were expected to recede in the afternoon.

Power outages

About 2,200 Pepco customers in Chillum, Maryland, and 3,000 Dominion Energy customers in Fairfax, Virginia, were without power as of 5 a.m. You can check Pepco and Dominion Energy power outages online. BGE has not reported outages in the D.C. area.

Sunday storm and rainfall

Sunday began with a special weather statement, warning drivers to be careful on the road for dense fog that lasted into the late morning. Storm Team4 Meteorologist Clay Anderson said it was like pea soup.

Rain began after the fog cleared and gradually increased over the day. It picked up after sunset, and the flood watch went into effect at 6 p.m., Anderson said. Prime time for the heaviest rain and strong winds began Sunday at 4 p.m. and continued overnight before ending early Monday.

Despite it being mid-December, temperatures were on the warm side at about 50° overnight.

Most of the area picked up 2 to 2.5 inches of rain from the storm, Bell said. Some models hinted rainfall could total 3 inches – but that would have been highly unusual for December, Bell said.

Washington’s all-time record for daily rainfall in December is 3.1 inches.

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10-day forecast and Christmas travel outlook

Cold, dry weather will follow the storm and last through most of next week.

The early outlook for Christmas travel is good, with dry weather in the days leading up to the holiday. Christmas Eve is expected to have some sunshine and temps between 34 and 50 degrees.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

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Everything’s coming up sunshine for Friday and Saturday. Expect cold mornings, then high temperatures in the mid-50s. It’ll be great weather for seeing holiday lights or hitting up festive pop-up bars, even as a few clouds roll in on Saturday.

Save your Hallmark movie binge for Sunday, though! And make sure that storm drains, gutters and holiday decorations are ready for the heavy rain and strong winds.

As early as sunrise on Sunday, you may hear some raindrops. A couple of showers and sprinkles aren’t out of the question throughout the morning.

“We are in store for another real soaking of rain,” Storm Team4 Meteorologist Chuck Bell said.

Sunday rainfall totals and timing

The heaviest rain will be most likely between 4 p.m. Sunday and 4 a.m. Monday.

Most of our forecast models agree that 2 inches of rain is likely. Some models are hinting rainfall could total 3 inches – but that would be highly unusual for December, Bell said.

Washington’s all-time record for daily rainfall in December is 3.1 inches.

“I don’t know if we can get all the way to the full on record, but we’ll be close. It’ll be, in all likelihood, one of the [top] five or six rainiest December days on record,” Bell said.

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Whether or not any records get challenged, it will be very wet. If you had any high water issues with last Sunday’s storm, be prepared for more issues with this one.

There may be a small chance for a snowflake at the end, but Storm Team4 doesn’t expect enough to cause any significant delays. It’s not forecast to be like last Monday morning.

But much like last week, the storm is set to race out of the region by Monday afternoon.

10-day forecast and Christmas travel outlook

The remainder of the week is shaping up to be cold with highs in the 40s.

The early outlook for Christmas travel is good, with dry weather in the days leading up to the holiday. Christmas Eve is expected to have some sunshine and temps between 34 and 50 degrees.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

A white coating on grassy areas and some enormous falling snowflakes were seen by early risers.⁠ But don’t expect a long-lasting winter wonderland: Snow was finished before most people took their morning coffee break.

Snow totals ranged from under a half-inch to 1.5 inches in the areas farther outside the Beltway, including Prince William County and upper Montgomery County, according to the National Weather Service.

After a nearly snow-free winter last year – D.C. got a measly 0.4″ all season – drivers had to again wipe snow and sometimes ice off their cars. Some slushiness was seen on roads early Monday.

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Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesman Pete Piringer cautioned drivers to use caution on untreated roads or elevated surfaces including bridges and overpasses, which could be slick.

Public schools in Frederick, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in Maryland, plus Spotsylvania and Stafford Counties in Virginia were among those who started late because of the snowy weather. Here’s a full list of school delays.

“It looks scarier than it is going to be,” Storm Team4 Meteorologist Chuck Bell said. “On the whole, roads are just wet.”

Temperatures were near-freezing early Monday and forecasted highs are in the mid-40s. By Monday afternoon, clouds will be long gone and blustery wind will take over. Here’s the Storm Team4 forecast.

Little, if any, evidence of snow will be visible by Monday evening, Bell said.

But about 4 a.m., snowflakes were coming down hard in parts of the region.

Photos show a dusting of white in Rockville and thick flakes falling in Waldorf.

By 6 a.m., the snow turned into a wet wintry mix in Upper Marlboro. Snow remained on grassy areas and parked cars, but melted on Maryland Route 301, leaving wet driving conditions.

On Interstate 270 in the Rockville area, slush along the shoulders of the highway was gone and traffic was running as normal, even with wet roads.

Parts of Montgomery County had some of the highest snow totals in the region: Damascus reported 2.5 inches in one reading and Gaithersburg measured about 1.5 inches, according to the National Weather Service.

In Prince William County, Manassas and Dale City reported about an inch of snow. In Fairfax County, Mount Vernon, Vienna and Chantilly each had reports of more than an inch of snowfall.

The snow comes after a rainy Sunday with 1 to 1.5 inches of rain in the D.C. area.

D.C.’s burst of snow came on the early side this year. The average first snowfall occurs on Dec. 20, Storm Team4 Meteorologist Ryan Miller said.

Does that signal a snowy season to come? Maybe.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is currently predicting above-average temperatures for our region this winter, and Storm Team4 agrees with this. They are also predicting above-average precipitation in our region — and we agree with this as well.

El Niño has set up in the equatorial Pacific, and that could lead to more snow, including the potential for some big snowstorms. El Niño has a profound influence on the weather around the globe. In our area, it normally means more snow.

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A flood watch is in effect for excessive rainfall in parts of D.C., Maryland and Virginia until 1 a.m. on Monday. Go here for all weather alerts.

“It’s really the chance of flooding this afternoon that has our concern,” Storm Team4 Meteorologist Ryan Miller said.

Rain began falling early Sunday. Heavy rain began around noon and will continue through midnight. Gusty winds up to 35 mph are possible. 

The greatest potential for flooding is in areas along and east of Interstate 95, Miller said. Close to two inches of rain could fall in the Metro area. 

Temperatures are expected to climb to the lower 60s during the day. A cold front will move into the western viewer area by 7 p.m. This will turn some of the rain into snow overnight and into Monday morning. 

“A very mild day ahead of the cold front that’s ultimately going to give us the colder air,” Miller said. 

Some light snow accumulation may be visible on grassy surfaces in D.C. While the northwestern suburbs could see a bit of snow into the early morning hours, according to Miller. 

There will be precipitation early Monday, but it will quiet down quickly. Expect wet roads during the morning commute.

Stay with News4 for updates for this forecast and check out our weather page for radar and more weather info.

Rain will start in the western counties, including Frederick, Loudoun, Prince William and Fauquier, about 6 p.m. before moving into the D.C. area.

As temperatures fall overnight, there will be a slight chance for some wet snowflakes to mix in with the rain.

Storm Team4 Meteorologist Amelia Draper emphasized there will be no accumulations — if we see snow at all.

“There is that chance it just doesn’t materialize,” Draper said. “It is not going to be a big deal here in the D.C. metro area.”

Any snow we get will immediately melt when it hits the ground, she said.

There’s a slight possibility areas near Interstate-81 like Winchester, Luray and other areas to the west could get a coating.

The highest elevations in far western Maryland and West Virginia are under a winter weather advisory through tomorrow morning for 3 to 6 inches, Draper said.

Aside from the small chance for rain and snow in the morning, Wednesday will be chilly with a high of 44 degrees.

Stay with News4 for updates for this forecast and check out our weather page for radar and more weather info.

But get those waterproof boots and snow shovels ready — because if you want snow, and lots of it, Storm Team4 says this could be your year.

Storm Team 4 is predicting:

• 22″-30″ of snow this winter for the I-95 corridor and the D.C. metro area
• 15″-22″ in our southern zones
• 30″-40″ in the western suburbs

If conditions come together, we could see one or two big snowstorms that really make their mark on the winter of 2023-2024.

We should see an active storm track this winter, with numerous storms that will produce rain at times and snow at other times. Temperatures will be above average for a good chunk of this winter, but there will be cold bouts as well. All of this will add up to the potential for some big East Coast storms.

We expect December to be about average or a little bit above. January will have near to slightly below average temperatures, while February could be our coldest month — and our stormiest.

Recent winters have seen a shortage of snowflakes

Our last blizzard was all the way back in 2016. As one of the biggest snowstorms in D.C. history, it shut down the city for days.

But since then, six out of our past seven winters have seen below-average snowfall. The winter of 2018-2019 was the only time we surpassed the average of 13.7″.

Over these past seven years, we’ve averaged just 6.8″ of snow per year — and in two of those years, we didn’t even get a single inch. The winter of 2019-2020 saw just 0.6″, and last winter was one of the least snowy of all time, with a measly 0.4″. Last winter was also one of the warmest of all time.

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A snowy outlook for winter of 2023-2024

It has been either feast or famine when it comes to snow over the last few years, but lately it’s been more famine.

Now, as we look toward the winter of 2023-2024, we could be feasting quite a bit more.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is currently predicting above-average temperatures for our region this winter, and we agree with this. They are also predicting above-average precipitation in our region — and we agree with this as well.

El Niño has set up in the equatorial Pacific, and that could lead to more snow, including the potential for some big snowstorms. El Niño has a profound influence on the weather around the globe. In our area, it normally means more snow, but let’s dive into the details.

What to know about El Niño’s effect on winters in the DC area

This developing El Niño is looking to be a strong one. Looking at previous years with similar conditions, the D.C. area has hit the jackpot in regards to snowfall almost every time.

We reviewed four similar El Niño winters: 1957-1958, 1965-1966, 1972-1973 and 1982-1983. The average snowfall over those four winters was 24″ — but we said we hit the jackpot only almost every time. The winter of 1972-1973 was actually our least snowy winter on record, with just 0.1″. While El Niño might have been similar that year, other factors are not, and Storm Team4 is taking that year out of the equation.

So over those other El Niño winters (1957-1958, 1965-1966 and 1982-1983), we got an average of 32.1″ per winter. That’s a big number — and Storm Team4 expects a big winter.

Other factors involved in predicting a snowy winter

There are numerous other factors at play in addition to El Niño. For example, warm water in the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico should help produce more moisture during storms in the D.C. area. The warm water of the Pacific should also help to bring more moisture in from the west.

Another factor to consider is Siberian snow cover in October and early November. Normally, cold and snowy weather there during this time period could mean a colder-than-average winter for us and one with more snow. This year, snowfall in that area of the world has been a little late, but it’s starting now to really increase.

Storm Team4 also reviews something called the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation (QBO). This takes a look at winds in the stratosphere. Currently, the QBO is negative. When this happens, we look for more cold weather outbreaks in the eastern U.S., and that could lead to more snow.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

Here’s a big-picture look at Storm Team4’s fall forecast and fall foliage forecast.

First, here’s a look at the leaves

Temperatures, sun exposure and rainfall affect the length and brilliance of fall color. For vivid color, the ideal conditions are bright, warm days and cool nights.

Drought and heat lead to stressed trees. Stressed trees produce dull colors and drop their leaves early.

Unfortunately, many trees in our area are stressed, and we’re already seeing signs of early leaf drop in some places.

This map from the site Explore Fall shows the fall foliage stress outlook, based on soil moisture and temperature anomalies.

The darker color indicates high foliage stress. Areas with high stress and moderate stress trees can be seen outside the D.C. metropolitan area.

The U.S. Drought Monitor also echoes the concern for stressed trees, with areas north and west of D.C. in moderate to severe drought.

“Factor in 2023 as one of warmest years on record, and by the time we typically expect peak color around Halloween, a lot of the leaves could be brown or off the trees,” Draper said.

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Here’s Storm Team4’s forecast for the fall

October is set to have temperatures below average, and above average precipitation, Storm Team4 Chief Meteorologist Doug Kammerer said. A coastal storm or nor’easter could hit in the second or third week in October, with lots of rainfall.

November is expected to have about average temperatures and precipitation.

The heat wave is expected to bring record-breaking temperatures and a heat index about 100 degrees, according to Storm Team4. A hot weather emergency plan is activated in D.C. through Thursday.

Pools in the District are typically open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Due to the excessive heat, the Oxon Run pool and the pool at Hearst Recreation Center will remain open until Sept. 21.

DC pools open during September

Oxon Run Pool is located at 501 Mississippi Avenue SE, about a mile from the Congress Heights Metro station. It is closed on Mondays, but open Tuesday to Friday from noon to 8 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The pool at the Hearst Recreation Center is located at 3701 37th Street NW, about 0.8 miles from the Clevland Park Metro station. It is open Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

DC spray parks open during September

Eighteen of the District’s spray parks are staying open until Sept. 21. The kid-friendly fountains can help residents beat the heat from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. See the locations below:

Ward 1

• 14th & Park Road (Columbia Heights Civic Plaza): 14th Street & Park Road, NW | 20011
• Harrison Recreation Center: 1330 V Street, NW | 20009
• Park at LeDroit: 319 Oakdale Place, NW | 20001

Ward 2

• Kennedy Recreation Center: 1401 7th Street, NW | 20005

Ward 3

• Chevy Chase Recreation Center: 5500 41st Street, NW | 20015
• Guy Mason Recreation Center: 3600 Calvert Street, NW | 20007
• Macomb Recreation Center: 3409 Macomb Street, NW | 20016

Ward 4

• Takoma Community Center: 300 Van Buren Street, NW | 20012
• Lafayette-Pointer Recreation Center: 5900 33rd Street, NW | 20015
• Petworth Recreation Center: 801 Taylor Street, NW | 20011

Ward 5

• Edgewood Recreation Center: 3rd & Evarts Street, NE | 20002
• Turkey Thicket Recreation Center: 1100 Michigan Avenue, NE | 20017

Ward 6

• Eastern Market Metro Park: 701 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE | 20003
• Watkins Spray Park: 420 12th Street, SE | 20003

Ward 7

• Hillcrest Recreation Center: 3100 Denver Street, SE | 20020
• Fort Davis Spray Park: 1400 41st Street, SE | 20020
• Marvin Gaye Park at Division Avenue: Division & Foote Streets, NE | 20019
• Marvin Gaye Recreation Center: 6201 Banks Place, NE | 20019

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District leaders are urging everyone to be weather alert during the extreme heat. Heat is dangerous for vulnerable populations and residents are reminded to check on elderly neighbors, children and pets.

If exercising outdoors, do so early in the morning or in the evening. Be sure to hydrate and stay in the shade when outside.

Cooling centers are available for people without air conditioning. Click here to find a cooling center.

An inch or two of rain prompted a flash flood warning for southeastern Fairfax County, but that has been canceled.

The chance of rain remains into late evening.

Severe storms hit the D.C. area on Monday, drowning dogs at a flooded doggy day care in Northeast D.C. and leaving drivers stranded in their cars in high water in Alexandria and Springfield, Virginia.

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Stay with Storm Team4 and NBC Washington for updates on the forecast.

“It’s hard to watch; it’s unbearable,” D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said. “This is losing a member of your family or being scared that you did.”

Pet owners, some in tears, waited outside District Dogs to be reunited with their pets as firefighters carried soaked animals out of the facility on Rhode Island Avenue.

Water rose 6 feet up the front of the building before a wall collapsed and water rushed inside.

“As a result of that, we’ve had some fatalities for the dogs,” D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said.

The deceased dogs’ families are being notified of the tragedy. One woman spoke to News4’s sister station Telemundo 44 in Spanish about losing her “baby.”

The owner, who declined to provide her name, said her dog Mona had arrived in her life a year ago. She dropped her off at District Dogs on Monday before work, like she did everyday, not knowing it would be for the last time.

“I was coming to pick her up to take her home, and that’s when I saw many ambulances, the firefighters,” she said. “When I got close, that’s when I saw all the people also waiting for their dogs who told me about the situation.”

“The owner came up to me and told me that they had already removed all the ones that survived, and that the ones that were in the rooms were dead,” she added.

Firefighters had to break through drywall to let water out of the building and rescue seven employees and 20 dogs.

“I had only started leaving her there like two months ago. I would drop her off since she was mischievous. She liked to get into anything at home. She’d destroy everything,” Mona’s owner said.

Though she’s still processing her grief, the woman said she hasn’t ruled out the possibility of legal action against the day care.

“She was my little thing, she was my baby… He’s got to accept consequences for not having a safe space for the dogs,” she said. “I paid $700 a month for them to take care of her.”

Donnelly called the employees heroes who did everything they could to save the dogs.

Pet owners said they were told the dogs were moved to an elevated area as the building flooded.

“I ran down here as fast as I could,” pet owner Caroline Kruk said at the scene.

She rushed down to District Dogs after seeing a video of her dog, Emmy, being rescued. 

“[I felt] just relief, pure relief when I saw her little head come out over the barrier, just knowing that she’s OK,” Kruk said. 

Although she is grateful her pet is OK, she said her heart breaks for the other pet owners who weren’t so lucky.

District Dogs, which offers day care, grooming and boarding services, also was damaged by floodwaters in August 2022, and the owner pleaded with the city to do something about the flood-prone area.

District Dogs Owner Jacob Hensley released a statement on social media that read in part:

“The District Dogs family is heartbroken over the events that occurred at our Rhode Island Avenue location this evening. We appreciate the quick heroic actions of our employees and first responders to rescue animals.”

DC Water said a tunnel that should help with flooding in the area is expected to open in two months.

Five cars and a truck became disabled in floodwaters under the Rhode Island Avenue railway bridge.

D.C. Fire and EMS rescued 20 people in the area, including 10 at District Dogs.

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Heavy rain, powerful winds and hail battered parts of the area Monday afternoon. News4 received reports of drivers stranded because of high water, including in the city of Fairfax.

Flash flooding was a major concern as multiple inches of rain fell quickly, Storm Team4 Meteorologist Amelia Draper said.

A flood watch was in effect for D.C. and parts of Maryland and Virginia until 2 a.m.

D.C. Fire and EMS responded to reports of cars under water and people stranded on top of cars in the 600 block of Rhode Island Avenue NE.

District Dogs, which offers a dog spa, day care, boarding and grooming services, flooded again just over a year after floodwaters trashed the business. Firefighters carried soaked dogs out of the facility as apparent dog owners waited outside, but multiple pets died.

“We’ve had some fatalities for the dogs,” D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said.

Flash flooding of 2 to 4 inches was reported in Alexandria and Springfield, the National Weather Service said. People reported being stranded in their cars in water at least 2 feet deep.

In Alexandria, Duke Street at Daingerfield Road was closed because of high water. People were being rescued as multiple vehicles were stuck in high water, officials said.

In Fairfax, Old Keene Mill Road was closed at Rolling Road. People were stranded in cars.

In Arlington, Columbia Pike was closed at South Greenbrier Street due to water flowing across the road. Video shows drivers and a bus passing through high water on Columbia Pike.

An 80-year-old woman was rescued from her car stuck in flooding on Upshur Road in Bladensburg, Maryland. Her son, who came to pick her up, told News4 she was driving when she came upon the flooded roadway.

The area has flooded in the past. Her car remained on the road until the water receded.

As always, never drive through high water. Turn around — don’t drown.

Tornado warnings were in effect and later expired for parts of Arlington, Charles, and Fairfax counties, plus Alexandria.

A wind gust of 58 mph was recorded at Reagan National Airport, the National Weather Service said.

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Severe storms swept through the area, bringing heavy rain, powerful winds and tornado warnings. Forecasters warned of the highest Severe Weather Outlook in 10 years.

A heart-stopping video taken from inside a car shows the moment that fierce winds knocked down power poles like dominoes, sending them crashing onto the highway not far from vehicles whose drivers had nowhere to go. No one was hurt.

The power lines fell onto Route 140 in Westminster at about 6 p.m., trapping 33 people — including 14 children — inside cars for over five hours while crews from BGE worked to de-energize the power lines, authorities said.

Contact with downed power lines can lead to injury or even death, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation.

Jeffrey Campbell said he was stuck in his car for hours and finally got out at about 11 p.m. But he had to leave his car behind, as it was still trapped by downed poles.

In all, more than 30 power poles were broken by straight-line winds during the storms, BGE officials said.

Cars remained empty and stranded on the road as of Tuesday morning. Route 140 will stay closed as crews pull the posts off the road. Detours may be in place for days.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore traveled to the area to survey the damage and talk with first responders.

He thanked the first responders, utility workers and people in the community who helped those stuck in their vehicles. He mentioned the bus drivers who waited to drive people home and the local school that stayed open to provide shelter and meals.

“This is what Maryland does. This is what the pride and the support of Maryland looks like,” Moore said. “And what we saw last night and into today was Maryland at its best. A Maryland who works together, a Maryland who comes together as one team and with one mission.”

This is a developing story. Stay with News4 for more updates.

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Here’s 4 things to know:

⚠️ Stunning video from Carroll County, Maryland, taken from inside a car shows powerful wind knocking down multiple power lines onto a busy highway, stranding dozens of people inside their vehicles.

⚠️Tornado warnings popped up in parts of Virginia hours after the National Weather Service advised people that twisters were possible in the D.C. area. Severe weather advisories, including an overnight flash flood watch, were all over by Tuesday morning. See all severe weather alerts here.

⚠️ Never drive through standing water. Be especially careful at night, when it’s harder to recognize flood dangers.

⚠️ Multiple trees and power lines came down around the region. Thousands of people were left without power overnight.

30+ Power Lines Fall Onto Roads in Carroll County, Maryland

Outside the D.C. area, other parts of Maryland were left in much worse shape after Monday night’s storms. In Harford County, the sheriff’s office had to rescue a woman when a tree fell onto her home. The damage is also extensive in Baltimore County and along parts of the Eastern Shore.

In Carroll County, power lines fell onto Route 140 in Westminster, trapping 33 people — including 14 children — inside their cars, authorities said.

Heart-stopping video taken from inside a car shows the moment that fierce winds knocked down power poles like dominoes, sending them crashing onto the highway not far from vehicles whose drivers had nowhere to go. Fortunately, no one was hurt.

Jeffrey Campbell said he was stuck in his car for hours and just got out around 11 p.m. But he had to leave his car behind, as it was still trapped by those downed poles.

In all, more than 30 power poles were broken by straight-line winds during the storms, BGE officials said. Route 140 will be closed while crews pull the posts off the road. Detours may be in place for days there.

Thousands of Homes Left in the Dark

Across the region, the storms knocked out power to tens of thousands of people, although service has been restored already in many of those communities.

Crews worked overnight Monday to restore power. By the morning, a tree that took down powerlines remained strewn across Zion Drive in Fairfax County, Virginia.

As of about 6 a.m. Tuesday, BGE was still working to restore power to about 53,000 customers.

About 11,500 Dominion Virginia customers were still in the dark, down from more than 50,000 at the height of the outages.

Pepco reported just 11 customers still without power, down from 400 at 11 p.m. Monday.

‘An Absolute Deluge Here’

Torrential but fast-moving rain fell across the region as lightning flashed and the Capitol dome stood out against a dramatic sky. Some people found piles of hailstones on sidewalks.

“It’s like the Fourth of July with lightning strikes popping off in every direction,” NBC4 photographer Nick Leimbach said near Leesburg about 5:30 p.m.

At Interstate 66 and Route 15 in Haymarket, Northern Virginia Bureau Chief Julie Carey saw an intense downpour with thunder, lightning and high winds. She was set up at a Sheetz gas station full of people taking cover.

“The flags, the trees — they are whipping,” Carey said. “Just an absolute deluge here. We’ve seen a very dark front line come through. It’s almost like night before the sky opened up and it started to fall, pour.”

Multiple roads were closed in Brandywine, Maryland, due to fallen trees. One tree fell at the intersection of Forum Drive and Government Center Parkway in Fairfax County, and another was down in the street in the 24000 block of River Road in Montgomery County.

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Workers rushed home Monday afternoon after a tornado watch was issued for the District and parts of Maryland and Virginia, as skies began to darken and winds picked up. That tornado watch ended at 9 p.m., and tornado warnings for several counties, including Fauquier, Loudoun and Spotsylvania, also expired. Several severe thunderstorm warnings also were issued for spots around the region.

Ahead of the storms, forecasters had warned of a higher Severe Weather Outlook than we’d had in 10 years.

“You want to prepare for derecho-like damage,” Draper said, referring to the 2012 storm that brought 70 to 90 mph winds, ripped off roofs, destroyed cars, knocked out power, tore down thousands of trees and sent temperatures soaring to 100 degrees.

The National Weather Service issued tornado watches up and down the East Coast, from Alabama to New York, officials said Monday afternoon.

Flights were routed around the storms as much as possible, the FAA said.

Government offices, as well as some colleges and schools, closed early as a precaution:

• The federal government closed all its offices in the D.C. area, including the Pentagon, telling employees to leave by 3 p.m.
• Loudoun County Public Schools closed all schools and facilities at 3:30 p.m. and canceled after-school activities.
• The University of Maryland College Park campus and George Mason University in Fairfax also closed early.
• So did all D.C. Public Library branches.

At Nationals Park, gates opened at 4:30 p.m. for Monday night’s Pink concert, but guests were told to stay in the concourse until the storms passed. Photos showed scores of fans crowded together under cover and a sea of empty seats in the ballpark.

Concert goers waited more than three hours before skies cleared enough for them to be safely seated.

It’s been a little more than a week since punishing storms on July 29 knocked out power for many residents and ripped huge trees from the ground.

Flash Flood Warnings Issued as Overnight Rain Continues

Monday evening’s storms were fast-moving, Storm Team4 Meteorologist Amelia Draper said. Although the evening rain was heavy, it moved through so quickly that flooding was not an immediate concern.

However, pockets of rain are continuing into the early overnight hours.

⚠️ A flash flood warning was issued for much of the metro area, including the District; Alexandria, Arlington, Falls Church and Fairfax County, Virginia; and Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in Maryland. That warning was expected to expire at 2:45 a.m. Tuesday.

Remember to never drive through standing water.

Weather.gov shared the following warnings and tips:

• Road beds may be washed out under floodwaters. Never drive through flooded roadways — you don’t know the condition of the road under the water.
• Be especially careful at night, when it’s harder to recognize flood dangers.
• Don’t walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.
• If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do it safely. You and your car can be quickly swept away.
• Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing you to lose control and possibly stall your car. A foot of water will cause many vehicles to float.
• Know that creeks and streams can rise very rapidly during heavy rainfall.

News4’s Darcy Spencer reported some standing water on some roads in Prince George’s County.

The region will continue to have some pockets of heavy rain moving through the early overnight hours, with the chance for rain until about 6 to 7 a.m. Tuesday, when a cold front will finally move through. That front will lower the humidity levels, and while the severe threat is over, heavy rain is still possible.

It will still be humid out there very early Tuesday morning, but toward 8 to 10 a.m., the cold front should clear that up. The humidity levels will drop throughout the day, and it should turn out to be a fabulous Tuesday. The day should be dry with plenty of sunshine and a high of 84 degrees, about five degrees below normal.

Looking at the humidity levels these next few days, Tuesday and Wednesday should be comfortable. Our next chance for rain and storms comes on Thursday.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

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Heavy rain, powerful wind and lightning swept through the D.C. area Monday evening, leaving damage and power outages in their wake. Fallen trees blocked roads, and golf ball-sized hail clattered to the ground in both Maryland and Virginia.

“It’s like the Fourth of July with lightning strikes popping off in every direction,” NBC4 photographer Nick Leimbach said near Leesburg about 5:30 p.m.

Dominion Virginia reported more than 50,000 customers without power at one point Monday evening, although the number has been dropping since then.

Workers rushed home early Monday afternoon after a tornado watch was issued for the District and parts of Maryland and Virginia, as skies began to darken and winds picked up. The tornado watch ended at 9 p.m., and tornado warnings for several counties, including Fauquier, Loudoun and Spotsylvania, also have expired.

Several severe thunderstorm warnings also were issued for spots around the region. See all severe weather alerts here.

The storms were fast-moving, Storm Team4 Meteorologist Amelia Draper said. Although the rain was heavy, it moved through so quickly that flooding was not a huge concern, she said.

News4’s Darcy Spencer reported some standing water on some roads in Prince George’s County but said she hadn’t encountered any major flooding.

However, multiple trees and power lines came down around the region.

Multiple roads were closed in Brandywine, Maryland, due to fallen trees. One tree fell at the intersection of Forum Drive and Government Center Parkway in Fairfax County, and another was down in the street in the 24000 block of River Road in Montgomery County.

‘An Absolute Deluge Here’

At Interstate 66 and Route 15 in Haymarket, Northern Virginia Bureau Chief Julie Carey saw an intense downpour with thunder, lightning and high winds. She was set up at a Sheetz gas station full of people taking cover.

“The flags, the trees — they are whipping,” Carey said. “Just an absolute deluge here. We’ve seen a very dark front line come through. It’s almost like night before the sky opened up and it started to fall, pour.”

“It’s a little striking how many people are out in this,” Carey said about 5:30 p.m. “Unfortunately, a lot of people still on the road.”

The National Weather Service issued tornado watches up and down the East Coast, from Alabama to New York, officials said Monday afternoon.

Flights were routed around the storms as much as possible, the FAA said.

Federal Offices Closed Early; Concert at Nats Park Delayed for Hours

Ahead of the storms, forecasters had warned of a higher Severe Weather Outlook than we’d had in 10 years.

“You want to prepare for derecho-like damage,” Draper said, referring to the 2012 storm that brought 70 to 90 mph winds, ripped off roofs, destroyed cars, knocked out power, tore down thousands of trees and sent temperatures soaring to 100 degrees.

Government offices, as well as some colleges and schools, closed early as a precaution:

• The federal government closed all its offices in the D.C. area, including the Pentagon, telling employees to leave by 3 p.m.
• Loudoun County Public Schools closed all schools and facilities at 3:30 p.m. and canceled after-school activities.
• The University of Maryland College Park campus and George Mason University in Fairfax also closed early.
• So did all D.C. Public Library branches.

Virginia’s transportation department warned drivers to be especially careful on roads, including by obeying road closure signs, avoiding debris and never driving into high water.

At Nationals Park, gates opened at 4:30 p.m. for Monday night’s Pink concert, but guests were told to stay in the concourse until the storms passed. Photos showed scores of fans crowded together under cover and a sea of empty seats in the ballpark.

Concert goers waited more than three hours before skies cleared enough for them to be safely seated.

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It’s been a little more than a week since punishing storms on July 29 knocked out power for many residents and ripped huge trees from the ground.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

Secure lawn furniture or other items that might blow around in wind.

In case the power goes out, charge your devices ahead of time and consider filling a cooler with ice. Keep important items such as flashlights, water bottles and medication in easy-to-find spots.

Decide how you’ll receive emergency alerts, such as a tornado warning, and plan where you’ll go for safety.

If you hear thunder: Go inside. Ready.gov has more tips to help you stay safe from thunderstorms and lightning.

In a tornado: The safest places are a basement or storm cellar (or, of course, a safe room, if you have one). If you don’t have a basement, find a small, interior room on the lowest level, according to Ready.gov. Here’s more advice on tornado preparations.

Ready.gov also recommends that you save your phone calls for emergencies, as phone systems are often down or busy after severe storms or other disasters. Communicate with family and friends via text or social media instead.

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“We extend our sincere appreciation to the public for their patience and understanding during this closure period,” George Washington Memorial Parkway superintendent Charles Cuvelier said in a release.

Crews have been working to clear the fallen trees and hazardous limbs from on and near the roadway and the trails alongside the parkway.

“If there are not downed trees in those areas, blocking paths, there could be broken limbs that pose a risk to not only travelers but some of our people who enjoy our parks as well,” said Christopher Hershey of the National Park Service.

The National Park Service said it had to call in extra crews to help with the cleanup.

“Yesterday, crews removed 250-325 hazardous trees, resulting in 100 dump-truck and 15 chipper-truck loads, and more than 500 tons of wood and debris,” George Washington Memorial Parkway Superintendent Charles Cuvelier said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. 

Drivers are encouraged by NPS to use caution when driving in the three lanes of the north parkway rehabilitation project.

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The storm’s heavy winds brought down trees and power lines on Saturday across D.C., Maryland and Virginia. Crews have worked to fix infrastructure such as broken poles and transformers that need to be replaced as well as remove downed trees.

Portions of GW Parkway may be closed for three or four days, the National Park Service said at about midday Monday. Here’s what they said drivers will see:

• “The North Parkway, from Spout Run Parkway to I-495, remains closed, except for the northbound lanes from Route 123 to I-495
• The southbound lanes of the Spout Run Parkway are also closed”

Crews are working to clear fallen trees and hazardous, broken limbs from on and near the roadway.

“To enhance and expedite the restoration process, George Washington Memorial Parkway has deployed a total of five crews, including its own team, assistance from the National Capital Parks-East (NACE), and three additional emergency contracting crews,” the Park Service said in a statement.

In D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser and the emergency management director surveyed storm damage on Monday. Do not step on, drive over or move fallen power lines, the mayor said.

Virginia man killed by fallen tree

While most Northern Virginians wait for repairs to replaceable possessions, a Prince William County family lost one thing that can never be replaced.

Husband and father Allan Lee was killed when a massive tree came down on their Montclair home.

A tree removal crew knocked another large piece of tree onto their home Monday.

Neighbors have organized an online fundraiser to support the Lee family.

Power back for customers

“We have restored 90% so far who were impacted by the storm, but there still is a lot of significant amount of remaining customers,” Pepco Communications Manager Addie Kauzlarich said.

Pepco and Dominion Energy made major progress Monday night. Pepco has just 600 customers without power in Montgomery County and 900 in D.C.

Dominion Energy restored all power to customers in Arlington.

Kauzlarich told News4 the utility estimates that all service will be restored by 3 p.m. Tuesday.

At the height of the storm, about 30,000 Dominion Energy customers were left in the dark, spokesperson Peggy Fox said.

Arlington residents rallied around Toby’s Homemade Ice Cream & Coffee Shop in Westover, which lost power and was about to lose all of its product. They posted on social media asking the community to endure the powerless business so their powerless business could endure.

“Before you knew it, we were packed in here,” Toby Bantug said. “Line all the way around the back, looping out the front, out the door, and then a little bit up the block, and I was like, oh my gosh, this is insane.”

“That’s how Westover can really come together in times like that,” he said.

‘I started sobbing’

Trees fell on top of the Sower family’s home in the Foxhall-Palisades area of Northwest D.C. The trees punctured a hole in the roof and knocked down a chimney.

A second tree landed on top of the family’s car. The weight of a third tree snapped a power pole on the street in half.

The father and son were at home when the storm went through and the trees fell down. The father said it was scary, like the windows could shatter.

“It went into hurricane mode where, super scary, [it] felt like the windows might pop. And then we heard a loud kind of boom with the trees falling,” Clever Sower said. “And we actually saw this tree fall right into the living room on top of us, grabbed the kids’ and kind of ran into the back.”

“I had to park down there, and I didn’t even have a rain jacket. I’m just running through the rain, and I walked up to the house and I just — I’m not a crier and I started sobbing because our life was going to change a lot,” Emily Sower said.

In Rockville, strong winds ripped off part of a wall of The Original Pancake House. The restaurant was closed when the damage occurred. They were able to reopen early Sunday.

A playground in Rocky Run Park in Clarendon, Virginia, was closed Monday because of fallen tree limbs and scattered branches. Nearby, a car was crushed by a tree, and the wind knocked down a tree along with part of a sidewalk.

Arlington County Parks and Recreation said they have about 150 locations with storm damage.  

Stay with NBC Washington for more details on this developing story.

The northbound parkway remains closed from Spout Run Parkway to Interstate 495 except for the northbound lanes from Route 123 to I-495. The southbound lanes of the Spout Run Parkway are also closed.

Crews are working to clear fallen trees and hazardous, broken limbs from on and near the roadway. The trails alongside the parkway also needs to be cleaned up.

“If there are not downed trees in those areas, blocking paths, there could be broken limbs that pose a risk to not only travelers but some of our people who enjoy our parks as well,” said Christopher Hershey of the National Park Service.

The National Park Service said it had to call in extra crews to help with the cleanup.

Cars were diverted left off the parkway with orange cones at Spout Run Parkway during Monday morning’s commute.

NPS reported that numerous trees fell across the Clara Barton Parkway in Maryland.

Fallen trees remained strewn across roads in Northwest D.C. on Monday morning.

On Arizona Avenue off of Loughboro Road NW, a pole with power lines and a transformer was snapped in half. Loughboro Road was filled with downed power lines and tree branch debris.

A large tree with roots taller than a person laid across Massachusetts Avenue NW near Sheridan Circle.

D.C.’s Mayor Muriel Bowser said 311 has received more than 500 calls since Saturday asking for help with tree removal.

Drivers are advised to expect delays.

This is a developing story. Stay with News4 for more updates.

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The victim was 44-year-old Kenneth Allan Lee Jr. His wife says said he was showering in their Prince William County home when the tree fell at about 5:30 p.m on Saturday. He was a web designer with the Marine and Family Programs Division at Quantico.

Lee was a fantastic father and a wonderful husband who will be greatly missed, his wife said.

A tree removal crew knocked another large piece of tree onto the family’s home Monday.

Neighbors have organized an online fundraiser to support the Lee family.

Thousands remain without power and roads were closed Sunday after the storm.

The cold front that moved in Saturday to offer relief from three days of extreme heat and humidity interacted with that heat and humidity to create powerful storms that left more than 200,000 customers without power in D.C., Maryland and Virginia at one point.

A large tree fell on a car in the 2900 block of Foxhall Road NW in D.C., injuring two people. One is in serious condition, the other has minor injuries.

The collapsed treed smashed in a Mazda’s windshield and covered it with leaves and branches.

A neighbor said it was the worst storm he has seen in the area in 18 years.

“You can’t take 21st-century living for granted. I mean it’s, mother nature rules whether its sun, heat or snow,” the neighbor said. “And again, mother nature came through with a ferocious storm.”

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

The cold front that moved in Saturday to offer relief from three days of extreme heat and humidity interacted with that heat and humidity to create powerful storms that left more than 200,000 customers without power in D.C., Maryland and Virginia at one point.

As of about 8 a.m. Sunday, Pepco was reporting more than 17,000 customers were still without power. Dominion was reporting almost 30,000 customers still in the dark. BGE reported more than 10,000, SMECO reported more than 11,000, and MonPower reported about 200.

A spokesperson for Dominion Energy says the goal is to have power restored to the majority of customers in Northern Virginia by 11 p.m. on Sunday, but did admit that there may be some customers who might have to wait until Monday due to the sheer number of calls they’ve had to respond.

Downed trees cause damage across the region

There were numerous reports of fallen trees and branches. Several roads remained blocked by trees as of Sunday morning.

A Virginia man was killed when a tree crashed down on his home. The victim was 44-year-old Kenneth Allan Lee Jr. His wife says said he was showering in their Prince William County home when the tree fell at about 5:30 p.m on Saturday.

A tree fell on an apartment building in the 1200 block of Queen Street NE in D.C. Firefighters are checking for structural damage and evacuating residents. No injuries were reported.

Monday commuters may be affected by the damage. Many trees fell across the George Washington Memorial Parkway, the National Park Service said. It is closed from Spout Run Parkway to the Beltway as crews remove trees and will remain closed until an assessment is complete.

NPS also reported that numerous trees fell across the Clara Barton Parkway in Maryland.

In the 3200 block of Wisconsin Avenue NW, the roof of a 31-unit apartment building was torn off during the storms. Residents were evacuated, and no one was injured.

After the storms whipped through, the National Zoo announced it will be closed Sunday for clean up.

A video captured by Storm Team4’s Ryan Miller shows an electrical fire caused by downed tree limbs and power lines on Foxhall Road and Garfield Street NW. In the video, the lines can be heard buzzing as the fire burns above the street.

Storm damage recovery

The D.C. area began storm cleanup on Sunday with clear weather. Temperatures were cooler with highs only reaching the mid-80s and a steady drop in humidity during the afternoon.

People carefully moved around a tree that fell across a lane in the 3800 block of Wisconsin Avenue NW. Chainsaws whirred while people cleared fallen branches.

Nearby Annunciation Catholic Church continued services without electricity. One of its members said it was divine intervention that protected the church from falling tree limbs.

“That huge limb off of the tree could have landed on that beautiful church. And, I come here early Sunday mornings, I go ahead and get the church ready for mass, we have no electricity, we couldn’t make coffee, so we had to get coffee from another firm,” church member Joe Fiorillo said. “And people showed up, about the same amount of people that normally come to eight o’clock mass were here today.”

The D.C. Office of Unified Communications tweeted they had received more than 125 reports of downed trees as of 10:45 p.m. on Saturday.

DC Fire and EMS tweeted that they responded to 317 storm-related calls between 5 and 8:45 p.m. on Saturday.

Extreme storms on the East Coast followed a national heatwave that has swept from west to east in July. On Thursday, 60% of the U.S., or 200 million people, were placed under a heat advisory or flood warning or watch, according to the National Weather Service. 

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

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The heat index, or the “feels-like” temperature, is what it feels like to the body when humidity is combined with the heat.

The human body likes to stay at 98.6 degrees. Sometimes we get hotter internally, such as when we’re working out, spending time in the hot sun or have a fever. When the body gets too hot, it sweats. The sweat evaporates from us and takes away the extra heat with it. Evaporation is a cooling process. But on a humid day, sweat is not able to evaporate from the body efficiently, and the body can’t cool down as easily.

That is why meteorologists show the heat index along with the air temperature. It helps to tell the whole story.

The heat index is calculated by combining the air temperature with the relative humidity. You may not find the heat index on the thermometer, but it’s an important factor during the summer months.

Be sure to practice heat safety and listen to your local meteorologists to understand the risks and impacts of the summer heat.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

1. Records Within Reach Today
2. Fantastic Friday
3. Few Drops Saturday
4. Rain Likely Sunday, Monday

The very warm pattern that we’re in is showing no signs of breaking down any time soon. Sunny skies today will push temperatures to near records once again. The record at Reagan National is 91°. Dulles Airport’s record is 88°. If broken, this would be Dulles Airport’s third record this week!

Increasing clouds and a change in wind directions will keep Friday cooler than today, but near 80° is still more than 5° above average. The coolest days ahead will come over the weekend.

Weather radar:

Download the NBC Washington app on Apple and Android to use the weather radar on your mobile device.

Thick cloud cover and occasional rain showers will keep Saturday afternoon in the mid-60s. Rain totals on Saturday will be less than 0.10″. Sunday will be milder, with highs near 70°, with periods of rain and thunder even more likely than on Saturday. Local amounts of a half inch of rain are expected.

Those rain chances will last into Monday as afternoon highs get back near 80°. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of next week will feel like summer once again with chances for afternoon thunderstorms each day.

10-day forecast

Quickcast:

TODAY:
Mostly Sunny
Very Warm
Low Humidity
Chance Of Rain: 0%
Wind: West 5-10 mph
HIGHS: 84° – 90°

TONIGHT:
Passing Clouds, Mild
Some Fog, Rural Areas
Chance Of Rain: 0%
Wind: Variable 5 mph
LOWS: 58° – 64°

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FRIDAY:
Increasing Clouds
Dry Before Sunset
Late Evening Shower Possible
Wind: Southeast 10-15 mph
Chance Of Rain: 20%
HIGHS: 74° – 80°

SATURDAY:
Cloudy, Much Cooler
Occasional Showers, Breezy
Wind: Southeast 12-22 mph
Chance Of Rain: 60%
HIGHS: 60° – 66°

SUNDAY:
Mostly Cloudy
Rainy Periods
Scattered Thunderstorms
Wind: Southeast 10-20 mph
Chance Of Rain: 80%
HIGHS: 66° – 72°

Sunrise: 6:09 a.m. Sunset: 8:02 p.m.
Average High: 73° Average Low: 54°

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

Every summer, Doug takes his forecast on the road to several lucky viewers’ backyards.

We’re looking for locations where the neighborhood will come out and spend a beautiful sunny afternoon with Storm Team4.

Email us at isee@nbcwashington.com to tell us why Doug should come to your house and submit a picture of your backyard and we may come to you!

The haze is smoke from over 100 active wildfires burning in Alberta, Canada, in the last week. The fires have caused more than 24,000 people to be evacuated from the area, NBC News reported Saturday.

The Canadian wildfire smoke blew into the D.C. area on a northwest flow while suspended in the mid-levels of the atmosphere, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

More than 1,500 square miles of Alberta territory were on fire Wednesday, according to data from Esri Canada and Environment Canada, said Storm Team4 Meteorologist Ryan Miller.

“That amount of current fire activity is equivalent to 22 Washington, D.C.’s or 62% of the entire state of Delaware,” Miller tweeted.

The haze’s impact on air quality has not been reported. The D.C. area had a moderate air quality forecast on Thursday, meaning the air poses a moderate health risk for those who are unusually sensitive to pollution, according to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

Storm Team4 Meteorologist Chuck Bell shared that Thursday’s 6 a.m. sunrise was “very red” over D.C.

Later in the morning, Storm Team4 Chief Meteorologist Doug Kammerer shared a photo of a white sky around the Washington Monument.

A hazy glow was visible in the sunset Wednesday across the region, the NWS said.

The smoke could last as long as Friday but was expected to dissipate Thursday as winds blow south and southwest, according to NWS.

In March, a wildfire from North Carolina brought the smell of smoke to the D.C. area.

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A severe thunderstorm watch was in effect until 6 p.m. for Washington D.C. and surrounding suburbs in Maryland and Virginia, and Storm Team4 also declared a Weather Alert. A full list of weather alerts from the National Weather Service can be found here. No more severe weather is expected for the late evening.

A cold front moving into the area Saturday afternoon brought risk of severe storms, damaging winds gusts and hail in certain areas, according to Storm Team4. 

The first system of severe weather started coming into the region at around 2:45 p.m. A less severe line of storms will continue to regress to the east and reach the I-95 corridor around 7 p.m. or 7:30 p.m., Storm Team4 Chief Meteorologist Doug Kammerer projects.

The storm threats were strong wind, heavy rain with isolated flash flooding possible, lighting and a slight chance of spin-up tornado. Culpeper County saw downed tress and was under a tornado warning.

Saturday’s temperatures began in the high 70s ahead of the storm, about a 20 degree decrease from Friday’s record highs near the 90s.The temperatures warming for a longer period of time will help fuel the approaching storms.

Highs will be in the 60s starting Sunday, and will be well below average for next week.

Metro reminded customers not to run for a bus or train due to the slick conditions caused by rain.

Petworth Porchfest rescheduled its event from Saturday to April 29 due to the potential for thunderstorms.

The D.C. area has been in a dry period, and the storms will give the area much needed rain. After the storms, the area will remain dry until next Thursday, according to Storm Team4.

Here’s how the next few days are looking:

• Sunday: Sun and clouds, cooler. Breezy with a spotty shower. High of 67 degrees.
• Monday: Mostly sunny and cool. High of 63.
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny and cool. High of 64.

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Storms around the DMV started to wind down during the Thursday evening rush.

The temperature change the storm brought in its wake, on the other hand, is sticking around.

Storm Alerts

The D.C. metro area and surrounding locations were under a severe storm watch until 10 p.m.

But not everyone in the region got rain: The strongest storms rolled over the areas south and east of D.C.

A line of storms hit the Interstate 95 corridor during the evening rush.

The main threats with the storms were damaging wind gusts and heavy rain — and, in Charles County, Maryland, golf-ball sized hail.

Temperature Drop

While not everyone around the region saw that heavy rain, everyone will feel the temperature change.

After a record high temperature of 87 degrees on Wednesday, and temperatures in the 80s again on Thursday, temperatures plummeted about 20 degrees in two to three hours on Thursday evening.

The high of 86 degrees around 4 p.m. Thursday afternoon dipped into the 60s by 6:45 p.m. that same day.

Future Forecast

Bring a sweater if you head anywhere Friday or over the weekend as temperatures dip after the rain. And with a chance of frost and freeze in some places overnight, you’ll need a jacket for the evening, overnight and early morning hours.

Much of the region will struggle to make it out of the 50s on Friday, with plenty of clouds lingering.

Saturday will bring more clouds, and continued cool weather with highs in the 50s.

Sunday will warm slightly and see a return to sunshine, but temperatures will stay on the cool side in the low 60s.

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The storm system that impacted the Midwest and South of the United States brought to the D.C. area a high wind warning—last seen in April of 2021— that was in effect for most of the region until midnight.

Dominion Energy reported outages affecting 33,157 customers, and Pepco reported outages affecting 7,084 customers as of 11 p.m.

Some early Saturday events were canceled due to rain that totaled .25 inches in the morning, while evening events were postponed.

“After morning rain and clouds, here comes the sun! Into the mid-afternoon hours it’s looking nice and mild,” Storm Team4 Meteorologist Amelia Draper tweeted. “But by the later afternoon and evening hours, winds pick up with some wind damage likely later today.”

Impacted Events

The Cherry Blossom 5K canceled the children’s portion of the race. The adult 5K went on as planned despite the heavy rain early Saturday.

The Tidal Basin Welcome Area for the National Cherry Blossom Festival was canceled by the National Park Service. The cherry blossoms are nearing the end of peak bloom and the wind is expected to increase the amount of falling flowers.

“Due to forecast severe weather this afternoon, the Tidal Basin Welcome Area for the National Cherry Blossom Festival will close at noon today. Everyone, please stay safe!” @NationalMallNPS tweeted.

Bloomaroo at The Wharf was rescheduled from Saturday at 2 to 9 p.m. to the same time on Sunday. The event planned to have live music and a firework finale.

NOMA in Bloom was also rescheduled to Sunday, and Pink in the Park in Arlington, Virginia was postponed.

The Capitol City Little League Opening Day ceremony, which D.C. Mayor Murial Bowser planned to attend at 10 a.m., was canceled by inclement weather. The league’s afternoon games are expected to continue as scheduled.

“Opening Day ceremonies cancelled today due to weather, but stay tuned for a midseason celebration in May that will be bigger, better, and hopefully sunnier! Go Cap City!” Capitol City Little League posted on Facebook.

Despite the morning and evening weather, some events continued while sunshine came out in the afternoon. Here’s the Weekend Scene for a list of events still ongoing this weekend. 

Damaging Winds

After the rainy morning, sunshine and temperatures in the upper 70s were expected Saturday afternoon. Winds of up to 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph could be felt throughout the day, according to Storm Team4.

Winds picked up at around 6 p.m. with a storm or rain possible during the evening hours, according to Draper.

The winds knocked down power lines and branches blocked streets in Silver Spring Saturday. Branches also fell on a car and shattered the windshield.

A photo provided by the Prince George’s County Fire and Rescue showed that a tree fell on top of a home in Landover, Maryland. No one was inside when the tree fell.

Another tree fell across Klingle Road in Northwest D.C. and authorities had to cut it up so that cars could pass.

In Northern Virginia, a traffic light collapsed in Alexandria at the intersection of Holland Lane and Duke Street. The toppled over light blocked off part of the roadway causing police to redirect traffic.

Power outages continued in parts of Maryland and Northern Virginia Sunday morning.

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Several school districts announced they would open two hours late, including Culpeper, Fauquier, Manassas and Manassas Park schools. Here’s a full list of closures and delays.

The first measurable snowfall this winter came down for some areas overnight Wednesday, including at Dulles International Airport. The National Weather Service measured 0.4 inches of snow near Dulles.

Storm Team4 Meteorologist Chuck Bell estimates almost a half-inch of snow fell in some areas. But if you got a good night’s sleep, you may have missed it.

Snow was coming down in Upper Northwest D.C. when NBC4 went on air at 4 a.m.

Snow lovers should enjoy the white coating on grassy areas and cars while it lasts: Temperatures will climb above freezing, and the precipitation will be over by mid-morning. Frigid cold wintry temps are on tap later this week.

Around D.C., the snow isn’t expected to cause much trouble on the roads. Be cautious on overpasses and bridges which are more likely to freeze over. Montgomery County fire department spokesman Pete Piringer said roads were largely OK before sunrise, and the Virginia Department of Transportation said roads are mostly just wet.

Check out these images of snow in the D.C. area:

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A wintry mix is hitting areas such as Leesburg, Virginia and Frederick, Maryland. Storm Team4 radar indicated a few wet flakes or a little sleet falling near upper Northwest D.C.

Rain is the big weather headline in the metro area. Rain chances will continue until 7-8 p.m. Rainfall could be moderate to heavy at times. Precipitation may total a half-inch or more.

It’s too warm for snow in the D.C. metro area. Temperatures will be in the 40s throughout the day and even overnight.

Public schools are closed Wednesday in Berkeley and Jefferson counties, West Virginia, and Clarke, Frederick, Shenandoah and Warren counties plus Winchester, Virginia on Wednesday. Here’s a full list of school closures.

How Much Snow Could Fall in Maryland and Virginia?

Snow won’t add up to much — there’s less than a 20% chance for an inch of snow in the north and west suburbs of D.C. But roads may get slushy for a few hours. There may be some accumulation on grass, trees and rooftops.

Frederick, Maryland, Frederick, Virginia, and areas along the Interstate 81 corridor are under a winter weather advisory until 4 p.m. Wednesday. Storm Team4 says there’s about an 80% chance for an inch of snow or more in this area.

Even for those areas that do see some snow, the precipitation is forecast to shift to all rain early Wednesday afternoon.

What to Expect for Thursday and the Weekend

The wet weather system is coming in with mild air, so there’s no concern about wet roads freezing overnight.

Sunshine will return Thursday along with gusty winds, so it will feel quite cold even with highs in the mid- to upper 40s. Gusts could reach 30-40 mph.

A steady breeze will stick around Friday, but the weekend is looking nice by January standards. Saturday and Sunday will be milder with highs about 50°.

Some rain is possible late Sunday into early Monday, but it should be gone in time for the morning commute.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

Expect the D.C. area to be drenched by anywhere from 0.5″ to 1″ of rain, and as Storm Team4 Chief Meteorologist Doug Kammerer notes: “Wow, that’s a lot of rain in one day.”

Tuesday’s mild temps began to fall after sunset and will drop into the 30s by 9 to 11 p.m. Expect a dry overnight period

As of Tuesday evening, the storm that we’re watching is way down to the south and west right now, but it is really becoming a monster of a storm. While it will be a big snowmaker for Oklahoma and parts of Missouri, which are under winter storm warnings, that’s not what it’s going to bring us.

Instead, we’ll see rain, but Storm Team4 is not anticipating severe weather from this at all.

The storm will move closer to the D.C. area by early Wednesday morning. However, the metro area will remain 4 to 5 degrees above freezing Wednesday morning, and as the rain comes in, it will be close to 40 degrees, so the roads will be fine in the metro area.

Specifically, the area around the Capital Beltway east of Interstate 95 will get only rain. While you might see some snowflakes falling, nothing will stick to the ground.

However, areas north and west of the District will get some wet snow before it changes over to all rain.

In Virginia, those areas include Loudoun County, central northern Fauquier County, and parts of Virginia just east of Interstate 81. In Maryland, those areas include upper Montgomery County and Frederick County.

Areas beyond that will get some minor accumulating before the precipitation changes over to all rain by 1 p.m., if not earlier. For the most part, though, roads farther to the west of D.C. will likely just be wet as well, since surface temperatures will stay above freezing. Some accumulation is more likely on grass, trees and roofs, but any snow that falls during the morning hours will likely melt by the afternoon and evening as temperatures warm up again.

Behind this storm system, temps will definitely fall back onto the colder side. On Thursday, expect blustery winds gusts up to 35 or 40 mph.

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A winter storm that ushered freezing rain into the Washington, D.C., area early Thursday is shifting to all-rain.

Storm Team4 declared a weather alert for the ice and freezing rain, which slowed traffic. Loudoun County Public Schools closed. Many schools opened late, and the federal government announced a two-hour delay. Track all school closings and delays here.

The problematic precipitation is shifting to plain rain as temperatures warm up in the afternoon. Periods of heavy rainfall are likely all day Thursday.

Snowplows were on standby, ice was a big concern for areas north and west of D.C., and some icicles even formed — including on the NBC4 tower camera. But icy conditions are less of a concern as temperatures head toward highs in the mid- to upper 40s, and the rain will likely melt any icicles left behind.

Winter Weather Advisory Ends in DC Area

A winter weather advisory has concluded for areas including the District; Prince George’s and Montgomery counties in Maryland and Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties plus nearby cities in Northern Virginia, the National Weather Service says.

An ice storm warning is set until Thursday evening for areas near the I-81 corridor and along the Blue Ridge Mountains. Dangerous travel conditions, power outages and tree damage are likely due to ice, NWS said.

Winter Storm Timing

Freezing rain, especially west of D.C., persisted until temperatures ticked above the freezing mark. More than an inch of rain fell in the morning, and another inch or more is possible in the second half of the day.

Grab an umbrella and prepare for all-day rain, which could be moderate to heavy at times.

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The weather will improve by the weekend.

Temperatures will be warm enough Friday that ice won’t be a concern in the D.C. metro area.

Friday will be dry from start to finish with sunshine, then expect cool, dry weather for the weekend, Storm Team4 says. Here’s more on the 10-day forecast.

Commuter & School Impacts

Crews are out across D.C., Maryland and Virginia to treat roads.

“We are in emergency operations mode,” the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Shantee Felix said. “We are applying materials and trying to get ahead of the sleet and freezing rain and we’ll be continuing to work it throughout the day.”

Felix advised drivers to delay travel if possible. She said at about 6:35 a.m. that there were no significant areas of concern.

Bridges and overpasses are the areas of greater concern, as elevated areas are more likely to ice over.

Light RailLink trains will be operating at reduced speed, Maryland officials said.

Due to possible icy road conditions, Metro advised customers to prepare for Metrobus service impacts on Thursday.

Prince William County Schools will have a virtual learning day on Thursday. D.C. Public Schools, Alexandria, Arlington County and Montgomery County public schools are among those opening late. Here’s a full list.

To help a person in need of shelter in the District, call 202-399-7093 to request transportation.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

A winter storm will bring sleet, freezing rain and ice to parts of the Washington, D.C., area Thursday.

Storm Team4 declared a weather alert for overnight sleet that will turn into drenching rain throughout Thursday. West of D.C., along the Interstate 81 corridor, significant icing is possible.

Several schools districts will be closed or start classes late on Thursday. Prince William County will have a virtual learning day.

Track all school closings and delays here.

Expect a high-impact event Thursday morning with dangerous freezing rain to the west. Heavy rain will continue through the day past the evening rush hour to the east.

Precipitation will lower the temperature with temperatures approaching freezing to the north and west.

Crews in Virginia, Maryland and the District are treating the roads Wednesday, including by spreading brine on overpasses and bridges.

Winter Weather Advisory for D.C. Area

A winter weather advisory starts at 10 p.m. Wednesday and continues until 1 p.m. Thursday, the National Weather Service says.

Areas impacted include Washington, D.C.; Prince George’s and Montgomery counties in Maryland and Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties plus nearby cities in Northern Virginia.

If you have friends, family or business near Martinsburg, West Virginia; Cumberland, Maryland, or Winchester and Luray, Virginia, heads up that an ice storm warning will be in effect from Wednesday evening into Thursday. The National Weather Service says significant icing is expected.

“If you are under an ice storm warning you want to take it really seriously,” Storm Team4 Meteorologist Amelia Draper said.

Areas under an ice warning should plan for power outages, according to Draper.

The D.C. metro area will see a period of freezing rain and/or sleet Thursday morning, but that will be all rain by 9 or 10 a.m. Up to 2 inches of rain is possible. Prepare for a slow, rainy morning commute.

Montgomery County and areas to the west will deal with freezing rain and sleet with p two-tenths of an inch of ice. Roads will be slick and should be avoided Thursday morning. It should be just rain by midday or early afternoon.

In the mountains, up to a half inch of ice is possible and could cause power outages. Avoid traveling in the area Thursday.

To the south, expect just a rain event.

Commuter & School Impacts

Commuters will not be impacted by weather on the road Wednesday. That will change Thursday morning, when drivers are likely to see rain and ice.

Due to possible icy road conditions, Metro advised customer to prepare for Metrobus service impacts on Thursday.

“If you can delay or work from home tomorrow, that is going to be the way to go. The messiest of the weather falls tomorrow between 6, 9, 10 a.m.,” Draper said.

Delays are possible for more schools north and west of D.C., including Loudoun and Fauquier counties in Virginia and Montgomery and Frederick counties in Maryland. Some school day cancellations may be possible in the Shenandoah and Blue Ridge areas, Draper said.

Winter Storm Timing

For the D.C. metro and the northern and western suburbs, the most likely time for freezing rain or sleet will come from 2 a.m. through 8 a.m. Thursday.

As the center of the storm approaches, temperatures will climb. The I-95 corridor should be all rain after 9 a.m. and even the I-81 corridor should be above freezing by noon. Highs in the D.C. area will be in the 36° to 42° range.

A steady rain, moderate at times, will remain well into the late evening hours.

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Temperatures will remain near 40° overnight so travel issues will be limited to just wet pavement for the Friday morning commute.

All the rain will be over by noon on Friday and the area will stay dry throughout the upcoming weekend.

Winter Storm Impacts: Will There Be Snow?

Ice and freezing rain are the main concerns. Sorry, snow lovers, this storm won’t deliver a white Christmas.

Ice accumulations of up to one-tenth of an inch for the D.C. metro area will be possible and could cause slick spots on elevated or untreated surfaces like bridges and overpasses.

For all areas north and west of Dulles International Airport, plus the I-81 corridor, accumulations of ice up to a quarter inch will make travel difficult and dangerous from late Wednesday through about noon Thursday.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser replayed the District Snow Team to treat roads. The team has 30,000 pounds of salt, 86,000 gallons of brine, and 12,500 gallons of raw beet juice to apply, hoping to prevent ice from accumulating. Pet-friendly solutions are used on pedestrian bridges, the mayor’s office said in a press release.

“Residents and commercial property owners are also encouraged to apply abrasives such as rock salt, deicer, or non-clumping kitty litter to the sidewalks around their properties to reduce the possibility of icing and to prevent slips and falls,” the press release said.

To help a person in need of shelter in the District, call 202-399-7093 to request transportation.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

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So what will this winter be like? Here’s what I predict:

Factors for Predicting Snowfall

In making this year’s forecast, I once again looked to the oceans. I looked at the phase of the El Niño. This year we’re in a La Niña again. As a matter of fact, this is the third winter in a row for it.

I also look at the sea surface temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic. Once again, they are very warm for this time of year. That could mean more moisture, but will the cold be there to bring more snow? Or, will we see just plain rain?

I look toward the Pacific and the Gulf of Alaska. The sea surface temperatures there can help steer the jet stream, bringing us the cold air we need, but it could also keep us warm.

Additionally, I look to the snow cover over Siberia and North America. That too helps me forecast the amount of cold and snow we might see.

Looking at those factors, I think we will be wearing the rain coats and umbrellas a whole lot more than the winter coats and snow boots.

During La Niñas, our region tends to be warm and wet, not cold and white, and I see that again for this year. Looking back at the past, similar years have not had much snowfall at all. Those same years had bouts of heavy rain and with a warm Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic.

I expect storms that move in from the south will bring with them warmer air and more rain this winter.

Warmer Winter

Here’s the part I hate to even mention, but I know this will make some of you very happy: I am predicting one of the warmest winters ever! This winter could wind up in the top five warmest in our history and with warm temperatures come a lot less snowfall.

I am seeing very little chance of any good snowstorms. If we see a good storm, it will most likely come in January. That is the one month I think we see some good cold weather.

However, December will be above average and I think February and March will be extremely warm.

Snowfall Totals

As far as snowfall, I am predicting just 1-6 inches of snow for the entire D.C. area and I am leaning toward the lower side of that.

Yes, we will see a little more to the north and west, but I’m not expecting much at all for areas to the south and east.

This is one forecast I hope I get wrong!

The warning is for parts of D.C., Prince George’s County and Charles County in Maryland, and Arlington, Falls Church and Alexandria in Virginia, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

Temperatures are expected to be sub-freezing, in the 20s -30s. The cold may cause damage to crops, other vegetation and outdoor plumbing, the NWS said.

A full list of weather alerts from the National Weather Service can be found here.

“Temperatures could be dropping quickly below the freezing mark, due to the light winds and those cooler than average temperatures,” Storm Team4 Meteorologist Clay Anderson said.

To prepare for the cold, Anderson recommends outdoor plants be brought inside.

“This area here, could see temperatures 31, 32 degrees, and that’s why you want to bring those plants, or whatever you are trying to grow, outside, inside,” Anderson said.

D.C. has activated this season’s first hypothermia alert. It is set to begin at 6 p.m. tonight and will continue until conditions approve, according to a release from the D.C. Mayor‘s office.

The alert asks residents to help neighbors experiencing homelessness get out of the cold. Transporation to a shelter can be requested by calling 202-399-7093 or 311.

Last week, temperatures made some days feel more like the month of September. On Saturday, temperatures reached 70 degrees. On Sunday, temperatures cooled down to the 40s-50s.

A December feel is expected in the week ahead as daytime highs are expected to stay below 50 all week. Monday will be breezy and sunny with temps in the 40s-50s. A freeze could happen Monday evening into Tuesday morning as well.

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