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.

Rather than hunting last-minute online or frantically messaging your group chat for spare solar eclipse glasses, you can plan ahead for Monday, April 8, like a pro eclipse chaser.

What will the solar eclipse look like in D.C., Maryland and Virginia? The moon is expected to cover the sun at about 87% at maximum eclipse in the D.C. area at about 3:20 p.m. But without the special glasses, not much will be visible, according to Storm Team4 Meteorologist Amelia Draper.

“It’s not really going to change here; we could have some shadows. But for the most part, it’s going to be unnoticeable. That’s right, unnoticeable unless you have those special glasses,” Draper said.

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You could risk a severe eye injury if you view an eclipse without special glasses or a handheld solar viewer, according to NASA. The concentrated solar rays will be so strong that they can burn the inside of your eyeball, just like a sunburn an optometrist told CNBC. Ouch!

Be careful to avoid purchasing eclipse glasses online to avoid fakes and counterfeits. The American Astronomical Society maintains a list of reputable solar eclipse glasses that have UV-blocking filters. They advise against searching for the glasses on Amazon, eBay or Temu.

“Staring at a partial solar eclipse for more than a few seconds at a time, even through perfectly safe solar viewers, isn’t much fun anyway,” the American Astronomical Society said in a warning about counterfeit and fake eclipse glasses.

What about regular sunglasses? Safe solar glasses are “at least 1,000 times darker” than regular sunglasses, the society said.

It’s also recommended to wear eye protection for the entirety of a partial solar eclipse.

Here’s where to find solar eclipse glasses in D.C. Maryland and Virginia:

Where to find solar eclipse glasses in DC

DC Public Library: Starting April 1, D.C. residents can pick up eclipse glasses at their local library branch. The free eclipse glasses are available while supplies last until April 8. 

 “Get your solar shades on!” @dcpl wrote on X. 

National Air and Space Museum, National Mall: The museum will offer free eclipse glasses on the first floor left of the museum store until Sunday, April 7. Distribution times are noon to 4 p.m. Timed-entry tickets are required to enter the museum.

There will be no eclipse glass hoarding here. “One pair of glasses per family or individual,” according to the museum’s website. The museum’s store will also have eclipse glasses available for purchase.

Smithsonian Museums, National Mall: If free glasses run out, the following museums will have three pairs of solar eclipse glasses for $6: the National Museum of African Art, National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Museum of American History, National Museum of the American Indian, National Museum of Asian Art, National Museum of Natural History, National Postal Museum and Hirshhorn Museum.

The above map shows libraries participating in the Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries program that may have free eclipse glasses.

Where to find solar eclipse glasses in Virginia

Arlington County Central Library, Arlington: Pick up solar eclipse glasses during the “Solar Eclipse Extravaganza” on Saturday, April 6. Attendees will learn about NASA’s Eclipse Soundscapes and craft their own Eclipse Pinhole Viewer.

David M. Brown Planetarium, Arlington: Snag free eclipse glasses before “Lights Out! Eclipses: Whys, Wonders and Wows” on April 6 and 7. The kid-friendly show will explore the fascinating science stories and wonderous changes that occur during eclipses.

National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Chantilly: Between noon to 4 p.m., free solar eclipse glasses will be available across from the John F. Plueger Family Welcome Center. The museum’s store will also have them available for purchase.

Virginia State Parks, various locations: Solar-viewing glasses will be sold for $1 plus tax at all 42 state parks in the state.

Where to find solar eclipse glasses in Maryland

Warby Parker, various locations: The eyeglass store is helping customers see the solar eclipse by offering free and ISO-certified eclipse glasses at all stores. Find a location here.

College Park Aviation Museum: During the eclipse viewing event on Monday, the museum will hand out eclipse glasses as long as supplies last. The event and glasses are free.

Montgomery County Public Library: Several libraries will host events and give out free glasses. To find an eyewear giveaway near you, search “eclipse” then select relevant dates on the events calendar webpage.

Want to know what’s up for your weekend? Sign up for The Weekend Scene, our newsletter about events, experiences and adventures for you and for your family around the DMV.

More into DIY projects? Here’s how to make a box pinhole protector at home.

This article will be updated with additional places to find solar eclipse glasses.

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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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The cherry trees at the tidal basin have reached their puffy white stage.

“The blossoms are out, now we’re just waiting for them to open,” the National Park Service said Friday.

You can see the cherry blossoms on the Trust for the National Mall’s Bloom Cam.

It’s been just under two weeks since blossom watch began with the first stage on Saturday, March 2, when green buds appeared.

Warm temperatures helped push the cherry blossoms from their peduncle elongation stage to puffy white in about three days.

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Peak bloom is declared when 70% of the blossoms on the Tidal Basin’s cherry trees are open. If weather conditions are good, peak bloom can last as long as 10 days.

Peak bloom usually comes two to five days after puffy white begins, according to National Park Service data.

This weekend’s cooldown could slow down peak bloom – just like it did last year. But Storm Team4 Meteorologist Amelia Draper says it’s not supposed to get cold enough to harm many of the flowers.

Most blossoms can withstand temperatures as low as 27°, Draper said.

When will the cherry blossoms reach peak bloom?

Weather will determine the timeline for peak bloom.

Storm Team4 Meteorologist Doug Kammerer projected peak bloom will begin on March 24.

The National Park Service estimated projected peak bloom dates are March 23 to 26.

“Determining the dates for peak bloom is one of the great puzzles in the nation’s capital,” said Jeff Reinbold, the NPS’ superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks. “Emerging from the warmest January on record, this has been a particularly puzzling year to read the trees and establish a projected date for peak bloom.”

Due to the warmer-than-average temperatures, the trees never went fully dormant, which is what the NPS uses to calculate peak bloom. In addition, the NPS’ designated “indicator tree” has been showing several different bloom phases, reflecting the wide range of temperatures we’ve been getting.

“We’re seeing the effects of both warmer and highly variable temperatures on the trees,” Reinbold said.

The cherry trees that Japan gave to the United States more than 100 years ago draw visitors from around the world.

How does Storm Team4 predict peak bloom?

The cherry trees have to complete a long journey before peak bloom, and weather plays a huge role in how quickly the flowers grow.

Cherry blossoms bloom in stages: green bud, florets visible, extension of florets, peduncle elongation and puffy white all come before the full bloom.

Last year, D.C.’s famed trees had green buds as of Feb. 23, and peak bloom was declared on March 23.

While we were running a little behind schedule, warm temperatures helped the blossoms grow.

Last year, we reached peak bloom on March 23, which is still on the early side.

The most common time for peak bloom is between the last week of March and the first week of April, according to the NPS.

Sign up for The Weekend Scene newsletter for cherry blossom joy, fun things to do and D.C.-area culture every week.

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

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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As the National Park Service said: “It’s the #BloomWatch community’s favorite announcement: we have Peduncle Elongation – the 4th of 6 stages on the path to peak bloom.”

This means the blossoms are now two-thirds of the way toward peak bloom, just 10 days after they entered phase 1 on Saturday, March 2.

The next — and decidedly non-scientific-sounding — phase is called puffy white.

When will the cherry blossoms reach peak bloom?

Weather patterns give us clues about when the cherry blossoms will burst forth.

Storm Team4 Meteorologist Doug Kammerer projected peak bloom will begin on March 24.

The National Park Service estimated projected peak bloom dates are March 23 to 26.

However, we can’t help but notice that things are going VERY fast this year.

“Determining the dates for peak bloom is one of the great puzzles in the nation’s capital,” said Jeff Reinbold, the NPS’ superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks. “Emerging from the warmest January on record, this has been a particularly puzzling year to read the trees and establish a projected date for peak bloom.”

Due to the warmer-than-average temperatures, the trees never went fully dormant, which is what the NPS uses to calculate peak bloom. In addition, the NPS’ designated “indicator tree” has been showing several different bloom phases, reflecting the wide range of temperatures we’ve been getting.

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“We’re seeing the effects of both warmer and highly variable temperatures on the trees,” Reinbold said.

Peak bloom is declared when 70% of the blossoms on the Tidal Basin’s cherry trees are out. If weather conditions are good, peak bloom can last as long as 10 days.

The cherry trees that Japan gave to the United States more than 100 years ago draw visitors from around the world.

How does Storm Team4 predict peak bloom?

The cherry trees have to complete a long journey before peak bloom, and weather plays a huge role in how quickly the flowers grow.

Cherry blossoms bloom in stages: green bud, florets visible, extension of florets, peduncle elongation and puffy white all come before the full bloom.

Last year, D.C.’s famed trees had green buds as of Feb. 23, and peak bloom was declared on March 23.

While we were running a little behind schedule, Kammerer said, overall, expect a similar trend to last year.

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A post shared by NBC4 Washington (@nbcwashington)

“We’re going to be very warm in early March,” Kammerer said at the end of February. “So, we’ll get to the bud stage, and then we’ll get to the next stage fairly quickly.”

But a cooldown in mid-March could slow down peak bloom – just like it did last year. Keep an eye out for warm weather, too, which could rapidly push the blossoms into the next stage.

Last year, we reached peak bloom on March 23, which is still on the early side.

The most common time for peak bloom is between the last week of March and the first week of April, according to the NPS.

Sign up for The Weekend Scene newsletter for cherry blossom joy, fun things to do and D.C.-area culture every week.

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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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D.C.’s cherry trees along the Tidal Basin have reached florets extended, the NPS said Friday afternoon — the third of six stages as they move toward peak bloom later this month.

“Oh, we’re halfway there!” the NPS said in a statement on social media. “The cherry blossoms have reached florets extended, the 3rd of 6 stages.”

The blossoms reached stage one, green bud, less than a week ago on Saturday, March 2, and hit stage two, florets visible, on Tuesday.

The next stage is everyone’s favorite when it comes to joke material — peduncle elongation.

When will the cherry blossoms reach peak bloom?

Weather patterns give us clues about when the cherry blossoms will burst forth.

Storm Team4 Meteorologist Doug Kammerer projects peak bloom will begin on March 24.

The National Park Service says the projected peak bloom dates are March 23 to 26.

“Determining the dates for peak bloom is one of the great puzzles in the nation’s capital,” said Jeff Reinbold, the NPS’ superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks. “Emerging from the warmest January on record, this has been a particularly puzzling year to read the trees and establish a projected date for peak bloom.”

Due to the warmer-than-average temperatures, the trees never went fully dormant, which is what the NPS uses to calculate peak bloom. In addition, the NPS’ designated “indicator tree” has been showing several different bloom phases, reflecting the wide range of temperatures we’ve been getting.

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“We’re seeing the effects of both warmer and highly variable temperatures on the trees,” Reinbold said.

Peak bloom is declared when 70% of the blossoms on the Tidal Basin’s cherry trees are out. If weather conditions are good, peak bloom can last as long as 10 days.

The cherry trees that Japan gave to the United States more than 100 years ago draw visitors from around the world.

How does Storm Team4 predict peak bloom?

The cherry trees have to complete a long journey before peak bloom, and weather plays a huge role in how quickly the flowers grow.

Cherry blossoms bloom in stages: green bud, florets visible, extension of florets, peduncle elongation and puffy white all come before the full bloom.

Last year, D.C.’s famed trees had green buds as of Feb. 23, and peak bloom was called on March 23.

While we’re running a little behind schedule, Kammerer says, overall, expect a similar trend to last year.

“We’re going to be very warm in early March,” Kammerer said. “So, we’ll get to the bud stage, and then we’ll get to the next stage fairly quickly.”

But a cool-down in mid-March could slow down peak bloom – just like it did last year. Keep an eye out for warm weather, too, which could rapidly push the blossoms into the next stage.

Last year, we reached peak bloom on March 23, which is still on the early side.

The most common time for peak bloom is between the last week of March and the first week of April, according to the NPS.

Sign up for The Weekend Scene newsletter for cherry blossom joy, fun things to do and D.C.-area culture every week.

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

D.C.’s cherry trees along the Tidal Basin have reached florets visible, the National Park Service said Tuesday morning. This means the beloved trees have reached the second of six stages as they move toward peak bloom this month.

“The cherry blossoms have progressed to florets visible, the 2nd of 6 stages. Depending on the weather, peak bloom should be around 3 weeks away!” the Park Service said in a social media post.

The blossoms reached stage one, green bud, on Saturday, March 2.

When will the cherry blossoms reach peak bloom?

Weather patterns give us clues about when the cherry blossoms will burst forth.

Storm Team4 Meteorologist Doug Kammerer projects peak bloom will begin on March 24.

The National Park Service says the projected peak bloom dates are March 23 to 26.

“Determining the dates for peak bloom is one of the great puzzles in the nation’s capital,” said Jeff Reinbold, the NPS’ superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks. “Emerging from the warmest January on record, this has been a particularly puzzling year to read the trees and establish a projected date for peak bloom.”

Due to the warmer-than-average temperatures, the trees never went fully dormant, which is what the NPS uses to calculate peak bloom. In addition, the NPS’ designated “indicator tree” has been showing several different bloom phases, reflecting the wide range of temperatures we’ve been getting.

“We’re seeing the effects of both warmer and highly variable temperatures on the trees,” Reinbold said.

Peak bloom is declared when 70% of the blossoms on the Tidal Basin’s cherry trees are out. If weather conditions are good, peak bloom can last as long as 10 days.

The cherry trees that Japan gave to the United States more than 100 years ago draw visitors from around the world.

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How does Storm Team4 predict peak bloom?

The cherry trees have to complete a long journey before peak bloom, and weather plays a huge role in how quickly the flowers grow.

Cherry blossoms bloom in stages: green bud, florets visible, extension of florets, peduncle elongation and puffy white all come before the full bloom.

Last year, D.C.’s famed trees had green buds as of Feb. 23, and peak bloom was called on March 23.

While we’re running a little behind schedule, Kammerer says, overall, expect a similar trend to last year.

“We’re going to be very warm in early March,” Kammerer said. “So, we’ll get to the bud stage, and then we’ll get to the next stage fairly quickly.”

But a cool-down in mid-March could slow down peak bloom – just like it did last year. Keep an eye out for warm weather, too, which could rapidly push the blossoms into the next stage.

Last year, we reached peak bloom on March 23, which is still on the early side.

The most common time for peak bloom is between the last week of March and the first week of April, according to the NPS.

Sign up for The Weekend Scene newsletter for cherry blossom joy, fun things to do and D.C.-area culture every week.

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

D.C.’s cherry trees along the Tidal Basin have green buds, the National Park Service said Saturday morning. This means the beloved trees have reached the first of six stages as they move toward peak bloom this month.

“Small green buds are appearing on the Yoshino cherry trees, marking the 1st of 6 stages on the way to peak bloom,” the Park Service said in a social media post with a photo of raindrops on a branch.

When will the cherry blossoms reach peak bloom?

Weather patterns give us clues about when the cherry blossoms will burst forth.

Storm Team4 Meteorologist Doug Kammerer projects peak bloom will begin on March 24.

The National Park Service says the projected peak bloom dates are March 23 to 26.

“Determining the dates for peak bloom is one of the great puzzles in the nation’s capital,” said Jeff Reinbold, the NPS’ superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks. “Emerging from the warmest January on record, this has been a particularly puzzling year to read the trees and establish a projected date for peak bloom.”

Due to the warmer-than-average temperatures, the trees never went fully dormant, which is what the NPS uses to calculate peak bloom. In addition, the NPS’ designated “indicator tree” has been showing several different bloom phases, reflecting the wide range of temperatures we’ve been getting.

“We’re seeing the effects of both warmer and highly variable temperatures on the trees,” Reinbold said.

Peak bloom is declared when 70% of the blossoms on the Tidal Basin’s cherry trees are out. If weather conditions are good, peak bloom can last as long as 10 days.

The cherry trees that Japan gave to the United States more than 100 years ago draw visitors from around the world.

Cherry Blossoms Feb 29

When will DC's cherry blossoms reach peak bloom? Storm Team4 and National Park Service reveal predictions

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Cherry blossom events to celebrate until peak bloom arrives

National Cherry Blossom Festival Feb 29

It's almost cherry blossom season. Will Stumpy bloom again this year?

How does Storm Team4 predict peak bloom?

The cherry trees have to complete a long journey before peak bloom, and weather plays a huge role in how quickly the flowers grow.

Cherry blossoms bloom in stages: green bud, florets visible, extension of florets, peduncle elongation and puffy white all come before the full bloom.

Last year, D.C.’s famed trees had green buds as of Feb. 23, and peak bloom was called on March 23.

While we’re running a little behind schedule, Kammerer says, overall, expect a similar trend to last year.

“We’re going to be very warm in early March,” Kammerer said. “So, we’ll get to the bud stage, and then we’ll get to the next stage fairly quickly.”

But a cool-down in mid-March could slow down peak bloom – just like it did last year. Keep an eye out for warm weather, too, which could rapidly push the blossoms into the next stage.

Last year, we reached peak bloom on March 23, which is still on the early side.

The most common time for peak bloom is between the last week of March and the first week of April, according to the NPS.

Sign up for The Weekend Scene newsletter for cherry blossom joy, fun things to do and D.C.-area culture every week.

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

The cherry blossoms entered the first phase of their blooming cycle on the first weekend of March. Weather patterns give us clues about when flowers will burst forth.

Storm Team4 Meteorologist Doug Kammerer projects peak bloom will begin on March 24.

The National Park Service says the projected peak bloom dates are March 23 to 26.

“Determining the dates for peak bloom is one of the great puzzles in the nation’s capital,” said Jeff Reinbold, the NPS’ superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks. “Emerging from the warmest January on record, this has been a particularly puzzling year to read the trees and establish a projected date for peak bloom.”

Due to the warmer-than-average temperatures, the trees never went fully dormant, which is what the NPS uses to calculate peak bloom. In addition, the NPS’ designated “indicator tree” has been showing several different bloom phases, reflecting the wide range of temperatures we’ve been getting.

“We’re seeing the effects of both warmer and highly variable temperatures on the trees,” Reinbold said.

Peak bloom is declared when 70% of the blossoms on the Tidal Basin’s cherry trees are out. If weather conditions are good, peak bloom can last as long as 10 days.

The cherry trees that Japan gave to the United States more than 100 years ago draw visitors from around the world.

How does Storm Team4 predict peak bloom?

The cherry trees have to complete a long journey before peak bloom, and weather plays a huge role in how quickly the flowers grow.

Cherry blossoms bloom in stages: green bud, florets visible, extension of florets, peduncle elongation and puffy white all come before the full bloom.

Last year, D.C.’s famed trees had green beds as of Feb. 23, and peak bloom was called on March 23. But we don’t have those green buds yet for 2024.

While we’re running a little behind schedule, Kammerer says, overall, expect a similar trend to last year.

“We’re going to be very warm in early March,” Kammerer said. “So, we’ll get to the bud stage, and then we’ll get to the next stage fairly quickly.”

But a cool-down in mid-March could slow down peak bloom – just like it did last year. Keep an eye out for warm weather, too, which could rapidly push the blossoms into the next stage.

Last year, we reached peak bloom on March 23, which is still on the early side.

The most common time for peak bloom is between the last week of March and the first week of April, according to the NPS.

Sign up for The Weekend Scene newsletter for cherry blossom joy, fun things to do and D.C.-area culture every week.

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.

West Virginia Feb 16

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Things to Do DC Feb 15

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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.

The DC Snowball Fight Association has announced a second snowball fight in the District this week, set to take place in Franklin Square at 5 p.m.

The association posted a gleeful announcement on its Facebook page, reading:

“We have not done this since the original Snowmageddon of 2010! We are having two snowball fights in one week!”

The location for the fight was decided by a very close vote on Facebook and Instagram. Other possible locations included Lincoln Park and Malcolm X Park.

“This is the tightest lead since the 2000 elections, but there is a winner,” the association said.

If you want to participate in the snowball fight, the snowy soldiers are meeting “on the eastern side of the park (farther from the Metro, near the Franklin School & Immigrant Food),” the Facebook post read.

The association recommends using a Blue, Orange or Silver Line train to get to the McPherson Square stop, and then using the 14th Street exit.

On Tuesday morning, the association hosted a snowball fight on the National Mall. News4’s Joseph Olmo was there covering the revelry, but due to the relatively early hour — 8:30 a.m. — crowds were smaller than in previous years.

With Friday’s fight set for an evening hour when most DMV residents are wrapping up work, chances for a larger crowd are high.

On Tuesday, Michael Lipin, one of the association’s founding members, shared his best tip for fighters.

“You stay successful by continuously giving yourself ammunition,” Lipin said. “And just, you know, you’ve gotta have targets.”

winter weather Jan 19

How Friday's temps will affect the snow – and building snowpeople

winter weather Jan 16

DC delights in first snow of 2024 with sledding, National Mall snowball fight

National Mall Jan 3, 2022

Crowds Make Merry With Snowball Fight on National Mall

Here are some other tips, rules and guidelines shared by the association “for everyone’s safety and fun” on Friday:

• Anyone who participates in this event does so at his/her own risk.
• Please follow any instructions given by the National Park Police or Metropolitan Police Department. DCSFA will do so.
• Anyone who behaves recklessly is individually responsible for the consequences.
• DO NOT THROW ICE OR PELT VEHICLES! The nearby streets are very busy.
• Play safe, and by all means, HAVE FUN!
• Don’t bring guns or other non-snow weapons to a snowball fight
• Don’t attack small children/animals/reporters/police
• Do protect your eyes
• Do bring friends and good vibes
• Do stay at home if you’re afraid, injured, or are recovering from a medical condition
• Do dress appropriately for the weather and the activity

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.

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

The District has been celebrating closed schools and shuttered federal offices with gusto: Early Tuesday morning, members of the Washington D.C. Snowball Fight Association gathered for a snowball fight on the National Mall.

Clad in colorful coats, hats and gloves, dodging and weaving and yelling war cries into the soft white haze near the Capitol, the crew of fighters was small but mighty when the fight began around 8:30 a.m.

“You stay successful by continuously giving yourself ammunition,” said Michael Lipin, one of the association’s founding members. “And just, you know, you’ve gotta have targets.”

It may sound like a solid game plan, but as Lipin found out in the middle of an interview with News4, anything goes on the battlefield once the snow starts flying.

Lipin was in the middle of explaining how the association began in February of 2010, when more than 2,000 people showed up to Dupont Circle for a fight — when he was hit squarely above the left eye by a snowball.

“Apparently people don’t get tired of making these things and chucking them at strangers,” Lipin laughed.

And the enthusiasm showed.

“This is what life is all about, here,” said one woman participating in the snowball fight. “Being with people, making new friends, having fun with people we don’t even know.”

“It’s the coolest thing in the world,” said another participant.

When can I join the next D.C. snowball fight?

The D.C. Snowball Fight Association holds snowball fights every time it snows.

“If it’s only a couple inches, we’ll probably come [to the National Mall] because the snow’s nice and spread out on the grass, and there’s a lot of material to work with,” Lipin said.

“If it’s really big, we might go back to Dupont Circle Park where it all started.”

Sledding on Capitol Hill and around D.C.

D.C. congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton reminded residents around the District that sledding is allowed for all ages on Capitol Hill.

“As schools + federal gov offices close due to a rare DC snowfall, I reminded DC residents that my provision allows sledding on Capitol Hill,” Norton said in a statement on social media. “It’s the least we can do for DC residents who continue to be denied voting representation in Congress.”

Capitol Police confirmed that sledding is allowed. Norton noted the West Front of the Capitol as “one of the best hills in the city” in a statement on her website.

Other popular sledding destinations include:

• Shepherd Elementary Field, found behind the elementary school, has a relatively steep hill that families visit when it snows. Head to Jonquil St. NW and Kalmia Rd. NW between 14th Street and 16th Street.
• Fessenden St. NW and Belt Rd. NW, near Alice Deal Middle School, also has a large hill that families head to for sledding.
• The steps at Malcolm X Park, also known as Meridian Hill Park, make for excellent sledding if the District sees enough snow — but that may mean waiting until the next big snowstorm.
• Battery Kemble Park. According to a column by WTOP’s Mike McMearty, the park includes both “a kid’s hill” where children can go with their families for a safer, more conventional sledding experience, and a larger “iconic” hill with “numerous built-in risks: moguls, a tree in the middle of the hill, and a dangerous jump at the bottom.” Proceed with caution.

winter weather Jan 16

Snowfall totals map: How much snow did DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia get?

winter weather Jan 16

Photos: Winter storm covers DC area with snow

Storm Team4 Jan 15

Schools and federal offices closed in DC, Maryland and Virginia on Tuesday due to snowstorm

Parts of the region were under a winter storm warning until 10 a.m. Tuesday. A special weather statement remains in effect for a huge swath of the region from the Blue Ridge and Catoctin mountains to the Chesapeake Bay, warning of blustery winds and the chance for a bit of additional freezing drizzle. Go here for all weather alerts.

Most of Fairfax County, Virginia, clocked 3-4 inches of snow. One reading in Gaithersburg, Maryland, showed 3.9 inches. Howard County, Maryland, was a big winner with measurements over 5 inches, while Southern Maryland got less snow – about 2 inches.

Messy roads are the biggest concern, but plows are out, and crews pretreated roads in anticipation of the snowfall.

Storm Team4 Jan 15

Schools and federal offices closed in DC, Maryland and Virginia on Tuesday due to snowstorm

News4 Rundown Jan 15

Icy conditions cause trouble on the roads in the DMV: The News4 Rundown

“We have not dealt with this much snow in at least two years,” Storm Team4 Meteorologist Amelia Draper said. “It’s not just about the snow. There’s also the chance for some freezing rain … along and east of I-95.”

“If you can, you want to avoid travel,” Draper said. 

Most of the snowfall was over by 10 a.m., and bitter cold is moving in. Here’s the Storm Team4 forecast.

Travel conditions and impact

Closures

Many schools in D.C., Maryland and Virginia closed on Tuesday, and others opened late. See a full list here.

Federal offices in the D.C. area also were closed.

Metrorail, Metrobus and MetroAccess

Metrobus is operating under its Severe Snow Plan, with about 40 bus routes running. Service is limited to major roads, with additional snow detours possible based on road conditions.

Metrorail and MetroAccess are running regular service, although service may change based on weather conditions and staffing availability.

Commuters were advised to travel only if necessary and to expect delays. If snow is blocking curbs, riders should wait on sidewalks instead of in streets until the bus arrives.

Airport delays

More than 50 flights were canceled and nearly 100 were delayed out of Dulles International Airport, Reagan National Airport and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport by 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, according to FlightAware’s Misery Map.

Several passengers reported being stuck on the tarmac upon arrival Monday night at National Airport, including our Chief Meteorologist Doug Kammerer, who wasn’t able to make it to the station in time for the 11 p.m. news.

A Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) spokesperson said runways were kept clear by their snow team, but that the backup was due to an “airline congestion issue.”

Southwest Airlines said Reagan National saw delays and requested a “Ground Delay Program.”

“We were forced to divert flights to BWI and elsewhere, turn others back to their origination points because DCA was unable to accept them,” the spokesperson said.

News4 has not heard back from American Airlines. Other airports did not report similar delays.

Road conditions

Around 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, authorities were called to multiple reports of spinouts and crashes on Pleasant Valley Road in Chantilly, Virginia, right on the line between Fairfax and Loudoun counties. At least one person was taken to the hospital and Pleasant Valley Road is now blocked at Middlesex Drive because of extremely icy conditions. The crashes appeared to happen at a tight curve on Pleasant Valley.

On Monday, Maryland State Police said troopers responded to 125 crashes and 41 disabled vehicles, and answered 350 calls for service between 2 and 10 p.m.

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 were 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.

The GW Parkway between the Capital Beltway and Spout Run Parkway was shut down Monday because of poor road conditions, impacting travel not far from Reagan National Airport.

Future forecast

The fallen snow is here to stay for awhile, because things aren’t warming up. Temperatures are only in the mid-30s on Tuesday, with wind chills in the 20s. Wednesday is looking at a high of 30 degrees, with feels-like temperatures in the single digits in the early morning. 

Draper said the snow likely won’t melt until sometime next week. 

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

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.

Go here to see all school closings.

Storm Team4 has issued a Weather Alert ahead of a storm that’s expected to bring heavy rain, possible flooding and strong winds that could lead to power outages and felled trees in the DMV.

Storm Team4 1 hour ago

Storm Team4 Forecast: Record highs within reach ahead of weekend rain

Extreme Weather Jan 9

Record thunderstorm losses and deadly earthquakes cost $250 billion in damages in 2023, report says

In Maryland: 

• Anne Arundel County schools will dismiss two hours early.
• Calvert County schools will dismiss two hours early.
• Charles County schools will close two hours early.
• Frederick County (Maryland) schools will close three hours early.
• Howard County schools will dismiss three hours early.
• Montgomery County Public Schools will close 2 1/2 hours early on a code blue.
• Prince George’s County will dismiss students two hours early.
• St. Mary’s County’s schools will dismiss two hours early.

In Virginia:

• Culpeper County schools will be closed on Tuesday.
• Fauquier County elementary schools and Marshall Middle School will dismiss at 12 p.m. All secondary schools will dismiss at 11 a.m. 
• Frederick County (Virginia) schools will open two hours late.
• King George County schools will close two hours early.
• Orange County schools will be closed.
• Spotsylvania County schools will be closed.
• Stafford County schools will dismiss two hours early.

Most after-school activities in these school districts have been canceled.

School closure announcement timing frustrates some families

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) announced their schedule change at about 8:30 a.m., about an hour after Prince George’s County Public Schools. In Frederick County, Maryland, parents were emailed at about 8:55 a.m. about the three-hour-early closure. News4 heard from Montgomery County parents who were irritated that the district announced an early dismissal after some kids were already on buses or at school.

“Tens of thousands of families scrambling right now because you couldn’t make this call last night,” one person said to MCPS on X.

“Could’ve made this call last night when almost every other district in the region did,” another person said.

School administrators carefully consider all school closure decisions, MCPS spokesman Christopher Cram told News4, saying, “We have to take so much into consideration.”

“As important as safety is, we also have to make sure that our students have access to their educational programs,” he said.

“I’ve heard a lot of people talking about, ‘Schools closing? It’s just rain!’ Well, it’s not just rain, guys,” Storm Team4 Chief Meteorologist Doug Kammerer said. “It’s really the wind that’s going to be the factor, especially east of I-95. Winds gusting upwards of 50 to 60 mph at times. I expect to see a lot of trees down during the day tomorrow as a result of all the rain we’ve seen over the past five or six weeks.”

About 10 inches of rain have fallen in that time, Kammerer said.

What to know about Tuesday’s forecast

Tuesday’s storm is expected to dump another 1 to 3 inches of rain. A flood watch has been issued across the region. Wind advisories or high wind warnings are in effect. Here’s a full list of weather alerts.

The direction of the wind could intensify the effects of the storm, and coastal flooding is likely, Storm Team4 says.

To date, this winter is the second wettest on record in the D.C. area. Tuesday’s rainfall could push us up to first place.

Tuesday’s storm and another expected to arrive on Friday are energized by the exceptionally strong El Niño and will cause major impacts for almost all of the lower 48 states.

See a full forecast here.

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.

In Leesburg, all of the Virginia Department of Transportation’s preparation kept the roads passable, even when the temperatures dipped below freezing. By noon on Saturday, light, wet snow had started to fall. Places toward the west like Winchester got a bit more, but treated roads were fine.

And if you were really into snow, you did have to travel a bit to get some. About halfway between Leesburg and Winchester, at the foot of the aptly named Mount Weather in Bluemont, there was just enough snow to make things postcard picturesque. 

Weather Alert Jan 6

Snow to the west, rain to the east as first storm of 2024 hits DC area

Storm Team4 1 hour ago

Storm Team4 Forecast: Record highs within reach ahead of weekend rain

“I’ve been wanting to go over Mount Weather for a little while, and I just got impatient,” cyclist Alex Scheets said. 

So he asked good friend Brian Garcia to come along.

“I was like, you wanna do this with me? And he was like, ‘I’ll do it! I’m down! Let’s go!’” Scheets said. “That’s kind of what I had in mind when I was picturing the ride. In my head I was like, I want it to be snowing like this.”

Though they were fully aware of the forecast and didn’t let it stop them, by the time they ridden 23.5 miles to the front porch of the Bluemont Welcome Center, they’d seen enough. 

“Turning around and going back we’ll have to do the same distance, so we got our distance in. I think for safety’s sake we’re gonna avoid going any higher in elevation,” Sheets said. 

Early on, there wasn’t enough snow to shovel, and what was on cars the wipers could handle. So snow-lovers in the DMV will have to wait, like the cyclists headed back the way they came will have to wait to go higher up the mountain.

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

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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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Storm Team4's winter weather outlook

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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.

The D.C. government issued its first hypothermia alert of the season on Nov. 2, 2023.

D.C.’s Department of Human Services says it will activate a hypothermia alert when the National Weather Service forecasts that temperatures, including wind chill, “will be 32° F or below; or, when the temperature is forecasted to be 40° F or below, and the forecasted chance of precipitation is fifty percent or greater.”

The conditions are dangerous for the elderly and those experiencing homelessness.

If anyone in the region is unhoused or for other reasons needs shelter when it gets too cold outside, there are many resources available in D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

“It’s crucial that people know that there is a safe, welcoming place that they can come inside,” Laura Zeilinger, the director of D.C.’s Department of Human Services, said.

For those in need, use the resources below:

D.C. cold weather resources

“During hypothermia season, the Shelter Hotline and transportation to a shelter are available to residents 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,” the D.C. Department of Human Services said.

• Call 202-399-7093 or 311 for on-demand transportation to shelters.
• If someone is at immediate risk, call 911
• Families experiencing homelessness can contact the shelter hotline or visit the Virginia Williams Family Resource Center at 920-A Rhode Island Ave NE.
• Sign up for free email and text alerts with AlertDC or follow AlertDC on X to get notified of hypothermia alerts
• A map of low-barrier shelters is available here.

Maryland cold weather resources

Frederick, Maryland

• Heartly House emergency shelter hotline for Frederick County (open 24 hours): 301-662-8800

• Frederick non-emergency police number: 301-600-2100

Montgomery County

• 24-hour Homeless Information Line: 240-907-2688
• Crisis Center (open 24 hours): 240-777-4000
• Police non-emergency line: 301-279-8000
• For more information, visit Montgomery County police’s website

Prince George’s County

• Non-emergency police: 301-352-1200
• Emergency Shelter Services/Homeless Hotline: 888-731- 0999
• Sign up for public safety alerts here

Virginia cold weather resources

Fairfax County

• Non-emergency police line: 703-691-2131
• For a list of shelters and more information on the Hypothermia Prevention Program, visit this website

Prince William County

Both of the city’s hypothermia shelters will be available from Nov. 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024. They can serve up to 22 people on a first-come, first-serve basis.

• StreetLight Ministries serves eastern Prince William County. Email thermalshelter@thestreetlight.org or call 703-227-7140. Operating hours are Monday to Sunday, 6 p.m. to 8 a.m.
• Manassas Baptist Church serves western Prince William County. Their phone number is 571-277-0728. Operating hours daily are 7 p.m. to 6:15 a.m., except Wednesdays (8:30 p.m. to 6:15 a.m.)
• For more information, visit their website

Alexandria

• The Winter Shelter: 703-477-5773
• Non-emergency police line: 703-746-4444
• For more information, visit their website

Arlington County

• Non-emergency police number: 703-558-2222
• Shelters outside of business hours: 703-228-1010
• PathForward Shelter Program: 703-228-7803
• New Hope Housing: 703-228-0022
• For more information, visit their website.

Falls Church

• Falls Church Emergency Winter Shelter: 703-854-1400
• Non-emergency: 703-248-5053
• For more information, visit their website

Loudoun County

• Loudoun County Hypothermia Prevention Shelter: 703-777-0420
• Non-emergency: 703-777-1021
• For more information, visit their website

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.

The central location of the D.C. Public Library system posted about the free blankets on Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter) Tuesday, a day when morning wind chills were in the mid 20s and evening wind gusts knocked down the National Christmas tree outside the White House. A cold weather emergency was in effect due to the extremely cold temperatures.

“Blankets available here,” the sign at the library announced, along with an image of a red cozy-looking throw. An image of Martin Luther King Jr. looks on protectively from the mural in the library.

The MLK Library is located at 901 G St. NW in the Penn Quarter area.

The blankets are free and can be requested at the front desk “as available.” This note sparked social media users to ask how they could donate extra blankets to the library or even share the idea with other libraries.

“Ok but like how can we send you more blankets?” one X user commented.

Another wrote: “@DunwLibr is this something you offer/have thought about offering as the weather gets worse? Thx.”

The library receives blankets from a D.C. Department of Human Services (DHS) initiative, a representative of the D.C. Public Library told News4. The DHS has distributed blankets to individuals experiencing homelessness for years, they said.

The D.C. Public Library system also encouraged people to check on unsheltered neighbors, seniors and other vulnerable people, and to call the shelter hotline at 202-399-7093 or 311 if someone needs help.

D.C.’s cold weather emergency plan goes into effect when freezing temperatures are dangerous for residents, especially those outdoors or unsheltered. It is activated when wind chills are 15° or below, or if there is a wind chill of 20° along with snow.

Here are additional cold weather safety precautions from D.C.:

• Stay inside if you can. 
• Cover up and limit exposed skin when you go outside. 
• Check on your neighbors and learn the signs of hypothermia. Young children, seniors, and those with access and functional needs are the most vulnerable in our community.
• For all animal emergencies, including animals left outside in extreme temperatures, call the Humane Rescue Alliance at 202-723-5730. 

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Storm Team4's winter weather outlook

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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.

So, cue the apple picking, pumpkin carving and getting lost in corn mazes, as autumn symbolizes abundance and gratitude. Something new to add to the joy of the season: stargazing, especially as the days continue to get shorter.

New seasons mean new sights high above us, like the full moon coming up on Oct. 28. These sights can enhance the experience of the night sky, but the visibility is dependent on light pollution and cloud cover.

We talked to two experts — Guy Brandenburg, president and longtime member of the National Capital Astronomers, and Kim Arcand, a visualization scientist and co-curator of “Lights Out: Recovering Our Night Sky” at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History — to get tips on stargazing in the D.C. area.

Can you actually see anything in the night sky in DC?

As Arcand notes, no matter where you are in the world, something should be visible.

“Even in a very deep urban center, you’ve got the moon. And the moon is personally one of my favorite objects,” she said.

When you look at a map of D.C. on Dark Site Finder, you’ll see the city is categorized as having the highest level of light pollution. This site uses 15 colors to depict the different levels of light pollution, with white as the brightest and black as the darkest (See how the site’s color scale works.) The light gets dimmer the farther away you get from the Beltway, Brandenburg notes. So the farther out you go, the more you’ll see.

Keep in mind: Cloud cover and dust in the air from wildfires can also impact visibility when stargazing. See the air quality here.

Get outside and attend a stargazing event

How do you stargaze in D.C.? You may want to go up on an apartment building rooftop or out to a spot without much upward obstruction, such as the National Mall. Arcand says the National Mall is actually a great place to observe the planets — plus it’s home to the National Air and Space Museum.

“We all have the right to be able to enjoy those views, and to be able to participate in what our universe has to offer, and there are some lovely public observatories around us,” Arcand said.

The National Air and Space Museum often hosts astronomy events, including Observe the Sun (with filtered telescopes); “The Sky Tonight,” s planetarium show; and it annual Solstice Saturday in June. However, the museum’s Phoebe Waterman Haas Public Observatory is currently closed for renovations.

The museum’s Virginia outpost, the Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, also offers astronomy programs, including stargazing events. Equipment is provided, and experienced members of the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club (NOVAC) and museum staff help visitors observe the sky.

In D.C.’s Rock Creek Park, the Exploring the Sky event has been welcoming amateur astronomers for 75 years. The event is coordinated by the National Park Service and the National Capital Astronomers (NCA).

If you attend, visit the planetarium at the nature center for a preview of what may be visible that evening. Afterwards, walk to the Military Meadow to join NCA members observing the sky with their telescopes.

Start with the moon and planets

The moon is a great place for beginners to start, Arcand say. Add “full,” “super,” “strawberry,” “harvest,” or even “blood” in front, and you’ve got a reason to stargaze.

The most recent events were late September’s harvest moon, and a pair of supermoons in August. A supermoon is when the moon is at its closest to Earth while it’s full. August had a rare blue moon — that’s when a second full moon happens in the same month. D.C. had a view of the total lunar eclipse in November 2022, the last until 2025.

You can join the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center for moongazing in October, and take a look at NASA’s Daily Moon Guide.

Once you tackle the moon, look for nearby planets as well. The way to tell a star from a planet is the “twinkle,” or lack of one — stars twinkle, but planets don’t, Arcand said. At certain times of the year in areas with light pollution, Venus, which is a bright planet, can often be mistaken for a star, she said.

“Venus is going to be a lovely example for many people, regardless of where you are situated for much of the year,” she said. You can also see “Jupiter, Mars, when it’s nearby, and sometimes even Saturn, depending on your light pollution level.”

Check it out: Storm Team4 Meteorologist Chuck Bell once spotted Venus and a waning moon above D.C.

Consider the season

Stargazing is a year-round activity, but you’ll need to pay attention to the forecast and when star events will occur (see below for where to find what’s visible in the sky.)

Fall may have the autumnal equinox and the harvest moon, but winter is the best season for stargazing, both Arcand and Brandenburg say. Just remember to bundle up for the cold temperatures.

“Things tend to be a little drier, you can get out a little earlier and the winter just adds a little bit of a clarity to the atmosphere that makes, to me, the night sky viewing a little sharper and a little brighter,” Arcand said.

If you stay up all night long in the winter, Brandenburg said, you will be rewarded with the “remarkable” view of the sky appearing to rotate around the north star. According to NASA, the north star, or Polaris, marks the geographic north and sits close to Earth’s North Pole. It’s not too hard to spot from a city and can help people orient their directions.

In January, Brandenburg often spots the Belt of Orion and the Big Dipper, two easily recognizable asterisms. An asterism is a prominent or familiar pattern of stars. They are often smaller than, or within, a constellation.

In the warmer months, Brandenburg likes to gaze at the moon and the summer triangle, an asterism made of the stars Vega, Altair and Deneb. He said these three bright stars are very obvious on summer nights in the area.

Heading into the summer, the days get longer. Some people in the area celebrate the summer solstice, which marks the astronomical first day of summer. Since the days are extra-long, Arcand recommends gazing at the stars closer to midnight for a better view of the night sky in the warmest months.

Do you need to use a telescope?

You won’t be able to see any galaxies with the naked eye while stargazing in D.C., Brandenburg said. With a regular telescope, he said more objects will be visible but will still be a challenge to view.

To get around this, Brandenburg said some members of the NCA stargaze with an eVscope, a telescope that uses magnification and image processing to provide a nearly real-time look at nebulae and galaxies. This modern telescope works better in urban areas such as D.C., because it was created to cut through light pollution, according to reviews.

If you’re interested in creating your own telescope, Brandenburg leads NCA’s telescope-making workshop.

Use technology

Knowing when and where to find planets and stars can be tricky. Newsletters, free star/planet finder apps and websites can help.

Brandenburg recommends the website What’s Out Tonight, which offers a sky chart, teaches users about the brightest stars and lists the best viewing times. Arcand recommends the websites Time and Date, Astronomy.com and EarthSky. They share info on what’s visible in the sky, upcoming celestial events and informative newsletters.

The National Capital Astronomers (NCA) have a newsletter called Star Dust that shares astronomy news, upcoming events and what planets and/or stars can be viewed in the coming month in the D.C. area.

Be sure to check your phone’s app store for handy stargazing apps, such as SkyView (App Store | Google Play) or Planets (App Store | Google Play). SkyView uses your camera and location to help you find nearby stars and constellations. Planets lets you aim your phone anywhere you want to show you a 360-degree view of planets and constellations around your location. Here’s where to find more stargazing apps.

Visit a dark sky site

From meteor showers to asteroids, there are many celestial events that dazzle above D.C. but can’t be seen because of light pollution. If you’re ready to see the night sky in all its glory, venture to one of the dark sky sites nearby. The magnificence of the Milky Way will make the trip worth it.

“There are a couple of really lovely parks not that far outside of the D.C. area where you could get a glimpse of that richer detailed view of your own night sky,” Arcand said.

About an hour from D.C., you’ll find Sky Meadows State Park in Delaplane, Virginia. The park — which became an International Dark Sky Park in 2021 — hosts a monthly Astronomy for Everyone event. The 1,860-acre park’s “unique, shielded landscape gives visitors the opportunity to view the stars away from higher levels of light pollution,” according to a Facebook post.

Other Virginia state parks celebrate Dark Sky Week each year in April and also offer astronomy events such as a Harvest Moon hike and self-guided Dark Sky Nights.

“To get to anything like what you would think of as a dark sky, like you would see in a desert someplace without lights nearby, you have to go a long way, you have to go into West Virginia or northern Pennsylvania,” Brandenburg said.

About four hours from D.C. is Seneca State Forest, West Virginia, is known for the Thorny Mountain Fire Tower which brings visitors high above the woodlands for unparalleled views of the night sky. Go a little farther way from light pollution to the state’s International Dark Sky Park sites:

• Watoga State Park
• Calvin Price State Forest
• Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park

“It really inspires you with awe, at least me; it’s so beautiful,” Brandenburg said about stargazing.

Learn about light pollution

Light pollution is when artificial light on the ground clouds up the sky and blocks the view of stars, according to Arcand.

During the many centuries before the invention of artificial light, humans were used to having dark skies filled with stars, she said. Now, about a third of the world’s population cannot see the Milky Way, according to the website Lights Out: Recovering our Night Sky.

She said it is worth considering whether light pollution disconnects us from a part of our culture or our creative brains. If art, like The Starry Night painting by Vincent Van Gogh, would exist if there had been light pollution in the 1800s.

“We’ve had thinkers and artists, scientists, and just everyday people being able to depend on the night sky, either for navigation across seas, for being able to light the way at night by the light of a full moon, or just being able to inspire them,” she said.

Did you know? Georgetown University is home to the third-oldest observatory in the U.S. The Heyden Observatory was built in 1844 and closed in 1971 due to light pollution.

Light pollution negatively impacts wildlife and disrupts the flight patterns of many birds. Lights Out D.C., a volunteer group featured in the Smithsonian’s Sidedoor podcast, said they collect hundreds of dead birds that fly into office buildings during the migration season.

“It’s really a problem for not just us astronomers being selfish because we like to see the stars, but every living creature that includes plants, as well as animals, is profoundly affected by light,” Brandenburg said.

Visitors can explore the potential downsides of light pollution and how much light humans need at the Lights Out: Recovering our Night Sky. exhibit until Dec. 2025.

A quick guidebook for stargazing in the DC area:

Clubs:

• National Capital Astronomers
• Northern Virginia Astronomy Club (NOVAC)
• Astronomical Society of Greenbelt

Places:

• Rock Creek Park, Washington D.C., Exploring the Sky
• The National Mall, Washington D.C., Solstice Saturday
• Fairfax County Parks, various events
• National Air and Space Museum, Washington, D.C. various events
• Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Chantilly, Virginia, various events
• Seneca State Forest, West Virginia
• Sky Meadows State Park, Delaplane, Virginia

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Planetariums:

• Rock Creek Park Planetarium, Washington, D.C.
• David M. Brown Planetarium, Arlington, Virginia
• Air and Space Museum Planetarium, Washington, D.C.

Observatories:

• George Mason University Observatory, Fairfax, Virginia
• Greenbelt Observatory, Greenbelt, Maryland
• Several observatories in the D.C. area are temporarily closed to the public.

Exhibits:

• Goddard Visitor Center exhibits, Greenbelt, Maryland
• Lights Out: Recovering Our Night Sky., Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C.
• ARTECHOUSE’s “Beyond the Light,” Washington, D.C.

Do you see something that should be in this guide? Email tips@nbcwashington.com and/or share your stargazing photos at #4theScene.

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Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin both declared states of emergency for their states on Friday ahead of the extreme weather. The move allowed state officials to mobilize crews and equipment.

Storm Team4 was in Weather Alert mode, keeping an eye on the storm’s movements after steady rain began falling in D.C. Friday night.

A number of tropical storm warnings were in effect on Saturday. Coastal flood advisories are in effect through Sunday evening. Go here for the full list.

Power outages and downed trees

In Montgomery County, downed wires closed Twinbrook Parkway between Meadow Hall Drive and McAuliffe Drive, the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) said. Drivers were asked to seek an alternate route and expect significant delays.

A large tree also fell in the 500 block of East Wayne Avenue near Garland Avenue in Silver Spring, damaging wires and a transformer.

And one person was taken to the hospital with minor injuries after an SUV hit a Metrobus on University Boulevard, according to the fire department. MCFRS said weather was likely a factor in the crash, but did not immediately provide more details.

In Northwest D.C., a tree fell into a home in the 3500 block of Overlook Lane NW. Two residents were accounted for and uninjured, but the tree did cause damage to the second floor.

As Ophelia continued through Maryland on Sunday, BGE reported at 1 p.m. it had restored power to over 23,800 customers and had 1,135 customers without power.

Flooding around the DMV

For areas that get coastal and tidal flooding — like those along the Potomac River, Old Town Alexandria and the Georgetown waterfront — Ophelia was expected to be a severe storm. Georgetown’s flood wall was raised Friday in anticipation.

Along Rhode Island Avenue NE, near the location where 10 dogs perished in severe flooding at a dog day care, sand bags were placed along the sidewalk. The newly finished Northeast Boundary Tunnel was also expected to alleviate flooding in the area.

“The tunnel has functioned as expected, collecting millions of gallons of stormwater and sewage and conveying the flow to the Blue Plains plant for treatment. The Northeast Boundary Tunnel (NEBT) completes the Anacostia River Tunnel System which now captures the majority of combined sewage that previously would have overflowed to the Anacostia River. The NEBT also helps reduce the risk of flooding in many neighborhoods,” a DC Water spokesperson said.

Rain helps drought conditions

Saturday’s storm system brought needed rainfall to drought conditions west of D.C. and in the Shenandoah Valley, Storm Team4 Meteorologist Ryan Miller said.

A few areas east of Washington received over 3″ of rain while much of Northern Virginia had between 1″ to 2″. Rain totals were 2.99″ at North Beach in Calvert County, 2.49″ at Andrews Air Force Base, 1.73″ at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, 1.62″ at Manassas and 1.47″ at Dulles.

Showers continued Sunday as the storm moved through the region. As it headed toward the northeast the steady rain pulled away. Lingering showers were possible through the afternoon with conditions expected to dry out overnight.

Canceled events

A number of events in D.C., Maryland and Virginia were canceled or rescheduled due to the expected heavy rain, wind and possibility for flooding on Saturday:

• The Occoquan Fall 2023 Arts and Crafts Show was canceled for both Saturday and Sunday.
• The 10th annual Friendship Picnic in Montgomery County, Maryland was canceled on Sunday.
• The Anacostia River Splash was canceled.
• The Fairfax Fiesta was canceled.
• Alexandria City Public Schools canceled all Saturday activities at its facilities.
• The Falls Church Festival is rescheduled to Sunday.
• The Washington Nationals postponed Saturday’s 1:05 p.m. game until 6:35 p.m. Sunday. Sunday’s game scheduled for 1:35 p.m. is expected to go on as planned.

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 town of Front Royal has been hit especially hard, since its entire water supply comes from the Shenandoah River. The town has been forced to put emergency water conservation rules into effect. As lawns turn brown and flowers wither in their pots, streams and creeks are flowing at a trickle — in some cases drying up altogether.

The Shenandoah River is so low that people could stand in the middle of it while fishing.

A brief thunderstorm Thursday was not nearly enough to replenish the water supply.

“It’s the first time in over 100 years that we’ve been in this extreme drought condition, and so we issued on Tuesday an emergency water conservation effort,” Front Royal Town Manager Joe Waltz said.

All outdoor water use is barred, and the town’s light posts are bare after flower baskets had to be removed.

The outdoor adventure companies along the Shenandoah are also feeling the impact. At Front Royal Outdoors, fall bookings are down 50%.

“When July hit, the bottom dropped out, and a couple of weekends ago was the lowest I’ve ever seen the river,” Front Royal Outdoors owner Don Roberts said.

But, as the view from the parking lot showed, there is still enough water in many spots to float and paddle. Roberts says he’s making sure customers know the experience will be a bit different.

“We really have to try to educate the people that do come out, as to the fact it is very low,” he said. “You will be getting in and out of your boats and walking in the river.”

Front Royal residents have been warned to expect at least another month with some sort of water restrictions. Violations of the water rules could bring fines of $1,000, but no fine have been imposed.

Front Royal is just one of many communities with water restrictions in place.

In Shenandoah National Park, all streams are closed to fishing right now. The lack of water and the heat are severely stressing fish that are used to cooler conditions.

“We are already seeing some fish mortality, so we just don’t want to further stress then,” Claire Comer with Shenandoah National Park said. “Even in those streams that are catch-and-release.”

For hikers, spectacular waterfall views are gone for now as the drought reduces gushing torrents to a trickle.

But the biggest worry in the national park is a high danger of fire.

“Not throwing your cigarette out the window, or you know, something that people don’t think about is, even [car] exhaust. That exhaust heat can ignite those extremely dry grasses,” Comer said. “Park your car on durable surfaces, only on gravel or asphalt.”

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.

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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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 high temperature in D.C. Thursday was 96. Dulles International Airport tied a record for July 27 at 98. The high temperature reached 99 in Leesburg and Warrenton.

The heat index is likely to hit 110° on Friday and 108° on Saturday, Storm Team4 says.

Storm Team4 declared a weather alert for the extreme heat. The D.C. area is under a heat advisory through 8 p.m. Thursday, then an excessive heat watch is set for Friday, from morning to evening.

Thursday has been stormy, too. Severe thunderstorms prompted warnings and watches Thursday evening.

Here’s a full list of weather alerts.

You want to take this kind of heat seriously — and the humidity as well, Storm Team4 Meteorologist Amelia Draper said.

Why does it feel so hot when the humidity is this high? It’s like when you get out of the shower and get chilly — water evaporating from your body cools you down.

“When there’s so much moisture in the air, and you don’t have that evaporation going on, you’re kind of baking yourself. Or sous viding yourself,” Draper said.

Here’s a deeper look at humidity and feels-like temperatures.

Staying safe in extreme heat

Everyone is vulnerable to heat-related illnesses but particularly the elderly, children, people who work outside and pets, according to the Prince George’s County Health Department.

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How do you avoid heat-related illness?

To stay safe, drink plenty of water, wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing and avoid spending time in the sun. Watch for signs of heat-related illness.

Seek air conditioning; libraries, rec centers and community centers are often used as cooling centers. Here are information and heat safety resources for D.C.; Montgomery County and Prince George’s County in Maryland; Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Loudoun County and Prince William County in Virginia.

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 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.

Peter Kiley captured this photo outside the Capitol:

Although the image may be startling, Storm Team4’s Amelia Draper says the funnel is not a tornado and didn’t touch the ground.

The National Weather Service says a funnel cloud is a condensation funnel extending from the base of a towering cumulus associated with a rotating column of air that is not in contact with the ground.

The funnel cloud could also be seen over Ronald Reagan National Airport.

Some severe thunderstorms are moving through the D.C. area Tuesday afternoon and the entire region is under a severe thunderstorm watch until 8 p.m.

Go here for the complete forecast and real-time radar.

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This happens because of the greenhouse effect. The sunlight goes through the windows and heats up the inside of the car, and the glass traps in the heat.

As of July 2023, there have been 13 pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths in the United States. Most commonly, the children were left unknowingly in the vehicle. Some got in on their own.

Make sure to lock car doors and keep keys out of the reach of children so they do not get inside the car by themselves. Get in the habit of checking the entire car before locking the doors and walking away. It may help to place a purse, briefcase, jacket or other personal items in the backseat to remind you to take another look before you leave the car.

Animals in a parked car can suffer heat-related illness or death within 15 minutes. Cracking a window is not effective because conditions inside the vehicle can still become dangerously hot.

Heat related illness and deaths are 100% preventable.

The D.C. area is in for a smoky summer.

June brought us at least two stretches of notably terrible air, one of which gave D.C. the worst air quality in the world.

And unfortunately for our lungs, we’re likely to see more air quality alerts before the summer is out — especially with high temperatures and dry conditions.

What’s the air quality where I live today?

You can check the air quality in your part of the D.C. area using the interactive map below.

The data in the map refreshes itself daily.

For hourly updates based on zip code or city, you can also go to AirNow.gov.

What do the different air quality codes mean?

The Environmental Protection Agency monitors how polluted or clear the air is with the Air Quality Index, or AQI. The scale runs from 0 to 500, and the higher the AQI, the more pollution there is in the air.

Each range on the AQI is given a color. Green is the zero to 50 part of the range, and qualifies as “Good” air quality; yellow is 51 to 100, and qualifies as “Moderate” air.

Code orange ranges from 101 to 150, and means the air is unhealthy for sensitive groups, like children and elderly adults, or people with asthma and other chronic respiratory conditions.

A code red, which ranges from 151 to 200, is unhealthy for everyone.

Code purple means everyone is at greater risk of health impacts. Once you get to maroon, which is 301 and higher, the effects on everyone’s health reach emergency levels, and people are more likely to be sickened.

See the chart below for the full range of the AQI.

How could bad air quality affect my health?

Wildfires release a lot of pollution into the atmosphere. The fine particulate matter in the smoke is especially bad for human lungs, and can cause decreased lung function, throat irritation and shortness of breath, according to the EPA. It can also cause bronchitis and asthma, according to CNBC.

According to research from Stanford University, being “exposed to wildfire smoke causing AQI of 150 for several days is equivalent to about seven cigarettes a day if someone were outside the whole time.”

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How can I stay safe during air quality alerts?

The best way to protect yourself from the negative health effects of wildfire smoke is to avoid breathing it in — which means staying inside as much as possible.

On air quality alert days, for example, it’s a good idea to hit the gym instead if you typically work out outside. Air quality alert days are also not the best times to bring your kids to the park or the pool, especially if they have allergies, asthma, or chronic health issues.

Pets should also stay inside when the air is unhealthy.

“Other mammals, they suffer from many of the same lung conditions that humans do,” Dr. Purvi Parikh, an allergist and immunologist at the Allergy & Asthma Network, told NBC News.

If the air quality reaches code red or code purple levels, it’s a good idea to use the “recirculate” air button in your car, Storm Team4 Meteorologist Chuck Bell said.

“This keeps the outside air OUT and keeps sending the inside air through the filters,” he said.

If you need extra protection from smoky conditions, the Centers for Disease Control recommends finding a room you can seal off from outside air. Consider a portable air cleaner or a filter to keep that room clean.

There are ways to create an air filter yourself using a box fan and furnace filters you can purchase at most grocery stores.

Respirators, like N95s, can help reduce your smoke exposure if you have to be outside in poor air quality conditions, according to the CDC.

How are Canadian wildfires affecting DC’s air quality?

Canada is experiencing its worst-ever wildfire season this year.

According to the Canadian government, a record 30,000 square miles — land about the size of South Carolina — has been scorched.

As of July 2, nearly every province in Canada has fires burning. There are 490 fires burning nationally, with 255 of them considered to be out of control.

Smoke from those wildfires has brought hazy, smoky air into large parts of Canada and the northeastern United States. In the U.S., the poor air has moved at least as far west as Illinois, Indiana and even Minnesota, and as far south as Virginia.

Why does smoke from Canada keep moving into DC?

We all live on the same planet, and look up at the same sky. While this is usually a beautiful, positive thing, it also means that smoke from environmental hazards in one part of the globe travels into other areas with ease.

That’s especially true considering the path of the jet stream across North America.

Jet streams are narrow bands of wind that form where hot and cold air meet in the upper levels of the atmosphere, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). They blow from west to east, but can move as airflow shifts north or south.

The shape of the jet stream curves is affected by “the locations of high and low pressure systems, warm and cold air, and seasonal changes,” NOAA says on its website, and the stream shape changes often.

But, at this time of year, the jet stream generally stays around the U.S.-Canadian border. If those curves dip further south over the East Coast, then smoke in Canada gets blown down toward D.C.

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In Kensington, Beach Drive was closed due to flooding as Rock Creek rose.

Friday brought the heaviest rainfall of the week, Storm Team4 Chief Meteorologist Doug Kammerer said.

As of 5:23 p.m., 1-3 inches of rain had fallen, according to the National Weather Service. Another 1-2 inches was possible in the warned areas.

The warning included Montgomery and Fairfax counties and the city of Fairfax.

More showers are possible over the weekend.