Forecast: Dry Today, Wet Tomorrow

Maybe a touch of ice late tonight into early tomorrow

You might think of the weather today as representing the calm before the storm. What storm, you ask? We'll see a rather potent area of low pressure over the southeastern U.S. push north and east into our region by the early morning Friday, bringing decidedly wet weather to the area for the last day of the work week. The precipitation may begin as a brief period of ice in the immediate northern and western suburbs, while places well to the north and west may see a more siginificant period of accumulating ice. By the weekend, however, we'll experience clearing conditions and noticeably milder temperatures.

TODAY

Increasing clouds, low to mid 40s, chance of ice late tonight. Though the first half of the day will feature partly to mostly sunny skies, by mid to late afternoon clouds will begin to increase ahead of an approaching area of low pressure. Afternoon highs will probably top out in the low to mid 40s. Expect cloudy skies tonight with precipitation breaking out by early morning Friday, starting as mainly rain from DC toward points south and east, but possibly as sleet and freezing rain north and west (Montgomery and Fairfax counties), where there is the potential for a few icy spots. Overnight lows will hover around or just above freezing.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch in effect late tonight through tomorrow afternoon for areas well north and west (Frederick, Loudoun, Fauquier counties), where ice is more likely to accumulate and cause more significant slipperiness.

TOMORROW

Cloudy and rainy, mid 40s. Any ice in the immediate metro area should quickly change to all rain in the morning as temperatures warm toward highs in the mid 40s. Overcast skies and periods of moderate to heavy rain will prevail through much of the day. The heaviest rain will probably fall from the late morning through mid afternoon, diminishing in intensity during the late afternoon, and tapering off by early evening. Friday night will bring partial clearing with lows dropping to 30-35.

Keep reading for the forecast through the weekend as well as a sneak peek at early next week.

THE WEEKEND

Mostly sunny, low to mid 50s. I'm happy to say that this weekend will feature quite nice weather, with plenty of sunshine and temperatures nearly 10 degrees above average. Saturday will present us with mostly sunny conditions with highs in the low 50s and overnight lows in the upper 20s to mid 30s. We may see a touch more in the way of clouds on Sunday, but it will still be partly to mostly sunny. Expect milder high temperatures in the mid 50s with overnight lows from 30-35.

A LOOK AHEAD

Prepare for partly sunny conditions on Monday, with mild highs in the low to mid 50s and overnight lows in the mid 30s to low 40s.

The next storm system may push through the area on Tuesday, bringing the likelihood of increased clouds and a chance for showers. Milder flow from the southwest may allow for high temperatures to near 60 degrees, while overnight lows will range from the upper 30s to low 40s.

Rain may linger into Wednesday, along with the potential for continued mild temperatures, in the 50s to maybe near 60.