Storm To Bring Rain, Winter Cold To VA Thanksgiving Week

VIRGINIA — A rainy week is ahead for D.C. and Northern Virginia, with winter cold temperatures arriving for Thanksgiving and Black Friday, according to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service.

The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang says the chance that the freezing cold brings snow is a long-shot for Sunday, but something to watch for into the weekend.

Unseasonably cold temperatures on Sunday with highs in the mid- to upper-30s mean "there’s an outside chance of snow showers or flurries during the first half of the day," the Post said. "If they materialize, they shouldn’t be a big deal or have major implications for travel plans."

The good news is that the busy travel day of Wednesday will be quiet, with the first round of rain likely to arrive Tuesday morning, and then it will rain again overnight Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. Thanksgiving will be soggy across the D.C. region, with an 80 percent chance of rain, mainly before 1 p.m.

Forecasters are still tracking a Thanksgiving storm, with two different scenarios possible. Depending on which of these happens, the severity of the storm could differ.

"A storm has the potential to snarl transit for those even traveling locally across portions of the Midwest and Northeast on Thanksgiving Day, even those chasing Black Friday deals could contend with travel challenges," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tyler Roys.

The National Weather Service said it shouldn't be too severe, though, "mostly just beneficial rain."

The storm could bring gusty winds that wouldn't normally be severe, but could impact parades in New York City and Philadelphia.

And if the storm's core head far enough north, it could bring some snowflakes too. Though, as with the most recent snow, it may be contained to areas of higher elevation.

"The possibility may still remain for some to wake up to a white Thanksgiving or see snowflakes fly in areas that typically do not see snow for the late-November holiday," Roys said.

Things should dry out Friday. However, temperatures will stay low and breezy, giving the weekend a wintry feel.

Here's the latest Northern Virginia forecast.

Monday Afternoon: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. South wind around 6 mph.

Monday Night: Rain likely, mainly after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tuesday: Rain likely, mainly before 7am. Mostly cloudy through mid-morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 61. Southwest wind 8 to 14 mph becoming northwest in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Northwest wind 3 to 7 mph.

Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 54. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night: Rain likely after 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 45. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Thanksgiving Day: Rain, mainly before 1pm. High near 54. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 46.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 27.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 39.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 27.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 39.