The spring equinox occurs at 5:50 p.m. The second equinox is at 3:50 a.m. Sept. 23, which will signify the first day of fall or the autumnal equinox.

Full disclaimer: we generally do not see 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness on the actual equinox. This generally happens a few days before in the spring and a few days after in the fall.

On Sunday, March 17, we measured equal light and dark 鈥� referred to as the equilux 鈥� with the sun coming up at 7:17 a.m. and going down at 7:17 p.m. The reason is that the equinox is measured by the position of the center of the sun, but the sun has an angular size. Therefore when we see the sun come up, we still get daylight even if the center of the sun has not passed beyond the horizon. This is obviously true with the sunset. The Earth鈥檚 atmosphere also plays a part by bending the sun鈥檚 rays, making the daylight a little longer.

Courtesy National Weather Service

Courtesy NBC Washington

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Wednesday morning saw a beautiful sunrise to start off the first spring day of the year. Temperatures will rise to the mid-50s in most parts of the D.C. area; this is just a little below normal for this time of year, as normal temperatures should be around 57 degrees. Clouds increase through the day on Wednesday, with some rain arriving after 8 p.m. Spring showers resume for Thursday, the first full day of spring, but we are doing pretty well in terms of weather compared to last year.

Remember the first day of spring of 2018? Some parts of the region received a nice little coating of snow on the ground, making us hold onto the idea of winter that much longer. While there is no snow in our spring forecast for 2019, I wanted to look back over the last 20 years and see how first days of spring around the D.C. area have shaped up.

The coldest first day of spring over the last 20 years was just last year, with daytime highs only reaching to around 43 degrees. The warmest day that we have had on the vernal equinox was 2010 when we hit 74 degrees. We have only had measurable snow (small amounts) three times on March 20, 2018, 2016 and 2015. Spring saw a wet start for six consecutive years beginning in the year 2000. The most measurable rain came down in 2003, when 1.95 inches of rain were recorded; that record still holds today.

Forecast:

Wednesday: Becoming cloudy by evening with few showers after sunset.
Highs in the low to mid-50s.

Thursday: Chilly and wet with heavy rain at times.
Highs in the high 40s to mid-50s.

Friday: Mostly cloudy with midday showers.
Highs in the low to mid-50s.

Saturday: Mostly sunny but breezy and chilly.
Highs in the low 50s.

Source

WASHINGTON 鈥斕齏et, wintry weather will arrive in the D.C. area just in time for the Wednesday morning commute. Expect up to 4 inches of snow around the District, and up to 7 inches in areas to the north and west.

It won’t just be snow either: Around midday, snow will switch over to sleet and freezing rain and, then, just rain.

Winter storm warnings and advisories are posted for the region,听with snow, sleet, freezing rain and rain all in the mix through Wednesday evening. As a result,听area schools have announced that they’ll be closed on Wednesday. Power outages are also possible.

Here’s what to expect.

• Listen to 小萝莉影视 online and on the radio at 103.5 FM or 107.7 FM.
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• Weather forecast
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Once the first flakes start falling on Wednesday morning, it will stick immediately.听It could be fairly icy through the middle part of the day before slushy conditions take over at night.

Plan to stay off the roads, if you can 鈥� and with a chance for some icing from a brief period of freezing rain on top of snow or sleet, use caution walking on steps, sidewalks and driveways once the storm rolls in.

Tuesday afternoon, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan encouraged residents to stay off the roads if at all possible while crews clear them.

“This is going to be a dangerous storm, he said. “In spite of our best efforts, we are going to have difficulty on the roads, and so we want to encourage you, if possible, to stay home tomorrow while we clean up these roads.”

On Tuesday, Hogan said there were 2,700 pieces of equipment pretreating the roads for what he called a “fairly significant snow event.”

Storm Team4 Meteorologist Chuck Bell said the storm would cause widespread disruption to all forms of travel. “Your best bet is to get everything you need to do completed today,” Bell said. “Fill your car with gas and windshield washer fluid and plan to stay home tomorrow.”

Watches and warnings:

A winter storm warning听has been issued for the following parts of the 小萝莉影视 listening area.

Washington, D.C. from 1 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday.

In Maryland:听Montgomery, Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, Howard, Frederick, Baltimore and Carroll counties from 1 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday.

In Virginia:听Fairfax, Arlington, Loudoun, Prince William and Fauquier counties, including the cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, Manassas and Manassas Park from 1 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday.

A winter storm warning means significant amounts of snow, sleet and ice will make travel very hazardous or impossible.

A winter weather advisory听has been issued for the following parts of the 小萝莉影视 listening area.

In Maryland:听Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties from 1 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday.

In Virginia:听Stafford and Spotsylvania counties, including the city of Fredericksburg, from 1 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday.

A winter weather advisory means periods of snow or other winter weather will听cause travel difficulties. Expect snow-covered roads听and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving.

The setup

A warm nose of air will move in aloft from the south to the north beginning midmorning, trying to erode a layer of cold air from the upper levels of the atmosphere right down to the surface. This warm air will inevitably win out, changing the snow to sleet and freezing rain, and finally to a plain, cold rain.

How quickly this happens will have a big impact on snow totals. Cold air looks to hang on the longest from the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia and Western Frederick County, Maryland, north toward the Mason-Dixon Line.

This means these areas will have the potential for the highest snow totals across the region.

Timing

Tuesday itself will stay dry, so the D.C. area can’t expect to see early dismissals or evening events canceled.听The snow will begin moving in from the southwest to the northeast by daybreak on Wednesday.

Here’s how Wednesday should unfold:

Breakfast: Snow.

Lunchtime: Changing to a wintry mix.

Dinner: Shifting to a cold, steady rain from south to north.

Snow and ice

In general, locations south and east will be the first to mix in with rain, while areas north and west will hold onto the cold air a little longer and end up with bigger snow amounts.

D.C. and Baltimore can expect to see 2 to 4 inches before a transition to rain, with lesser amounts to the south and east, and up to 7 inches to the north and west. It could fall rapidly as well: “We could see snowfall rates of an inch an hour, and that would reduce visibility,” Storm Team4 Meteorologist Doug Kammerer said.

As of Tuesday, NBC Washington’s forecasters听believe that warm air will start to spread north through the middle part of Wednesday, bringing some ice accumulation on top of the already-accumulated snow.

“If you saw ice last week, you will most likely see freezing rain again this week,” Kammerer said during a Facebook Live Tuesday afternoon.

“This storm will start out as snow for everyone, and several inches of accumulation are expected before milder air begins to change the snow over to a mix of sleet, freezing rain and rain,” Bell said.

This process will begin to melt the snow into the overnight and turn into a slushy mess overnight Wednesday into Thursday morning. Rain showers will continue through at least the first part of Thursday as temperatures move into the 50s, creating additional melting.

Courtesy NBC Washington

Courtesy NBC Washington

Courtesy NBC Washington

Courtesy NBC Washington

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Forecast:

Tuesday night: Snow develops after midnight. Lows in the mid 20s to low 30s.

Wednesday: Snow 鈥� heavy in spots 鈥� in the morning. Sleet mixes in around midday. In the afternoon: sleet, freezing rain and rain. By evening, rain with pockets of freezing rain to the north and west of D.C.听Highs in the mid 30s.

Thursday: Rain possible earlier in the morning. Clouds give way to sun. Highs in the 50s.

贵谤颈诲补测:听Partly to mostly cloudy. Highs around 50.

Current conditions:

小萝莉影视’s Will Vitka and Jack Pointer contributed to this report.

Source

However, it will certainly feel more like Christmas around here as compared to the past! Over the last several years, we have been rather mild when it comes to Dec. 25:

Christmas Day highs/lows

2017:
High: 41
Low: 31

2016:
High: 51
Low: 35

2015:
High: 69
Low: 57

2014:
High: 61
Low: 46

2013:
High: 33
Low: 22

Where to go to see snow

Though there will be no snow this year in the D.C. area, you may not have to go far to find it.

A little system passed through the region late Sunday night. Parts of central and northern Pennsylvania up into New England picked up a bit of snow Sunday night with the quick moving system, so those are the closest locations to get a bit of a white Christmas.

Christmas Day

Christmas morning will start off on the chilly side as temperatures climb away from the freezing mark. By the afternoon, expect light winds, sunny skies and temperatures around 40 degrees.

Storm Team 4 meteorologist Matt Ritter contributed to this report.

Source

The storm has been trending more to the south, diminishing snow lovers’ dreams of a white weekend. But with two days still to go, there is a slight chance models could flip-flop.

Over the past 24 hours, models have mostly agreed to keep this system south of the 小萝莉影视 listening area, bringing better chances of snow to areas south of Interstate 66.

If your travels this weekend take you south of Interstate 64 in Virginia and into North Carolina, you may want to reconsider. This could be a historic storm for portions of Western North Carolina.

Again, with most of the dynamics south of our area, a good amount of snow could set up for areas south of I-64 in Virginia and into portions of North and South Carolina.

The models show our region staying dry for now. However, given the instability in model guidance over the past week, we are maintaining a small chance this system could slip back to the north, increasing our chances for at least some snow over the weekend. The biggest area of concern will still lie south of D.C., mainly from I-66/Route 50 and points south. This would including portions of Southern Maryland, Fredericksburg and portions of Stafford and Spotslyvania Counties and well as the Cupeper area.

We will continue to watch it into your Saturday morning but the light is dimming on snow chances in our area 鈥� at least for this weekend.

Source

The setup

The beginnings of this storm are still off the coast of central California. The energy will travel over 1,750 miles to the eastern coast of Texas until Friday. While this is happening, a dry cold front will pass through the area Friday, allowing for temperatures to drop for the weekend and for high pressure to influence the area. That front will sag to the south on Saturday, toward the Gulf Coast and stall out. A surface low will then develop along that cold front and begin to move to the Northeast, bringing a lot of moisture with it Saturday night through Monday.

What we know

While this storm is still days away, we are starting to draw some better conclusions about what will happen.

If the storm does hit the D.C. area, it could possibly be a snow event with a bit of a wintry mix. We do know that the storm will impact a good portion of the mid-Atlantic, especially locations in North Carolina and the southern Appalachian Mountains, bringing a big bout of winter weather to the mid-Atlantic states and rain to the Deep South.

Models have been hinting at possible snow since last Friday (pattern). However, please let it be known that models seven to 10 days out OFTEN change, therefore banking on snow seven to 10 days out is foolish. At Days 4 and 5, we can whittle the forecast down to different scenarios. For example, we know a storm is coming up through the Deep South.

Right now, it still looks like only southern Virginia and North Carolina have the greatest probability of getting measurable snow, with the I-64 corridor too close for comfort. It would take the storm deviating to the north of most of the current computer guidance to put the D.C. area in the snow threat, which is possible but not very probable.

By two to three days out, we have a better idea of model consistency and who may be affected. Then, by one to two days out, we can fine-tune details like what locations will see what type of precipitation or totals of said precipitation. We also will have an idea of who will be impacted the worst.

We look for trends and consistency in model runs with every event. With this particular storm, consistency is something that we have seen hold true since the end of last week, trends are not.

What鈥檚 to be determined

The trend with this storm has been a little more difficult to grasp. There have been conflicting models run over the past several days in terms of storm track. At times, model runs have trended the storm south of the D.C. area, which would lead to our region not seeing much winter weather at all and some areas seeing nothing. In other runs (especially Wednesday), the track of the storm shifted north, bringing us a better chance of accumulating snow in our region. Either way, our area is right on the cusp of seeing something or nothing at all.

We also know that just a small shift in the track will have major impacts on our forecast. The jury is also still out on the timing. We could have an all-day Sunday event, a Sunday night into Monday event OR solely a Monday event. Different models indicate different timing scenarios.

As explained in graphic about the 鈥淩eality of Long Range Forecasts鈥� above. It might be a day or two before we can nail down better details. But at this point, it is just too early and too difficult to pinpoint an exact forecast. I know many of you feel like this about winter weather forecasting 鈥�

鈥� but just know 鈥� we feel like that too sometimes!

I can say with confidence that if you do have plans for the end of the weekend and into the beginning of next week, this will be something that you will have to monitor very closely. We will be keeping an obvious eye on it for you as well, so keep it on NBC and 小萝莉影视, and we鈥檒l get you through it!

Source

Tuesday

Besides the nice southwest breeze here in the mid-Atlantic, bumping temperatures to the upper 50s and lower 60s, Tuesday is looking fabulous for travel pretty much throughout the U.S.

The only real problem spot will be the Pacific Northwest, where a warm front will bring periods of moderate to heavy rain through the day Tuesday.

Wednesday

A cold front will scoot through the mid-Atlantic Tuesday overnight into early Wednesday morning (passing off to the Atlantic Ocean through 8 a.m. Wednesday). There could be a few light showers overnight Tuesday into Wednesday.

In addition to the weak front pushing through the region by early Wednesday morning, an area of low pressure will bring some rain showers from the Carolina borders up toward Boston, mainly bringing some rain showers Wednesday to the eastern seaboard.

That is why we will keep a chance of a shower early Wednesday morning if you are flying out of Baltimore.

Other than that, you may deal with a few lake effect snow showers through western Pennsylvania and New York on Wednesday. Another frontal system will make its way through the Pacific Northwest, bringing more rain and some snow to portions of Washington state and Oregon. If you are headed to California, there could be a few light showers in the northern portion of the state, but prepare yourself for record-breaking heat through Southern California through Thanksgiving.

Thursday/Thanksgiving

Turkey-trotting forecast

If you are running some turkey trots Thanksgiving morning, get ready for some very frigid conditions. Temperatures across the region will be below freezing or just at that freezing mark as the sun comes up Thanksgiving morning; sunrise will be exactly at 7 a.m. Thursday. There will be plenty of sunshine and light winds. However, dress in those warm layers!

Thanksgiving Day

Temperatures will gradually warm into the upper 40s on Thanksgiving. There will be plenty of sunshine and a much lighter wind across the region.

Thanksgiving night 鈥� Redskins vs. Giants at FedEx Field

Bring those layers! Once again, it is going to be a chilly night as temperatures slip under clear skies into the 30s during the Redskins vs. Giants game at FedEx Field. Expect clear skies with the sun going down at 4:49 p.m. on Thanksgiving night.

Black Friday

The area is starting off Black Friday on a chilly note, but that鈥檚 usually how it is to get those early bird deals done! Temperatures will be climbing out of the 30s/20s through the morning with sunrise at 7:01 a.m. Then, temperatures will be in the upper 40s/lower 50s with sunshine expected all day.

Source

Yes, it was abnormally warm earlier in the month. In fact, the average temperature from Oct. 1 to Oct. 15 this year was 69.9 degrees. That is 8.1 degrees warmer than the area’s average temperatures for the first part of October.

But don’t say goodbye to warm temperatures just yet. In fact, temperatures will begin a slow rise once again starting Wednesday afternoon; however, Wednesday morning will start off on a chilly note.

A frost advisory is posted for much of the region Tuesday evening, which is outlined for those areas in blue. Most counties that are influenced by the warm water in the Chesapeake Bay are not included in the frost advisory.

Generally, the National Weather Service will issue frost advisories for the area until the end of the growing season, which is marked by the first widespread freeze.

While D.C. itself will probably not bottom out in the 30s (the air temperature in D.C. is measured at Reagan National Airport, which tends to be slightly warmer this time of year due to its juxtaposition next to the water), there could be isolated spots inside the Capital Beltway that could fall into the 30s.

The area is just a touch early for the first frost to be posted but, again, this is an odd October. The first freeze for areas east of the Blue Ridge Mountains is generally in early to mid November, which will mark the end of the growing season.

For areas west of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the first freeze is, on average, mid to late October. In fact, a freeze warning is in place for much of the Central Shenandoah Valley, including Shenandoah County. A freeze occurred Tuesday morning for portions of West Virginia and western Maryland, so no more frost or freeze headlines will be posted for those locations, considering their growing season has officially ended.

After Wednesday, high pressure will slowly begin to slip south, helping to boost overnight lows and daytime highs. In fact, by Wednesday afternoon, temperatures will be a good 10 degrees higher than on Tuesday afternoon.

The gradual climb into the upper 70s will take place through the weekend before a cold front moves through the region on Monday and/or Tuesday, bringing rain and cooler temperatures toward the end of the next workweek.

Source

When and where?

Starting at 10:16 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time along the Oregon coast on Aug. 21, skies will go dark as the solar eclipse gets underway.

It will continue to travel over U.S. land for more than 3,000 miles, moving across Idaho Falls, Idaho; Casper, Wyoming; Nebraska, Missouri, southern Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee, before it exits off the coast of South Carolina at 2:48 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time about 90 minutes after it first makes its appearance in Oregon.

This track will be the path of totality where tens of millions of Americans will be able to view it across about a 70-mile wide path. If you are not in the path of totality, you will still be able to see the eclipse but it will be partial. Only in the path of totality will it be safe to briefly take protective glasses off and watch with the naked eye.

What is a solar eclipse?

What is a total solar eclipse? First off, the sun and moon give the illusion that they are the same size in the sky from the perspective of us here on Earth. However, the sun is 400 times larger than the moon and the moon is 400 times closer to the Earth than the sun. From time to time, the two will cross paths and the sun and the moon鈥檚 orbital plane perfectly intersect, which in turn creates a shadow outline of the sun as the moon passes in front of the sun. If you are in the path of totality, the moon will completely block out the sun.

Weather will have a huge impact on what you see! We need to have clear conditions or at the very least, partly cloudy sky cover.

So, what will the weather be like on Monday?

Early indications are that conditions will be partly cloudy across the 小萝莉影视 listening area. Therefore, we may have a few clouds out there for viewing but not a complete coverage of cloud cover. It’s largely expected to be mostly sunny with passing clouds. There will be a slight听break in the humidity over the weekend (still muggy but not AS muggy as Friday)鈥�.however, humidity returns Monday.

A frontal system will be to the south, draped over the Carolinas. High pressure looks to build into the region moving southwest to northeast. If it scoots too far north on Monday, we could draw some moisture into the region from the water off the East Coast, banking clouds up against the mountains. However, for now, it looks to be partly cloudy in the region. Let鈥檚 hope it stays that way.

Why is it such a big deal?

Well, the last time a total solar eclipse occurred across the contiguous U.S. was on Feb. 26, 1979.

The path of that eclipse passed through the northwestern U.S. states (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota.) Before 1979, it was 1918 when a total solar eclipse went from one coast to the other coast, traveling across the continental United States.

It has been 117 years since the last total solar eclipse in Virginia. The last total solar eclipse there was May 28, 1900.

The next solar eclipse in Virginia will be Sept. 14, 2099 鈥� 82 years from now.

If you live in the District, the last total eclipse was 539 years ago in 1478. The next time the path of totality will cross through D.C. will be in 183 years, on 4/14/2200.

Parts of Maryland (southern portion of the Eastern Shore) experienced a total solar eclipse on March 7, 1970. Similar to the District, the next chance to see a total solar eclipse in Maryland will be in 183 years on 4/14/2200.

What can you expect to see, what time and for how long?

The Maryland, Virginia and D.C. area will experience a partial eclipse, because the area is not in the path of totality.

So, let鈥檚 break it down.

The partial eclipse in this region will begin around 1:17 p.m. Aug. 21. The moon will begin covering the sun鈥檚 surface by that time. By 2:42 p.m., you will see the maximum amount of sun covered by the moon 鈥� 81 percent of the sun will be covered. At 4:01 p.m., the partial eclipse will end as the moon moves out of the path of the sun.

What else will happen during the solar eclipse?

For those in the path of totality, temperatures will drop and the winds could even pick up. Animals and insects may become confused. Small animals may even start acting strange. Wildlife experts say that birds will returns to their nests and fall silent.

How to view?

You will not need a telescope, first and foremost. The only way to safely view the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun is through special-purpose eclipse glasses or hand-held solar viewers. Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses are not a safe way to look directly at the sun.

To date, three manufacturers have certified that their for such products: Rainbow Symphony, American Paper Optics and Thousand Oaks Optical. These companies may be found online. Again, make sure you buy ones that are NASA-approved.

Why is it not safe to look at the sun even when only a small part of it is visible?

Here’s the official explanation from NASA:

鈥淭he rods and cones in the human retina are very sensitive to light. Even a thin sliver of the sun鈥檚 disk covers thousands of these light-sensitive cells. Normally during daylight conditions, the iris contracts so that only a small amount of light passes through the lens and then reaches the retina. This level of indirect sunlight is perfectly OK and the eye has evolved over millions of years to safely see the daylight world under most circumstances. The problem is that the sun鈥檚 surface is so bright that if you stare at any portion of it, no matter how small, it produces enough light to damage individual retinal cells. It takes a few seconds for this to happen, but afterward you will see a spot as big as the solar surface you glimpsed when you look away from the sun at some other scenery. Depending on how long you gazed at the sun and how badly the retinal cells were damaged, this spot will either fade away in time or remain permanent. You should never assume that you can look away quickly enough to avoid eye damage because every person is different in terms of their retinal sensitivity, and you do not want to risk being the one who damages their eyes just to try to look at the sun.鈥�

More:

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Last week was incredibly hot as temperatures soared Wednesday through Friday into the mid to upper 90s. Of course with the added humidity, last week just felt like a sauna.

This week, we are in for some more dangerous heat breaking out over the D.C. region, starting Wednesday and continuing all through the weekend.

A weak upper-level low will drift into the Deep South Tuesday night and into the weekend, while an area of high pressure will remain off the southeast coast of the U.S. Heat and humidity will continue to pump right into the region, making for some sticky and sultry days ahead.

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The graph above shows the probability of just how hot it could get in D.C. from Friday through next Tuesday.

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Whether you’re in the mood for a quick run through a park fountain, or prefer to spend the day swimming, sliding and sunning, we have you covered.

The heat index is forecast to be right under excessive heat warning criteria (to issue an “excessive heat warning” in our region, the heat index needs to reach or exceed 110 degrees east of the Blue Ridge or 105 degrees west of the Blue Ridge). A heat advisory (which will likely be issued for the region) means that the heat index value is expected to reach 105 to 109 degrees east of the Blue Ridge and 100 to 104 degrees west of the Blue Ridge.

From the above graph, there is an 82 percent chance Friday that the region’s heat index will be greater than 100 degrees. On Sunday, there is an 86 percent chance the heat index will exceed 100 degrees.

Humidity and heat will finally start to fall next week on Tuesday after a cold front sweeps by, bringing us a break from the oppressive heat.

There are slight chances of rain from Wednesday to Friday with Friday looking like the best chance for some pop-up isolated showers. Chances get slightly better for some showers and thunderstorms this weekend (40 percent chance you will see some storms develop in your neighborhood).

Of course, there could be some fluctuations in the temperatures/humidity, but either way, it looks like we are in for some hot days across the region. Prepare yourself for some dangerous heat ahead and have a plan ready to go if you are spending any amount of time outside.

Source

But of course around here, once you get used to a certain kind of weather, it quickly changes.

High pressure will slide off the eastern seaboard, setting up shop near Bermuda. Winds around this area of high pressure will begin pumping in heat and humidity from the south through the weekend. There could also be a few disturbances floating through the region, which could create some small chances of rain 鈥斕齧ainly scattered storms rolling through the area. So do not expect a washout this weekend by any means.

Beach weather

Speaking of beaches, what does the forecast look like at Maryland and Delaware beaches this holiday weekend?

Water temperatures will be around the 70-degree mark, with some isolated chances of storms on Sunday and Monday. It will be hot and humid at the beaches, so make sure that you stay hydrated while you鈥檙e out by the water!

As for the Fourth of July here in the D.C. area, it’s looking great! While a small chance of storms is not out of the question, it鈥檚 pretty much been taken out of the forecast for Tuesday:

Nationals vs. Mets (11:05 a.m.)

Expect partly sunny to mostly sunny skies as the game gets underway Tuesday morning. Temperatures will already be in the mid-80s by the first pitch, so get ready for not only hot but also humid conditions.

National Independence Day Parade (11:45 a.m.)

By the time attendees begin to line up for the parade, temperatures will be climbing up through the low 80s. It will also be a little humid on Tuesday morning, with the 鈥渇eel-like鈥� temperatures around 90 at the parade鈥檚 start. It should stay dry for the parade (keep checking back for updates but keeping it dry for now), with partly to mostly sunny skies.

A Capitol Fourth concert and fireworks (8鈥�9:30 p.m.; admittance begins at 3 p.m.)

If you remember D.C.鈥檚 last Fourth of July, you know there was lots of fog and temperatures only in the upper 60s/lower 70s by the time the fireworks went off on the National Mall. This year will prove to be much different, with听a more-typical July evening likely.

If you are headed down to the mall during the midafternoon to grab a great view, temperatures will be around 90 degrees with some muggy conditions. By the time the festivities begin to kick off, temperatures at 8 p.m. will be in the lower to mid-80s with partly cloudy skies. The sunset is at 8:36 p.m. this time of year, so expect fireworks to go off around 9 p.m. Temperatures will fall to the lower 80s by then and into the 70s by the time the fireworks have ended.

Source

Unfortunately the temperatures will not be feeling very summerlike and there’s the possibility for daily storm chances in the D.C. area. Luckily, it doesn’t mean three straight days of rain, but only occasional batches that we’ll have to dodge.

Saturday

Early risers on Saturday will see clear skies becoming overcast. An approaching warm front sliding in from the west will be responsible, and it will have a quick shot of some showers and thunderstorms. Then they will taper off and we will stay mostly cloudy the rest of the day, especially north of Washington.

If your in the this wknd keep an eye our for Storms Sat PM and showers Sun & Mon.

鈥� Chuck Bell (@ChuckBell4)

A second batch of scattered storms will develop in the afternoon and evening, but it won’t be raining everywhere at the same time. There is the potential for some of those storms to have gusty winds and hail, but a mitigating factor could be lack of sunshine, and, therefore, lack of energy. But, severe or not, any showers could impact parades, barbecues and the Nationals game against the Padres so keep your eyes on the radar. Also, northern Maryland could be significantly cooler than areas like Fredericksburg and southern Maryland.

Sunday

We are looking at mostly clouds on Sunday. There could be a few showers in the early morning but expect more showers to move into the area during the afternoon and evening. Once again, some strong storms are possible on Sunday afternoon as a cold front approaches the region. Temperatures will top out in the mid to upper 70s with plenty of clouds. It will feel rather humid again.

Dropped chances on Sunday to around 40% that you will see some showers/storms! Good news for !

鈥� Lauryn Ricketts (@laurynricketts)

Everybody has about a 60 percent chance of seeing storms where they are on Sunday afternoon. The 30th anniversary of Rolling Thunder could be impacted as well as the last game of the Nationals vs. Padres series.

Memorial Day

Keep your fingers crossed for a dry Memorial Day! Right now expect some sunshine with clouds here and there on your Memorial Day with temperatures rising to the lower 80s. There could be a few storms that pop up during the afternoon, but right now there鈥檚 only about a 30 percent chance. Therefore there could be a lot of the region that remains dry. Also, with high pressure building to the north, it’s likely that a lot of us will have dropping humidity levels from north to south during the day.

Maryland/Delaware beaches

It is not looking like the best of Memorial Day beach weekends but the good news is that it will not be raining the entire time.

If you are headed to Maryland/Delaware beaches this weekend watch for storms Saturday-Smaller afternoon chcs Sun/Mon

鈥� Lauryn Ricketts (@laurynricketts)

Expect peeks of sunshine through the weekend and into Memorial Day with daily chances of rain. The water temperature is a little cool, only around the 60-degree mark. Temperatures will generally stick in the 70s.

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A strong upper level low has moved to the Great Lakes area, pulling a pretty powerful cold front with it to the east. This front passes through the D.C. region late Monday night and into the overnight. By Tuesday morning, skies should be clearing.

小萝莉影视/Mike Murillo

A post shared 小萝莉影视 103.5 FM (@wtopnews) on May 1, 2017 at 5:08pm PDT

Tonight's sky has all the colors.

— Ray Lehr (@RayLehr)

I saw a turtle in the sky after the storm

— Steve Bishop (@stevebishop97)

Yes!

— Christina Saull (@christinasaull)

Already seeing some rainbows from the storms - sun down at 8:01pm Courtesy of Debbie Taylor via Facebook

— Lauryn Ricketts (@laurynricketts)

storm brewing in the mountains of

— Renee Sklarew (@TravelandDish)

(1/8)

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Earlier, the National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for most of the D.C. area, but canceled the alert around 8:25 p.m.

Rain continues to track to the east at a pretty quick speed. Expect a chance of rain and storms through late Monday night. Considering the sunshine that we experienced Monday and temperatures shooting into the 80s in most spots with added humidity, we have a decent amount of instability in a lot of the region.

The Storm Prediction Center has placed some of the region in a 鈥渟light risk鈥� area for severe weather, meaning that scattered severe storms are possible. Winchester, Virginia, the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia and areas along Interstate 81 north through the Pennsylvania area are in an 鈥渆nhanced risk鈥� for severe weather, meaning that numerous severe storms are possible through the evening.

By Tuesday, we will begin drying out as humidity levels drop. Winds will pick up and it will be a comfortable but windy day. More rain is expected on Thursday into Friday so if you don鈥檛 get your rain fix tonight, I definitely believe everybody will have equal chances for some heavy rain Thursday into Friday.

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Over the weekend, tree pollen was through the roof, marking the second time in 2017 that pollen levels have peaked (the time before that ). Tree pollen was in the 鈥渧ery high鈥� category over the weekend, meaning that 鈥渁lmost all allergy sufferers will experience symptoms,鈥� U.S. Army Centralized Allergen Extract Lab Chief Microbiologist Susan Kosisky said in the agency鈥檚 Pollen and Spore Report.

鈥淭hose folks that are extremely sensitive could have severe symptoms,鈥� Kosisky added in the report.

Pollen levels are in the ‘high’ category as of Tuesday afternoon.

Although the region peaked over the weekend (tree pollen was over 2665.50 grains per cubic meter of air), it looks like the pollen is here to stay 鈥� at least until we can get some substantial rain, the report added.

While pollen levels may not be as high in the coming days considering trees only produce so much pollen, we are still looking at pretty significant tree pollen levels with Oak being the biggest offender (sycamore, ash, pine and birch are also on the list).

Oak catkins, which have spiked fuzzy tassels that hang from the trees, are loaded with their pollen are still spreading their pollen into the air. As the start to fall (as they have started to do in some locations 鈥� in fact, you may notice a lot more laying on the ground in the coming days) the tree pollen levels will begin to decline.

The region also has a good chance of a soaking rain late in the weekend through perhaps early next week that could help cleanse the air. Keep your fingers crossed 鈥� hopefully we can head into May on a much less yellow-covered slate.

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Related Gallery

Photos: DC area gets spring fever 鈥� in February

How about this weather? Send 小萝莉影视 your photos of the spring-like weather. Tweet @小萝莉影视, email talkback@wtop.com or submit the photo on the 小萝莉影视 app.

So what is going on? Is there any chance of seeing snow over the next few weeks?

First, let me tackle some records so I can show you just how warm this winter actually is.

So far, the average temperature in D.C. for the month of February has been 45.5 degrees. With temperatures above average as the month ends, we are on track to be at least the second warmest, and likely warmest, February on record for the region. And it isn鈥檛 just February 鈥� overall, we are in at least the 3rd or 4th warmest winter for the area.

For context, here is some historical temperature data for Reagan National, BWI Marshall and Dulles International airports听from the National Weather Service.

Warmest Februaries

听 听February 2017 (through the 21st)

Warmest Meteorological Winters (Dec. 1 through Feb. 28-29)

Winter 2016-2017 (through Feb. 21)

(NOTE: Temperature records for D.C. have been kept at Ronald Reagan National Airport since 1941. However, temperatures were measured at other locations prior to Reagan, and records for D.C. date back to 1872. Temperature records for Baltimore have been kept at BWI Marshall Airport听since 1950. Additional temperature records for the Baltimore area date back to 1872. Temperature records in the Dulles, Virginia area have been kept at Dulles International Airport since 1962.)

While the area has had some snow (it might be a distant memory), it doesn鈥檛 look like much more is in sight. D.C. has only recorded 1.4 inches of snowfall this season, while BWI Marshall has seen 0.7 inches, and Dulles has received the highest total snowfall, 1.6 inches.

Here are the lowest seasonal snowfall totals for the area’s major airports, including the most recent that was not too long ago 鈥� the winter of 2011-2012.

Of course, this winter is on track to make it onto this list. (Data courtesy of the National Weather Service in Sterling, Virginia.)

Lowest seasonal (July 1 – June 30) snowfall

For all those grasping at straws for at least one day of snow, rest assured that the area has had some snow as late as March (the blizzard of 1993, the St. Patrick鈥檚 Day snow of 2015, etc.). The area has even had some snow in April (albeit a long, long time ago).

听听Top 5 snowiest Marches

听Latest measurable snowfall

And while I know the snow lovers are clinging to hope for at least one snow day, it just doesn鈥檛 look like it is in the cards.

The Climate Prediction Center has a greater-than-60-percent chance that the area will continue with above-average temperatures through at least the beginning of March.

So what exactly is going on with this year鈥檚 mild winter?

There is no blocking mechanism in the atmosphere over the upper Atlantic to help keep cold air in place over the East Coast. The jet stream also is playing a huge part in the extended warmth.

鈥淎bnormally warm water temperatures found in the waters near Alaska and the Canadian Pacific Coast have persisted in the area for three years,鈥� said StormTeam4 Chief Meteorologist Doug Kammerer.

鈥淲ith this warmth, the jet stream would flow above the warm blob, into Canada and across the heartland of the U.S., bringing cold weather to the eastern half of the United States,鈥� he said.

鈥淭his year, the warmth in the Pacific Ocean dissipated, changing the flow of the jet stream. It travels across Northern California, skimming along the border between the U.S. and Canada before exiting into the Atlantic Ocean around New England.鈥�

So unfortunately (or fortunately), it looks as if this pattern is here to stay 鈥� along with the pollen. Tree pollen will continue to be on the high side until the region gets some rain. There are moderate drought conditions through a good portion of the area, so some precipitation 鈥� any precipitation 鈥� is needed.

The good news is that cherry blossoms could peek slightly sooner! The earliest cherry blossom peak date was March 15 back in 1990 (which was also a very mild winter 鈥� see above).

Keep an eye on those blooms and flowers. Actual spring may come a lot quicker than anybody ever thought.

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Temperatures will come crashing down overnight Wednesday night, and that鈥檚 about the time we will see some precipitation moving through the region. This could make for some messy commuting in parts of the region Thursday morning so plan ahead.

The Setup

Thursday is a Storm Team 4 Weather Alert Day. I know, it is difficult to believe. A cold front will pass through the region Wednesday and slowly sag to the south eventually stalling out through central and southern Virginia.

An area of low pressure will develop Wednesday evening along the front in the Tennessee Valley. The area of low pressure will track northeast along the front, pushing through Central Virginia Wednesday night and off the coast of the Chesapeake Bay rapidly by early Thursday morning. During the day on Thursday, that low will continue to track close to the northeastern coast of the United States taking the snow with it but leaving some blustery winds in its wake.

The Timing

We are looking at a dry day Wednesday, with temperatures in the 60s, but temperatures will continue to fall Wednesday night as winds shift from the south to the north. Cold air will filter in and temperatures will gradually fall.

Rain will push into the region after 9 p.m., and as temperatures continue to drop, that rain will turn to wet snow from the northwest to the southeast overnight. Expect a changeover from rain to wet snow to occur in Hagerstown and points north after midnight.

A Winter Weather Advisory will be in effect for some areas (in purple) starting at 1 a.m. Thursday.

Between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m., a change from rain to snow will occur from the Northern Shenandoah Valley through Frederick and northern Montgomery counties to Baltimore. After 5 a.m., the change will start in the Greater Washington area 鈥� expect a changeover to light snow in Southern Maryland after 6:30 a.m.

Around 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., the snow showers will gradually come to an end, but we can鈥檛 rule out flurries around the area through the remainder of the day.听The whole event should last eight to 12 hours, depending on where you are.

The Totals and Impact

You may be wondering how we can get snow to stick after two听days with temperatures in the 60s and 70s. Well it can happen — if the snow rates are strong enough to overcome some of the warm road temperatures, it will eventually stick. The St. Patrick鈥檚 Day snowstorm on March 16-17,听2014, was preceded by days with highs of 60 and 70 degrees respectively, and yet and 3.3 inches of snow fell and stuck in D.C. — with higher totals outside the Beltway.

I am concerned that the roads will be difficult to treat, given that we will have rain at the onset before the changeover to snow. Therefore I expect some problems during the morning commute on Thursday.

Initially, we will see the snow melt on contact with the roads, considering road temperatures are in the upper 50s in a lot of spots. Eventually that temperature will drop, though, and snow will gather, especially north and west of D.C., where it will be snowing longer.

Snow will wrap up in the region around 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., leaving blustery winds and a few flurries; there will not be accumulating snow all day.

While around the Greater Washington D.C. area we are just looking mainly wet main roads with a possible coating or slick areas on some of the secondary areas, overpasses, exit ramps and bridges, we will have some minor accumulation.

Further north and west, the snow rates will create some problems, overcoming some of the warm ground temperatures and leaving some slushy accumulation on area roadways — which, again, will create some problems for the morning commute.

Before 8 a.m., some heavier snow bands could wreck听visibility听— another thing to watch for early Thursday morning. Plan on delays Thursday morning, both on the roads and area schools, with cancellations even possible.

Thursday afternoon and Friday morning

The snow will wrap up around 9 a.m., leaving a cold wind behind. Winds will gust up to 30 mph at times, and with temperatures only in the upper 30s for daytime highs, it is going to feel more like the 20s for much of the day and feeling like the teens late Thursday night.

There could be some black ice on the roads, not only Thursday night but also Friday morning, though I am hoping the wind will help dry out the roads. Either way, be careful traveling around both Thursday and Friday. The good news for warm-weather lovers is that temperatures will warm back into the 50s and 60s just in time for the weekend, so go ahead and make those tee times!

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