Washington, DC – Gusty winds up to 35 mph are already impacting the region this morning, with a sharp temperature drop overnight set to bring freezing conditions before sunrise Wednesday.
According to the National Weather Service in Baltimore/Washington, northwest winds will increase to 10 to 15 mph with gusts between 25 and 35 mph through the afternoon, while temperatures remain below normal in the upper 40s to upper 50s. The strongest winds will affect open areas and major corridors like I-95, I-495, and I-66, where drivers may notice crosswinds.
Skies remain mostly sunny today across Washington, Baltimore, and northern Virginia, but the bigger concern arrives tonight as winds diminish and temperatures fall rapidly. Lows are expected to drop into the low 30s across urban areas and upper 20s in outlying and mountainous regions by 4 a.m. to 7 a.m. Wednesday.
This setup increases the risk of frost and a hard freeze, especially west of I-95, with potential impacts to early-season plants and sensitive vegetation.
Residents should secure loose outdoor items today due to wind, then take precautions to protect plants overnight. Temperatures gradually rebound by Thursday, but additional cold nights may still bring frost concerns.
