Cold air presses hard across the Mid-Atlantic this morning, the kind that stiffens fingers within seconds and leaves cars reluctant to start. Sidewalks feel unforgiving. The wind slices between buildings, making the cold impossible to ignore.
According to the National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington office, a Cold Weather Advisory remains in effect across much of northern Virginia, central Maryland, and the District through late morning, with another advisory returning tonight into Thursday. Wind chills are dropping below zero at times, especially during the early hours, creating a real risk for frostbite with prolonged exposure.
Temperatures remain well below normal today, with highs only reaching the lower 20s around Annandale and nearby suburbs. Gusty northwest winds amplify the cold, pushing wind chills into the single digits or colder. Any moisture left on pavement stays frozen, and shaded roads, bridges, and sidewalks remain slick well after sunrise.
The cold does not break quickly. Another surge of Arctic air settles in tonight, setting up another bitter morning. Meteorologists warn that several nights of dangerous wind chills are possible through the end of the workweek. Even brief outdoor tasks should be planned carefully.
This pattern is tied to a broader Arctic outbreak spilling south from a Great Lakes region that is nearly 50 percent frozen. That locked-in cold air mass continues to feed the East Coast, while other parts of the country see sharp temperature contrasts.
Looking ahead, conditions stay cold through Friday, then slowly ease into the weekend. A slight chance for light wintry precipitation appears by Sunday, which could create travel issues if temperatures hover near freezing.
Limit time outdoors, check on vulnerable neighbors, and ensure pets have warm shelter. Traveling later this week? Tell us what road conditions look like where you are.
Five-Day Outlook for Annandale, Virginia
- Today: Very cold, increasing clouds, highs near 23°
- Thursday: Sunny but frigid, highs near 23°, wind chills near zero
- Friday: Mostly sunny, cold, highs near 21°
- Saturday: Partly sunny, cold, highs near 18°
- Sunday: Chance of light precipitation, highs near 25°
