Virginia — A cold, quiet dawn settles across Annandale, with crisp air pooling in shaded yards and a faint shimmer of frost on rooftops east of the Beltway. Streetlights glow against thinning clouds, while the pavement stays dry but chilled—conditions that hint at a bumpy start as Thanksgiving travel ramps up across Northern Virginia.
Residents should plan for rain moving in after mid-afternoon, which could slow the first wave of early holiday commuters on I-495, I-395, and I-66. Light winds keep the atmosphere stable, so low clouds may sit stubbornly over Fairfax County through the evening. According to the National Weather Service, rainfall rates stay manageable, but roads may slick quickly due to the cold ground. Travelers should allow additional time, especially during the 4–7 p.m. push.
Patchy fog may return late tonight as moisture deepens and winds stay calm. Models hint at brief pockets of denser fog near open fields west of Annandale, though the signal remains modest. Wednesday brings clouds and mild temperatures, encouraging pre-holiday errands and school pick-ups. To be fair, the day looks quieter than most travel weeks in November.
Rain chances increase again Thursday night, but impacts appear limited for now. Temperatures climb into the mid-50s, keeping any winter tease locked to the colder ridges west of the metro. Still, travelers driving toward the Shenandoah should watch for a possible early-season changeover in higher terrain if colder air slips south faster than expected.
A stronger system approaches Friday, bringing steadier rain and another round of slow travel from the Beltway to the Springfield Interchange. According to regional planners, flight delays are possible if low clouds linger through the early rush.
The weekend turns cooler and brighter, offering smoother conditions for last-minute Thanksgiving arrivals across Northern Virginia.
