Washington, District of Columbia — A gusty line of showers is moving through the Washington-Baltimore region on Friday morning, bringing wind gusts between 30 and 50 mph and impacting the early commute as a cold front pushes east.
According to the National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington office, the initial line of showers moved east of U.S. Route 15 early Friday before pushing into the Washington and Baltimore metro areas between about 6:30 and 8 a.m. Forecasters said the showers are capable of producing strong wind gusts despite limited rainfall.
Radar imagery showed a narrow but fast-moving band of precipitation crossing northern Virginia, the District, and central Maryland. Winds of 40 to 50 mph were possible within the strongest showers, particularly during the morning hours.
A Wind Advisory remains in effect across much of the region, with gusty conditions expected to persist through mid-morning. Additional scattered showers may follow late Friday morning into the afternoon as the cold front completes its passage, though winds should gradually diminish later in the day.
Drivers are advised to use caution on bridges, elevated roadways, and exposed highways, where crosswinds may be strongest. High-profile vehicles may experience difficult travel, and brief visibility reductions are possible during heavier showers.
Temperatures are expected to fall through the day behind the front, contributing to a colder and blustery feel by Friday afternoon and evening. While widespread flooding is not expected, ponding of water may occur on roadways during heavier bursts of rain.
Residents are urged to secure loose outdoor objects and holiday decorations that could be displaced by strong gusts. Isolated power outages and downed tree limbs are possible, especially in areas where winds peak.
