FORECAST: The cold continues as our next system moves in

After a windy evening, the wind will drop off markedly. With clear skies, it is setting up to be a frigid night with widespread lows in the teens to low 20s.

On Wednesday, the thermometer will be in the mid-40s as winds remain light ahead of the next cold front. This strong cold front will push across the DMV Wednesday night into Thursday, bringing gusty winds and widespread precipitation. Sustained winds between 10-15mph, gusting 20-25 mph during the day, will look to increase to 25-30 mph by Wednesday night. The peak gusts of 40 to 50 mph, with high-end gusts up to 55-60 mph possible, will be
along the highest ridges of the Alleghenies and Blue Ridge/ Catoctin Mountains.

The precipitation begins to move into the area late Wednesday evening, bringing snow to the mountains and a mix of rain and snow to the east. At least at the onset, all the wet weather will be in the form of snow, mainly between 12 AM and 3 AM on Thursday. Still, there will be areas that stay cold enough for the entire event to have frozen precipitation, which will likely be along and west of Frederick, Maryland. Some snow showers look to make it as far as the Beltway Thursday morning, with the most likely scenario being snow on the grassy surfaces only. In the mountains, things continue to trend snowier, so Winter Storm Watches are in place for Garrett County in Maryland. Forecast snow amounts between Wednesday night and Thursday morning are between 3 and 6 inches, with potentially higher amounts up to around 8 inches along the western-facing slopes above 2500 feet. As the sun returns by early afternoon, Thursday afternoon highs will be in the 30s to low 40s. However, the winds will pick up in earnest, resulting in wind chills in the 20s for many folks in the DMV.

To finish the work week, Friday will be mostly sunny and breezy, with temperatures in the 30s and a few spots hitting the 40-degree mark.

To finish the work week, Friday will be mostly sunny and breezy. The temperature will stay in the 30s, with a few spots hitting the 40-degree mark. By the weekend, the cold airmass will turn to near-normal December temperatures, as variably cloudy skies are seen.

7-Day Forecast:

Tonight: Mainly clear and cold, with lows dipping into the 20s. Winds lessen. Winds: W 3-8 mph.

Tomorrow: Increasing clouds with highs in the mid-40s. Chance for mountain snow showers late. Winds: S 10-15 mph + Gusts 20-25 mph

Thursday: Early snow for the mountains, some sprinkles with flurries possible in the morning east of the Alleghenies. Gradual clearing mid-morning as winds pick up. Temperatures drop through the afternoon. Highs reach into the mid-40s before falling into the 30s by the middle of the afternoon. Winds: WNW 15-20 mph, gusts to 40 mph, locally higher for the mountains region.

Friday: Mainly sunny, cold, and breezy. Highs near 40, and overnight lows ranging from the mid-teens to the mid-20s. Winds: NW 10-15 mph.

Saturday: It will be mostly sunny. Highs will be in the lower 40s, and overnight lows will range from around 20 degrees to near freezing.

Sunday: Mostly sunny with clouds increasing overnight. Highs are in the upper 40s to lower 50s, and overnight lows range from the upper 20s to the upper 30s.

Monday: Cloudy with scattered rain showers. Highs in the lower to mid-50s, and overnight lows from the upper 30s to the upper 40s.

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with isolated to scattered rain showers. Highs range from 50 to 60 degrees.