After a pleasantly warm March, a chill has decidedly returned to the D.C. area — a trend expected to continue with temperatures dipping below freezing early tomorrow (Wednesday).
The National Weather Service has issued a Freeze Warning for the region, including Fairfax County, that’s scheduled to take effect from 2-9 a.m.
The NWS is currently forecasting a low of 30 degrees tonight, though the warning suggests temperatures could drop into the upper 20s.
“Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing,” the NWS said.
According to the Capital Weather Gang, this would be the latest freeze recorded at Reagan National Airport since 2016, but the timing is more typical for areas west of the Capital Beltway, with Dulles International Airport seeing its last freeze of the season around April 19 on average.
The freezing temperatures overnight will follow a blustery day today (Tuesday), continuing what has been the windiest start to spring in the U.S. since 1977. Per the Capital Weather Gang, March was Virginia’s 15th windiest since records started in 1940.
The full Freeze Warning from the NWS is below.
…FREEZE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM TO 9 AM EDT WEDNESDAY…
* WHAT…Sub-freezing temperatures in the upper 20s and lower 30s.
* WHERE…Along and east of the Interstate 95 corridor in Maryland and northern Virginia, including the Baltimore and Washington metro areas.
* WHEN…From 2 AM to 9 AM EDT Wednesday.
* IMPACTS…Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.
To prevent water pipes from freezing, wrap or drain or allow them to drip slowly.
