The winter storm was moving out of the region on Saturday night, but before it did, it left light snow and some sleet before it changed into all rain for much of the area. Highs were in mid- to upper 30s.

“We could see rain and snow coming down at a pretty good rate at times,” Storm Team4 Meteorologist Amelia Draper said.

Areas to the north and west of the D.C. metro area saw the largest effects of the storm and the most frozen precipitation. Loudoun County, Virginia, public schools canceled on-campus activities and announced administrative officers would be closed Saturday.

Fairfax County and Fauquier County schools in Virginia followed suit, also closing on-campus activities for Saturday. In Maryland, Frederick Community College canceled classes and closed its campus for the day.

Storm Team4 predicts:

• Little to no accumulation in the D.C. metro area
• 1-3 inches of snow north and west of D.C., for Warrenton up through Leesburg to Frederick
• 3 to 6 inches of snow and some ice further north and west, in the I-81 corridor.

Here’s where snow and rain are expected

Red zone: Along the I-81 corridor and up to Frederick County, Maryland is where the storm will have the biggest impacts. Snow is expected to arrive in the morning and continue into the afternoon. Even in this zone, the storm will likely end with rain.

But there’s also the chance for some ice in these areas north and west of D.C., including the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Hagerstown area.

Yellow Zone: Between Washington; most of Fairfax, Montgomery and Prince William counties and down through Stafford and Fauquier counties, expect a wintry mix of rain, freezing rain, sleet and/or snow.

“We’re looking at a mix of rain and snow changing over to all rain by the midday and afternoon hours” on Saturday, Draper said.

Green zone: In southern Maryland, central and southern Prince George’s County and up through Anne Arundel County, you’re dealing with mainly rain.

“Could you see a few snowflakes? Absolutely,” Draper said. “But this is just going to be, for the most part, a rainy chilly day for those of you east of I-95.”

Weather radar

Download the NBC Washington app on Apple and Android to use the weather radar on your mobile device.

Timing and snow totals

By 9 a.m. Saturday, we saw a wintry mix across the area, dropping mainly wet snow around D.C. and areas to the north.

By midday, the rain and snow line was in play right along the I-95 corridor. The D.C. area saw a shift to mostly rain in the afternoon.

But residents further west, in places like Purcelville and Clear Brooke, Virginia; Walkersville and Corriganville, Maryland; and Petersburg, West Virginia, snow began to accumulate by lunchtime.

Rain will exit as we head into nighttime, but there could be a lingering shower or some lingering snow showers out there on Sunday.

We’re talking about a lot of moisture: Nearly an inch of precipitation could fall in D.C. and its immediate suburbs.

Unfortunately for snow lovers, most of this precipitation will be rain.

If this storm system was all snow, we’d be talking about nearly a foot of snow across the area. But surface temperatures will be too warm, among other factors.

Winter weather advisory issued for parts of Maryland and Virginia

A winter weather advisory will be in effect from Saturday morning through the evening in areas all around D.C., including:

• Spotsylvania County, VA
• Orange County, VA
• Greene County, VA
• Culpeper County, VA
• Madison County, VA
• Stafford County, VA
• Central and Southeast Prince William County/Manassas/Manassas Park, VA
• Fairfax County, VA
• Rappahannock County, VA
• Northern Fauquier County, VA
• Northwest Prince William County, VA
• Eastern Loudoun County, VA
• Western Loudoun County, VA
• Central and Southeast Montgomery County, MD
• Central and Southeast Howard County, MD

Roads could be slippery in these areas, the National Weather Service warned.

A winter storm watch was issued for the I-81 corridor, including Winchester and Luray.

In Frederick, Maryland, state police activated the county’s Snow Emergency Plan on Saturday afternoon, designating a series of highways as snow emergency routes and requiring drivers to use snow tires.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

Many residents of the D.C. area could see snowflakes this weekend — but cold rain in the forecast is washing out hopes for a winter wonderland near the Beltway.

Storm Team4 is tracking a winter storm expected throughout Saturday. Some snow is expected Saturday before it changes into all rain for much of the region. Highs will be in the mid- to upper 30s.

“We could see rain and snow coming down at a pretty good rate at times,” Storm Team4 Meteorologist Amelia Draper said.

Areas to the north and west of the D.C. metro area will see the largest effects of the storm. Loudoun County, Virginia, public schools canceled on-campus activities and announced administrative officers would be closed Saturday.

Storm Team4 predicts:

• Little to no accumulation in the D.C. metro area
• 1-3 inches of snow north and west of D.C.
• 3 to 6 inches of snow and some ice in the I-81 corridor.

Here’s where snow and rain are expected

Red zone: Along the I-81 corridor and up to Frederick County, Maryland is where the storm will have the biggest impacts. Snow is expected to arrive in the morning and continue into the afternoon. Even in this zone, the storm will likely end with rain.

But there’s also the chance for some ice in these areas north and west of D.C., including the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Hagerstown area.

Yellow Zone: Between Washington; most of Fairfax, Montgomery and Prince William counties and down through Stafford and Fauquier counties, expect a wintry mix.

“We’re looking at a mix of rain and snow changing over to all rain by the midday and afternoon hours” on Saturday, Draper said.

Green zone: In southern Maryland, central and southern Prince George’s County and up through Anne Arundel County, you’re dealing with mainly rain.

“Could you see a few snowflakes? Absolutely,” Draper said. “But this is just going to be, for the most part, a rainy chilly day for those of you east of I-95.”

Weather radar

Download the NBC Washington app on Apple and Android to use the weather radar on your mobile device.

Timing and snow totals

By 9 a.m. Saturday, we’ll likely have a wintry mix across the area, dropping mainly wet snow around D.C. and areas to the north.

About midday, the rain and snow line is set to be in play right along the I-95 corridor. But the D.C. area can expect a shift to mostly rain in the afternoon.

Rain will exit as we head into nighttime, but there could be a lingering shower or some lingering snow showers out there on Sunday.

We’re talking about a lot of moisture: Nearly an inch of precipitation could fall.

Unfortunately for snow lovers, most of this precipitation will be rain.

If this storm system was all snow, we’d be talking about nearly a foot of snow across the area. But surface temperatures will be too warm, among other factors.

Winter weather advisory issued for parts of Maryland and Virginia

A winter weather advisory will be in effect from Saturday morning through the evening in areas north and west of D.C., including:

• Culpeper County, Virginia
• Fairfax County, Virginia
• Fauquier County, Virginia
• Loudoun County, Virginia
• Prince William County, Virginia
• Spotsylvania County, Virginia
• Stafford County, Virginia
• Howard County, Maryland
• Montgomery County, Maryland

Roads could be slippery in these areas, the National Weather Service warned.

A winter storm watch was issued for the I-81 corridor, including Winchester and Luray.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

Many residents of the D.C. area could see snowflakes this weekend — but the closer we get to Saturday, the less likely it seems that we’ll get much.

Storm Team4 is tracking a winter storm expected throughout Saturday and into early Sunday. A mix of rain, snow and possibly ice is expected during the first half of Saturday, before it changes into all rain for much of the region. Areas to the north and west of the D.C. metro area will see the largest effects of the storm.

The rain-snow line is often a tricky part of winter storm forecasting, and it’s set to be in play in the evolving forecast for this winter storm.

“The big question is: Where is that rain-snow line going to set up?” Storm Team4 Chief Meteorologist Doug Kammerer said.

It’s still too early to talk about possible snow accumulation totals.

Here’s where snow and rain are expected

Storm Team4 Meteorologist Amelia Draper laid out where more snow is expected.

Red Zone: Areas of Maryland and Virginia farther away from the metro area will see the biggest impacts. “This is looking like mainly a snow event for you,” Draper said. The storm may end there as a wintry mix or rain.

These locations include:

• northern Fauquier County, Virginia
• Frederick County, Maryland
• western Loudoun County, Virginia
• upper Montgomery County, Maryland
• Page County, Virginia
• Rappahannock County, Virginia
• Warren County, Virginia

Yellow Zone: The District and parts of Maryland and Virginia bordering the Capital Beltway will get a wintry mix, with snow arriving Saturday morning and then changing over to all rain. Not much snow accumulation is expected.

These areas include:

• D.C.
• Fairfax County, Virginia
• Manassas, Virginia
• lower Montgomery County, Maryland
• northern Prince George’s County, Maryland
• Prince William County, Virginia

Green Zone: Primarily rain, and possibly some snow flurries, are expected in parts of Maryland. These areas include:

• Calvert County
• Charles County
• St. Mary’s County
• southern Prince George’s County

The forecast models differ on where the rain-snow line may fall, but the general consensus is that more snow would fall north and west of D.C.

Rain is more likely farther to the south and east.

Here’s what we know about the storm timing

One computer model says we’ll still be dry at 6 a.m. Saturday and that we’ll see snow in the D.C. metro area toward midday. Rain will move in that afternoon, and the storm system will start to wind down overnight Saturday.

So, will be shoveling snow or skipping tests at school on Monday? As of right now, it doesn’t look likely.

Here’s the forecast for the rest of the workweek

Before the weekend, expect mostly calm and cool weather. High temperatures will be in the 40s, with breezy winds on Thursday. Lows will be in the mid 30s on Thursday and mid 20s on Friday.

Storm Team4 winter weather outlook

If you want snow, and lots of it, Storm Team4’s winter weather outlook said this could be your year.

Storm Team 4 predicted:

• 22″-30″ of snow this winter for the I-95 corridor and the D.C. metro area
• 15″-22″ in our southern zones
• 30″-40″ in the western suburbs

Go here to see the full winter weather outlook.

Weather radar:

Download the NBC Washington app on Apple and Android to use the weather radar on your mobile device.

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Storm Team4 Nov 6, 2023

Storm Team4's winter weather outlook

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

A driver in Montgomery County, Maryland, was rescued from a tree early Monday after getting swept away in high water, and more than 5,500 power outages were reported, officials said.

The driver was on Brighton Dam Road in the Brookeville area about 4:30 a.m. when their car got caught in high water. The driver left the vehicle and was swept downstream, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue said.

That person was holding onto a tree when rescuers arrived shortly after. Boats were sent to help, Montgomery County officials said. Two vehicles were seen in the water, officials said. No serious injuries were reported.

Remember: If you see water on a road, turn around, don’t drown.

Most of the D.C. area picked up 2 to 2.5 inches of rain, making this one of the biggest December rainfalls on record, Storm Team4 Meteorologist Chuck Bell said.

Dulles International Airport clocked 2.27 inches of rain, its third-greatest rainfall total for a 24-hour period in December. Washington Reagan National Airport recorded 2.41 inches, and BWI-Marshall got 2.69 inches.

In Maryland, flooding closed lanes on Route 28 near Avery Road in Rockville and on River Road in Bethesda.

In the District, a huge tree was uprooted by strong winds overnight at Massachusetts Avenue and Upton Road NW. Crews were working to clear the tree from the roadway about 5:30 a.m. Another downed tree and wires also blocked lanes along outbound Canal Road NW. Rock Creek Parkway, Virginia Avenue NW and parts of Beach Drive were closed Monday morning because of flooding.

Storm Team4 declared Weather Alerts for Sunday and Monday. A flood watch was in effect Sunday evening for parts of D.C, Maryland and Virginia, and a flood warning continued through 7 a.m. Monday. A wind advisory is in effect Monday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in parts of D.C, Maryland and Virginia. Go here for all weather alerts.

Expect flooding, high winds Monday

Strong winds will be the biggest weather worry Monday as temperatures slowly drop. The heavy rain has come to an end, but the wind will turn to the northwest and continue gusting to near 40 mph all afternoon.

The weather alert continues Monday due to the high winds. Here’s the Storm Team4 forecast.

“If you are going to bring your umbrella, just know, make sure that it is reinforced, because the wind is really going to be quite an issue,” Bell said.

Bell told drivers to take extra time during their morning commutes due to high or standing water in flood-prone areas. Flood waters were expected to recede in the afternoon.

Power outages

About 2,200 Pepco customers in Chillum, Maryland, and 3,000 Dominion Energy customers in Fairfax, Virginia, were without power as of 5 a.m. You can check Pepco and Dominion Energy power outages online. BGE has not reported outages in the D.C. area.

Sunday storm and rainfall

Sunday began with a special weather statement, warning drivers to be careful on the road for dense fog that lasted into the late morning. Storm Team4 Meteorologist Clay Anderson said it was like pea soup.

Rain began after the fog cleared and gradually increased over the day. It picked up after sunset, and the flood watch went into effect at 6 p.m., Anderson said. Prime time for the heaviest rain and strong winds began Sunday at 4 p.m. and continued overnight before ending early Monday.

Despite it being mid-December, temperatures were on the warm side at about 50° overnight.

Most of the area picked up 2 to 2.5 inches of rain from the storm, Bell said. Some models hinted rainfall could total 3 inches – but that would have been highly unusual for December, Bell said.

Washington’s all-time record for daily rainfall in December is 3.1 inches.

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10-day forecast and Christmas travel outlook

Cold, dry weather will follow the storm and last through most of next week.

The early outlook for Christmas travel is good, with dry weather in the days leading up to the holiday. Christmas Eve is expected to have some sunshine and temps between 34 and 50 degrees.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

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Everything’s coming up sunshine for Friday and Saturday. Expect cold mornings, then high temperatures in the mid-50s. It’ll be great weather for seeing holiday lights or hitting up festive pop-up bars, even as a few clouds roll in on Saturday.

Save your Hallmark movie binge for Sunday, though! And make sure that storm drains, gutters and holiday decorations are ready for the heavy rain and strong winds.

As early as sunrise on Sunday, you may hear some raindrops. A couple of showers and sprinkles aren’t out of the question throughout the morning.

“We are in store for another real soaking of rain,” Storm Team4 Meteorologist Chuck Bell said.

Sunday rainfall totals and timing

The heaviest rain will be most likely between 4 p.m. Sunday and 4 a.m. Monday.

Most of our forecast models agree that 2 inches of rain is likely. Some models are hinting rainfall could total 3 inches – but that would be highly unusual for December, Bell said.

Washington’s all-time record for daily rainfall in December is 3.1 inches.

“I don’t know if we can get all the way to the full on record, but we’ll be close. It’ll be, in all likelihood, one of the [top] five or six rainiest December days on record,” Bell said.

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Whether or not any records get challenged, it will be very wet. If you had any high water issues with last Sunday’s storm, be prepared for more issues with this one.

There may be a small chance for a snowflake at the end, but Storm Team4 doesn’t expect enough to cause any significant delays. It’s not forecast to be like last Monday morning.

But much like last week, the storm is set to race out of the region by Monday afternoon.

10-day forecast and Christmas travel outlook

The remainder of the week is shaping up to be cold with highs in the 40s.

The early outlook for Christmas travel is good, with dry weather in the days leading up to the holiday. Christmas Eve is expected to have some sunshine and temps between 34 and 50 degrees.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

A white coating on grassy areas and some enormous falling snowflakes were seen by early risers.⁠ But don’t expect a long-lasting winter wonderland: Snow was finished before most people took their morning coffee break.

Snow totals ranged from under a half-inch to 1.5 inches in the areas farther outside the Beltway, including Prince William County and upper Montgomery County, according to the National Weather Service.

After a nearly snow-free winter last year – D.C. got a measly 0.4″ all season – drivers had to again wipe snow and sometimes ice off their cars. Some slushiness was seen on roads early Monday.

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Storm Team4's winter weather outlook

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Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesman Pete Piringer cautioned drivers to use caution on untreated roads or elevated surfaces including bridges and overpasses, which could be slick.

Public schools in Frederick, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in Maryland, plus Spotsylvania and Stafford Counties in Virginia were among those who started late because of the snowy weather. Here’s a full list of school delays.

“It looks scarier than it is going to be,” Storm Team4 Meteorologist Chuck Bell said. “On the whole, roads are just wet.”

Temperatures were near-freezing early Monday and forecasted highs are in the mid-40s. By Monday afternoon, clouds will be long gone and blustery wind will take over. Here’s the Storm Team4 forecast.

Little, if any, evidence of snow will be visible by Monday evening, Bell said.

But about 4 a.m., snowflakes were coming down hard in parts of the region.

Photos show a dusting of white in Rockville and thick flakes falling in Waldorf.

By 6 a.m., the snow turned into a wet wintry mix in Upper Marlboro. Snow remained on grassy areas and parked cars, but melted on Maryland Route 301, leaving wet driving conditions.

On Interstate 270 in the Rockville area, slush along the shoulders of the highway was gone and traffic was running as normal, even with wet roads.

Parts of Montgomery County had some of the highest snow totals in the region: Damascus reported 2.5 inches in one reading and Gaithersburg measured about 1.5 inches, according to the National Weather Service.

In Prince William County, Manassas and Dale City reported about an inch of snow. In Fairfax County, Mount Vernon, Vienna and Chantilly each had reports of more than an inch of snowfall.

The snow comes after a rainy Sunday with 1 to 1.5 inches of rain in the D.C. area.

D.C.’s burst of snow came on the early side this year. The average first snowfall occurs on Dec. 20, Storm Team4 Meteorologist Ryan Miller said.

Does that signal a snowy season to come? Maybe.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is currently predicting above-average temperatures for our region this winter, and Storm Team4 agrees with this. They are also predicting above-average precipitation in our region — and we agree with this as well.

El Niño has set up in the equatorial Pacific, and that could lead to more snow, including the potential for some big snowstorms. El Niño has a profound influence on the weather around the globe. In our area, it normally means more snow.

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A flood watch is in effect for excessive rainfall in parts of D.C., Maryland and Virginia until 1 a.m. on Monday. Go here for all weather alerts.

“It’s really the chance of flooding this afternoon that has our concern,” Storm Team4 Meteorologist Ryan Miller said.

Rain began falling early Sunday. Heavy rain began around noon and will continue through midnight. Gusty winds up to 35 mph are possible. 

The greatest potential for flooding is in areas along and east of Interstate 95, Miller said. Close to two inches of rain could fall in the Metro area. 

Temperatures are expected to climb to the lower 60s during the day. A cold front will move into the western viewer area by 7 p.m. This will turn some of the rain into snow overnight and into Monday morning. 

“A very mild day ahead of the cold front that’s ultimately going to give us the colder air,” Miller said. 

Some light snow accumulation may be visible on grassy surfaces in D.C. While the northwestern suburbs could see a bit of snow into the early morning hours, according to Miller. 

There will be precipitation early Monday, but it will quiet down quickly. Expect wet roads during the morning commute.

Stay with News4 for updates for this forecast and check out our weather page for radar and more weather info.

Rain will start in the western counties, including Frederick, Loudoun, Prince William and Fauquier, about 6 p.m. before moving into the D.C. area.

As temperatures fall overnight, there will be a slight chance for some wet snowflakes to mix in with the rain.

Storm Team4 Meteorologist Amelia Draper emphasized there will be no accumulations — if we see snow at all.

“There is that chance it just doesn’t materialize,” Draper said. “It is not going to be a big deal here in the D.C. metro area.”

Any snow we get will immediately melt when it hits the ground, she said.

There’s a slight possibility areas near Interstate-81 like Winchester, Luray and other areas to the west could get a coating.

The highest elevations in far western Maryland and West Virginia are under a winter weather advisory through tomorrow morning for 3 to 6 inches, Draper said.

Aside from the small chance for rain and snow in the morning, Wednesday will be chilly with a high of 44 degrees.

Stay with News4 for updates for this forecast and check out our weather page for radar and more weather info.

But get those waterproof boots and snow shovels ready — because if you want snow, and lots of it, Storm Team4 says this could be your year.

Storm Team 4 is predicting:

• 22″-30″ of snow this winter for the I-95 corridor and the D.C. metro area
• 15″-22″ in our southern zones
• 30″-40″ in the western suburbs

If conditions come together, we could see one or two big snowstorms that really make their mark on the winter of 2023-2024.

We should see an active storm track this winter, with numerous storms that will produce rain at times and snow at other times. Temperatures will be above average for a good chunk of this winter, but there will be cold bouts as well. All of this will add up to the potential for some big East Coast storms.

We expect December to be about average or a little bit above. January will have near to slightly below average temperatures, while February could be our coldest month — and our stormiest.

Recent winters have seen a shortage of snowflakes

Our last blizzard was all the way back in 2016. As one of the biggest snowstorms in D.C. history, it shut down the city for days.

But since then, six out of our past seven winters have seen below-average snowfall. The winter of 2018-2019 was the only time we surpassed the average of 13.7″.

Over these past seven years, we’ve averaged just 6.8″ of snow per year — and in two of those years, we didn’t even get a single inch. The winter of 2019-2020 saw just 0.6″, and last winter was one of the least snowy of all time, with a measly 0.4″. Last winter was also one of the warmest of all time.

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A snowy outlook for winter of 2023-2024

It has been either feast or famine when it comes to snow over the last few years, but lately it’s been more famine.

Now, as we look toward the winter of 2023-2024, we could be feasting quite a bit more.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is currently predicting above-average temperatures for our region this winter, and we agree with this. They are also predicting above-average precipitation in our region — and we agree with this as well.

El Niño has set up in the equatorial Pacific, and that could lead to more snow, including the potential for some big snowstorms. El Niño has a profound influence on the weather around the globe. In our area, it normally means more snow, but let’s dive into the details.

What to know about El Niño’s effect on winters in the DC area

This developing El Niño is looking to be a strong one. Looking at previous years with similar conditions, the D.C. area has hit the jackpot in regards to snowfall almost every time.

We reviewed four similar El Niño winters: 1957-1958, 1965-1966, 1972-1973 and 1982-1983. The average snowfall over those four winters was 24″ — but we said we hit the jackpot only almost every time. The winter of 1972-1973 was actually our least snowy winter on record, with just 0.1″. While El Niño might have been similar that year, other factors are not, and Storm Team4 is taking that year out of the equation.

So over those other El Niño winters (1957-1958, 1965-1966 and 1982-1983), we got an average of 32.1″ per winter. That’s a big number — and Storm Team4 expects a big winter.

Other factors involved in predicting a snowy winter

There are numerous other factors at play in addition to El Niño. For example, warm water in the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico should help produce more moisture during storms in the D.C. area. The warm water of the Pacific should also help to bring more moisture in from the west.

Another factor to consider is Siberian snow cover in October and early November. Normally, cold and snowy weather there during this time period could mean a colder-than-average winter for us and one with more snow. This year, snowfall in that area of the world has been a little late, but it’s starting now to really increase.

Storm Team4 also reviews something called the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation (QBO). This takes a look at winds in the stratosphere. Currently, the QBO is negative. When this happens, we look for more cold weather outbreaks in the eastern U.S., and that could lead to more snow.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

Here’s a big-picture look at Storm Team4’s fall forecast and fall foliage forecast.

First, here’s a look at the leaves

Temperatures, sun exposure and rainfall affect the length and brilliance of fall color. For vivid color, the ideal conditions are bright, warm days and cool nights.

Drought and heat lead to stressed trees. Stressed trees produce dull colors and drop their leaves early.

Unfortunately, many trees in our area are stressed, and we’re already seeing signs of early leaf drop in some places.

This map from the site Explore Fall shows the fall foliage stress outlook, based on soil moisture and temperature anomalies.

The darker color indicates high foliage stress. Areas with high stress and moderate stress trees can be seen outside the D.C. metropolitan area.

The U.S. Drought Monitor also echoes the concern for stressed trees, with areas north and west of D.C. in moderate to severe drought.

“Factor in 2023 as one of warmest years on record, and by the time we typically expect peak color around Halloween, a lot of the leaves could be brown or off the trees,” Draper said.

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Here’s Storm Team4’s forecast for the fall

October is set to have temperatures below average, and above average precipitation, Storm Team4 Chief Meteorologist Doug Kammerer said. A coastal storm or nor’easter could hit in the second or third week in October, with lots of rainfall.

November is expected to have about average temperatures and precipitation.

The heat wave is expected to bring record-breaking temperatures and a heat index about 100 degrees, according to Storm Team4. A hot weather emergency plan is activated in D.C. through Thursday.

Pools in the District are typically open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Due to the excessive heat, the Oxon Run pool and the pool at Hearst Recreation Center will remain open until Sept. 21.

DC pools open during September

Oxon Run Pool is located at 501 Mississippi Avenue SE, about a mile from the Congress Heights Metro station. It is closed on Mondays, but open Tuesday to Friday from noon to 8 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The pool at the Hearst Recreation Center is located at 3701 37th Street NW, about 0.8 miles from the Clevland Park Metro station. It is open Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

DC spray parks open during September

Eighteen of the District’s spray parks are staying open until Sept. 21. The kid-friendly fountains can help residents beat the heat from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. See the locations below:

Ward 1

• 14th & Park Road (Columbia Heights Civic Plaza): 14th Street & Park Road, NW | 20011
• Harrison Recreation Center: 1330 V Street, NW | 20009
• Park at LeDroit: 319 Oakdale Place, NW | 20001

Ward 2

• Kennedy Recreation Center: 1401 7th Street, NW | 20005

Ward 3

• Chevy Chase Recreation Center: 5500 41st Street, NW | 20015
• Guy Mason Recreation Center: 3600 Calvert Street, NW | 20007
• Macomb Recreation Center: 3409 Macomb Street, NW | 20016

Ward 4

• Takoma Community Center: 300 Van Buren Street, NW | 20012
• Lafayette-Pointer Recreation Center: 5900 33rd Street, NW | 20015
• Petworth Recreation Center: 801 Taylor Street, NW | 20011

Ward 5

• Edgewood Recreation Center: 3rd & Evarts Street, NE | 20002
• Turkey Thicket Recreation Center: 1100 Michigan Avenue, NE | 20017

Ward 6

• Eastern Market Metro Park: 701 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE | 20003
• Watkins Spray Park: 420 12th Street, SE | 20003

Ward 7

• Hillcrest Recreation Center: 3100 Denver Street, SE | 20020
• Fort Davis Spray Park: 1400 41st Street, SE | 20020
• Marvin Gaye Park at Division Avenue: Division & Foote Streets, NE | 20019
• Marvin Gaye Recreation Center: 6201 Banks Place, NE | 20019

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Storm Team4 5 hours ago

Storm Team4 forecast: Weather alert for wintry mix of snow, rain on Saturday

District leaders are urging everyone to be weather alert during the extreme heat. Heat is dangerous for vulnerable populations and residents are reminded to check on elderly neighbors, children and pets.

If exercising outdoors, do so early in the morning or in the evening. Be sure to hydrate and stay in the shade when outside.

Cooling centers are available for people without air conditioning. Click here to find a cooling center.

An inch or two of rain prompted a flash flood warning for southeastern Fairfax County, but that has been canceled.

The chance of rain remains into late evening.

Severe storms hit the D.C. area on Monday, drowning dogs at a flooded doggy day care in Northeast D.C. and leaving drivers stranded in their cars in high water in Alexandria and Springfield, Virginia.

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“It’s hard to watch; it’s unbearable,” D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said. “This is losing a member of your family or being scared that you did.”

Pet owners, some in tears, waited outside District Dogs to be reunited with their pets as firefighters carried soaked animals out of the facility on Rhode Island Avenue.

Water rose 6 feet up the front of the building before a wall collapsed and water rushed inside.

“As a result of that, we’ve had some fatalities for the dogs,” D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said.

The deceased dogs’ families are being notified of the tragedy. One woman spoke to News4’s sister station Telemundo 44 in Spanish about losing her “baby.”

The owner, who declined to provide her name, said her dog Mona had arrived in her life a year ago. She dropped her off at District Dogs on Monday before work, like she did everyday, not knowing it would be for the last time.

“I was coming to pick her up to take her home, and that’s when I saw many ambulances, the firefighters,” she said. “When I got close, that’s when I saw all the people also waiting for their dogs who told me about the situation.”

“The owner came up to me and told me that they had already removed all the ones that survived, and that the ones that were in the rooms were dead,” she added.

Firefighters had to break through drywall to let water out of the building and rescue seven employees and 20 dogs.

“I had only started leaving her there like two months ago. I would drop her off since she was mischievous. She liked to get into anything at home. She’d destroy everything,” Mona’s owner said.

Though she’s still processing her grief, the woman said she hasn’t ruled out the possibility of legal action against the day care.

“She was my little thing, she was my baby… He’s got to accept consequences for not having a safe space for the dogs,” she said. “I paid $700 a month for them to take care of her.”

Donnelly called the employees heroes who did everything they could to save the dogs.

Pet owners said they were told the dogs were moved to an elevated area as the building flooded.

“I ran down here as fast as I could,” pet owner Caroline Kruk said at the scene.

She rushed down to District Dogs after seeing a video of her dog, Emmy, being rescued. 

“[I felt] just relief, pure relief when I saw her little head come out over the barrier, just knowing that she’s OK,” Kruk said. 

Although she is grateful her pet is OK, she said her heart breaks for the other pet owners who weren’t so lucky.

District Dogs, which offers day care, grooming and boarding services, also was damaged by floodwaters in August 2022, and the owner pleaded with the city to do something about the flood-prone area.

District Dogs Owner Jacob Hensley released a statement on social media that read in part:

“The District Dogs family is heartbroken over the events that occurred at our Rhode Island Avenue location this evening. We appreciate the quick heroic actions of our employees and first responders to rescue animals.”

DC Water said a tunnel that should help with flooding in the area is expected to open in two months.

Five cars and a truck became disabled in floodwaters under the Rhode Island Avenue railway bridge.

D.C. Fire and EMS rescued 20 people in the area, including 10 at District Dogs.

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Heavy rain, powerful winds and hail battered parts of the area Monday afternoon. News4 received reports of drivers stranded because of high water, including in the city of Fairfax.

Flash flooding was a major concern as multiple inches of rain fell quickly, Storm Team4 Meteorologist Amelia Draper said.

A flood watch was in effect for D.C. and parts of Maryland and Virginia until 2 a.m.

D.C. Fire and EMS responded to reports of cars under water and people stranded on top of cars in the 600 block of Rhode Island Avenue NE.

District Dogs, which offers a dog spa, day care, boarding and grooming services, flooded again just over a year after floodwaters trashed the business. Firefighters carried soaked dogs out of the facility as apparent dog owners waited outside, but multiple pets died.

“We’ve had some fatalities for the dogs,” D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said.

Flash flooding of 2 to 4 inches was reported in Alexandria and Springfield, the National Weather Service said. People reported being stranded in their cars in water at least 2 feet deep.

In Alexandria, Duke Street at Daingerfield Road was closed because of high water. People were being rescued as multiple vehicles were stuck in high water, officials said.

In Fairfax, Old Keene Mill Road was closed at Rolling Road. People were stranded in cars.

In Arlington, Columbia Pike was closed at South Greenbrier Street due to water flowing across the road. Video shows drivers and a bus passing through high water on Columbia Pike.

An 80-year-old woman was rescued from her car stuck in flooding on Upshur Road in Bladensburg, Maryland. Her son, who came to pick her up, told News4 she was driving when she came upon the flooded roadway.

The area has flooded in the past. Her car remained on the road until the water receded.

As always, never drive through high water. Turn around — don’t drown.

Tornado warnings were in effect and later expired for parts of Arlington, Charles, and Fairfax counties, plus Alexandria.

A wind gust of 58 mph was recorded at Reagan National Airport, the National Weather Service said.

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Severe storms swept through the area, bringing heavy rain, powerful winds and tornado warnings. Forecasters warned of the highest Severe Weather Outlook in 10 years.

A heart-stopping video taken from inside a car shows the moment that fierce winds knocked down power poles like dominoes, sending them crashing onto the highway not far from vehicles whose drivers had nowhere to go. No one was hurt.

The power lines fell onto Route 140 in Westminster at about 6 p.m., trapping 33 people — including 14 children — inside cars for over five hours while crews from BGE worked to de-energize the power lines, authorities said.

Contact with downed power lines can lead to injury or even death, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation.

Jeffrey Campbell said he was stuck in his car for hours and finally got out at about 11 p.m. But he had to leave his car behind, as it was still trapped by downed poles.

In all, more than 30 power poles were broken by straight-line winds during the storms, BGE officials said.

Cars remained empty and stranded on the road as of Tuesday morning. Route 140 will stay closed as crews pull the posts off the road. Detours may be in place for days.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore traveled to the area to survey the damage and talk with first responders.

He thanked the first responders, utility workers and people in the community who helped those stuck in their vehicles. He mentioned the bus drivers who waited to drive people home and the local school that stayed open to provide shelter and meals.

“This is what Maryland does. This is what the pride and the support of Maryland looks like,” Moore said. “And what we saw last night and into today was Maryland at its best. A Maryland who works together, a Maryland who comes together as one team and with one mission.”

This is a developing story. Stay with News4 for more updates.

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Here’s 4 things to know:

⚠️ Stunning video from Carroll County, Maryland, taken from inside a car shows powerful wind knocking down multiple power lines onto a busy highway, stranding dozens of people inside their vehicles.

⚠️Tornado warnings popped up in parts of Virginia hours after the National Weather Service advised people that twisters were possible in the D.C. area. Severe weather advisories, including an overnight flash flood watch, were all over by Tuesday morning. See all severe weather alerts here.

⚠️ Never drive through standing water. Be especially careful at night, when it’s harder to recognize flood dangers.

⚠️ Multiple trees and power lines came down around the region. Thousands of people were left without power overnight.

30+ Power Lines Fall Onto Roads in Carroll County, Maryland

Outside the D.C. area, other parts of Maryland were left in much worse shape after Monday night’s storms. In Harford County, the sheriff’s office had to rescue a woman when a tree fell onto her home. The damage is also extensive in Baltimore County and along parts of the Eastern Shore.

In Carroll County, power lines fell onto Route 140 in Westminster, trapping 33 people — including 14 children — inside their cars, authorities said.

Heart-stopping video taken from inside a car shows the moment that fierce winds knocked down power poles like dominoes, sending them crashing onto the highway not far from vehicles whose drivers had nowhere to go. Fortunately, no one was hurt.

Jeffrey Campbell said he was stuck in his car for hours and just got out around 11 p.m. But he had to leave his car behind, as it was still trapped by those downed poles.

In all, more than 30 power poles were broken by straight-line winds during the storms, BGE officials said. Route 140 will be closed while crews pull the posts off the road. Detours may be in place for days there.

Thousands of Homes Left in the Dark

Across the region, the storms knocked out power to tens of thousands of people, although service has been restored already in many of those communities.

Crews worked overnight Monday to restore power. By the morning, a tree that took down powerlines remained strewn across Zion Drive in Fairfax County, Virginia.

As of about 6 a.m. Tuesday, BGE was still working to restore power to about 53,000 customers.

About 11,500 Dominion Virginia customers were still in the dark, down from more than 50,000 at the height of the outages.

Pepco reported just 11 customers still without power, down from 400 at 11 p.m. Monday.

‘An Absolute Deluge Here’

Torrential but fast-moving rain fell across the region as lightning flashed and the Capitol dome stood out against a dramatic sky. Some people found piles of hailstones on sidewalks.

“It’s like the Fourth of July with lightning strikes popping off in every direction,” NBC4 photographer Nick Leimbach said near Leesburg about 5:30 p.m.

At Interstate 66 and Route 15 in Haymarket, Northern Virginia Bureau Chief Julie Carey saw an intense downpour with thunder, lightning and high winds. She was set up at a Sheetz gas station full of people taking cover.

“The flags, the trees — they are whipping,” Carey said. “Just an absolute deluge here. We’ve seen a very dark front line come through. It’s almost like night before the sky opened up and it started to fall, pour.”

Multiple roads were closed in Brandywine, Maryland, due to fallen trees. One tree fell at the intersection of Forum Drive and Government Center Parkway in Fairfax County, and another was down in the street in the 24000 block of River Road in Montgomery County.

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Workers rushed home Monday afternoon after a tornado watch was issued for the District and parts of Maryland and Virginia, as skies began to darken and winds picked up. That tornado watch ended at 9 p.m., and tornado warnings for several counties, including Fauquier, Loudoun and Spotsylvania, also expired. Several severe thunderstorm warnings also were issued for spots around the region.

Ahead of the storms, forecasters had warned of a higher Severe Weather Outlook than we’d had in 10 years.

“You want to prepare for derecho-like damage,” Draper said, referring to the 2012 storm that brought 70 to 90 mph winds, ripped off roofs, destroyed cars, knocked out power, tore down thousands of trees and sent temperatures soaring to 100 degrees.

The National Weather Service issued tornado watches up and down the East Coast, from Alabama to New York, officials said Monday afternoon.

Flights were routed around the storms as much as possible, the FAA said.

Government offices, as well as some colleges and schools, closed early as a precaution:

• The federal government closed all its offices in the D.C. area, including the Pentagon, telling employees to leave by 3 p.m.
• Loudoun County Public Schools closed all schools and facilities at 3:30 p.m. and canceled after-school activities.
• The University of Maryland College Park campus and George Mason University in Fairfax also closed early.
• So did all D.C. Public Library branches.

At Nationals Park, gates opened at 4:30 p.m. for Monday night’s Pink concert, but guests were told to stay in the concourse until the storms passed. Photos showed scores of fans crowded together under cover and a sea of empty seats in the ballpark.

Concert goers waited more than three hours before skies cleared enough for them to be safely seated.

It’s been a little more than a week since punishing storms on July 29 knocked out power for many residents and ripped huge trees from the ground.

Flash Flood Warnings Issued as Overnight Rain Continues

Monday evening’s storms were fast-moving, Storm Team4 Meteorologist Amelia Draper said. Although the evening rain was heavy, it moved through so quickly that flooding was not an immediate concern.

However, pockets of rain are continuing into the early overnight hours.

⚠️ A flash flood warning was issued for much of the metro area, including the District; Alexandria, Arlington, Falls Church and Fairfax County, Virginia; and Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in Maryland. That warning was expected to expire at 2:45 a.m. Tuesday.

Remember to never drive through standing water.

Weather.gov shared the following warnings and tips:

• Road beds may be washed out under floodwaters. Never drive through flooded roadways — you don’t know the condition of the road under the water.
• Be especially careful at night, when it’s harder to recognize flood dangers.
• Don’t walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.
• If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do it safely. You and your car can be quickly swept away.
• Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing you to lose control and possibly stall your car. A foot of water will cause many vehicles to float.
• Know that creeks and streams can rise very rapidly during heavy rainfall.

News4’s Darcy Spencer reported some standing water on some roads in Prince George’s County.

The region will continue to have some pockets of heavy rain moving through the early overnight hours, with the chance for rain until about 6 to 7 a.m. Tuesday, when a cold front will finally move through. That front will lower the humidity levels, and while the severe threat is over, heavy rain is still possible.

It will still be humid out there very early Tuesday morning, but toward 8 to 10 a.m., the cold front should clear that up. The humidity levels will drop throughout the day, and it should turn out to be a fabulous Tuesday. The day should be dry with plenty of sunshine and a high of 84 degrees, about five degrees below normal.

Looking at the humidity levels these next few days, Tuesday and Wednesday should be comfortable. Our next chance for rain and storms comes on Thursday.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

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Heavy rain, powerful wind and lightning swept through the D.C. area Monday evening, leaving damage and power outages in their wake. Fallen trees blocked roads, and golf ball-sized hail clattered to the ground in both Maryland and Virginia.

“It’s like the Fourth of July with lightning strikes popping off in every direction,” NBC4 photographer Nick Leimbach said near Leesburg about 5:30 p.m.

Dominion Virginia reported more than 50,000 customers without power at one point Monday evening, although the number has been dropping since then.

Workers rushed home early Monday afternoon after a tornado watch was issued for the District and parts of Maryland and Virginia, as skies began to darken and winds picked up. The tornado watch ended at 9 p.m., and tornado warnings for several counties, including Fauquier, Loudoun and Spotsylvania, also have expired.

Several severe thunderstorm warnings also were issued for spots around the region. See all severe weather alerts here.

The storms were fast-moving, Storm Team4 Meteorologist Amelia Draper said. Although the rain was heavy, it moved through so quickly that flooding was not a huge concern, she said.

News4’s Darcy Spencer reported some standing water on some roads in Prince George’s County but said she hadn’t encountered any major flooding.

However, multiple trees and power lines came down around the region.

Multiple roads were closed in Brandywine, Maryland, due to fallen trees. One tree fell at the intersection of Forum Drive and Government Center Parkway in Fairfax County, and another was down in the street in the 24000 block of River Road in Montgomery County.

‘An Absolute Deluge Here’

At Interstate 66 and Route 15 in Haymarket, Northern Virginia Bureau Chief Julie Carey saw an intense downpour with thunder, lightning and high winds. She was set up at a Sheetz gas station full of people taking cover.

“The flags, the trees — they are whipping,” Carey said. “Just an absolute deluge here. We’ve seen a very dark front line come through. It’s almost like night before the sky opened up and it started to fall, pour.”

“It’s a little striking how many people are out in this,” Carey said about 5:30 p.m. “Unfortunately, a lot of people still on the road.”

The National Weather Service issued tornado watches up and down the East Coast, from Alabama to New York, officials said Monday afternoon.

Flights were routed around the storms as much as possible, the FAA said.

Federal Offices Closed Early; Concert at Nats Park Delayed for Hours

Ahead of the storms, forecasters had warned of a higher Severe Weather Outlook than we’d had in 10 years.

“You want to prepare for derecho-like damage,” Draper said, referring to the 2012 storm that brought 70 to 90 mph winds, ripped off roofs, destroyed cars, knocked out power, tore down thousands of trees and sent temperatures soaring to 100 degrees.

Government offices, as well as some colleges and schools, closed early as a precaution:

• The federal government closed all its offices in the D.C. area, including the Pentagon, telling employees to leave by 3 p.m.
• Loudoun County Public Schools closed all schools and facilities at 3:30 p.m. and canceled after-school activities.
• The University of Maryland College Park campus and George Mason University in Fairfax also closed early.
• So did all D.C. Public Library branches.

Virginia’s transportation department warned drivers to be especially careful on roads, including by obeying road closure signs, avoiding debris and never driving into high water.

At Nationals Park, gates opened at 4:30 p.m. for Monday night’s Pink concert, but guests were told to stay in the concourse until the storms passed. Photos showed scores of fans crowded together under cover and a sea of empty seats in the ballpark.

Concert goers waited more than three hours before skies cleared enough for them to be safely seated.

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It’s been a little more than a week since punishing storms on July 29 knocked out power for many residents and ripped huge trees from the ground.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

Secure lawn furniture or other items that might blow around in wind.

In case the power goes out, charge your devices ahead of time and consider filling a cooler with ice. Keep important items such as flashlights, water bottles and medication in easy-to-find spots.

Decide how you’ll receive emergency alerts, such as a tornado warning, and plan where you’ll go for safety.

If you hear thunder: Go inside. Ready.gov has more tips to help you stay safe from thunderstorms and lightning.

In a tornado: The safest places are a basement or storm cellar (or, of course, a safe room, if you have one). If you don’t have a basement, find a small, interior room on the lowest level, according to Ready.gov. Here’s more advice on tornado preparations.

Ready.gov also recommends that you save your phone calls for emergencies, as phone systems are often down or busy after severe storms or other disasters. Communicate with family and friends via text or social media instead.

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“We extend our sincere appreciation to the public for their patience and understanding during this closure period,” George Washington Memorial Parkway superintendent Charles Cuvelier said in a release.

Crews have been working to clear the fallen trees and hazardous limbs from on and near the roadway and the trails alongside the parkway.

“If there are not downed trees in those areas, blocking paths, there could be broken limbs that pose a risk to not only travelers but some of our people who enjoy our parks as well,” said Christopher Hershey of the National Park Service.

The National Park Service said it had to call in extra crews to help with the cleanup.

“Yesterday, crews removed 250-325 hazardous trees, resulting in 100 dump-truck and 15 chipper-truck loads, and more than 500 tons of wood and debris,” George Washington Memorial Parkway Superintendent Charles Cuvelier said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. 

Drivers are encouraged by NPS to use caution when driving in the three lanes of the north parkway rehabilitation project.

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The storm’s heavy winds brought down trees and power lines on Saturday across D.C., Maryland and Virginia. Crews have worked to fix infrastructure such as broken poles and transformers that need to be replaced as well as remove downed trees.

Portions of GW Parkway may be closed for three or four days, the National Park Service said at about midday Monday. Here’s what they said drivers will see:

• “The North Parkway, from Spout Run Parkway to I-495, remains closed, except for the northbound lanes from Route 123 to I-495
• The southbound lanes of the Spout Run Parkway are also closed”

Crews are working to clear fallen trees and hazardous, broken limbs from on and near the roadway.

“To enhance and expedite the restoration process, George Washington Memorial Parkway has deployed a total of five crews, including its own team, assistance from the National Capital Parks-East (NACE), and three additional emergency contracting crews,” the Park Service said in a statement.

In D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser and the emergency management director surveyed storm damage on Monday. Do not step on, drive over or move fallen power lines, the mayor said.

Virginia man killed by fallen tree

While most Northern Virginians wait for repairs to replaceable possessions, a Prince William County family lost one thing that can never be replaced.

Husband and father Allan Lee was killed when a massive tree came down on their Montclair home.

A tree removal crew knocked another large piece of tree onto their home Monday.

Neighbors have organized an online fundraiser to support the Lee family.

Power back for customers

“We have restored 90% so far who were impacted by the storm, but there still is a lot of significant amount of remaining customers,” Pepco Communications Manager Addie Kauzlarich said.

Pepco and Dominion Energy made major progress Monday night. Pepco has just 600 customers without power in Montgomery County and 900 in D.C.

Dominion Energy restored all power to customers in Arlington.

Kauzlarich told News4 the utility estimates that all service will be restored by 3 p.m. Tuesday.

At the height of the storm, about 30,000 Dominion Energy customers were left in the dark, spokesperson Peggy Fox said.

Arlington residents rallied around Toby’s Homemade Ice Cream & Coffee Shop in Westover, which lost power and was about to lose all of its product. They posted on social media asking the community to endure the powerless business so their powerless business could endure.

“Before you knew it, we were packed in here,” Toby Bantug said. “Line all the way around the back, looping out the front, out the door, and then a little bit up the block, and I was like, oh my gosh, this is insane.”

“That’s how Westover can really come together in times like that,” he said.

‘I started sobbing’

Trees fell on top of the Sower family’s home in the Foxhall-Palisades area of Northwest D.C. The trees punctured a hole in the roof and knocked down a chimney.

A second tree landed on top of the family’s car. The weight of a third tree snapped a power pole on the street in half.

The father and son were at home when the storm went through and the trees fell down. The father said it was scary, like the windows could shatter.

“It went into hurricane mode where, super scary, [it] felt like the windows might pop. And then we heard a loud kind of boom with the trees falling,” Clever Sower said. “And we actually saw this tree fall right into the living room on top of us, grabbed the kids’ and kind of ran into the back.”

“I had to park down there, and I didn’t even have a rain jacket. I’m just running through the rain, and I walked up to the house and I just — I’m not a crier and I started sobbing because our life was going to change a lot,” Emily Sower said.

In Rockville, strong winds ripped off part of a wall of The Original Pancake House. The restaurant was closed when the damage occurred. They were able to reopen early Sunday.

A playground in Rocky Run Park in Clarendon, Virginia, was closed Monday because of fallen tree limbs and scattered branches. Nearby, a car was crushed by a tree, and the wind knocked down a tree along with part of a sidewalk.

Arlington County Parks and Recreation said they have about 150 locations with storm damage.  

Stay with NBC Washington for more details on this developing story.

The northbound parkway remains closed from Spout Run Parkway to Interstate 495 except for the northbound lanes from Route 123 to I-495. The southbound lanes of the Spout Run Parkway are also closed.

Crews are working to clear fallen trees and hazardous, broken limbs from on and near the roadway. The trails alongside the parkway also needs to be cleaned up.

“If there are not downed trees in those areas, blocking paths, there could be broken limbs that pose a risk to not only travelers but some of our people who enjoy our parks as well,” said Christopher Hershey of the National Park Service.

The National Park Service said it had to call in extra crews to help with the cleanup.

Cars were diverted left off the parkway with orange cones at Spout Run Parkway during Monday morning’s commute.

NPS reported that numerous trees fell across the Clara Barton Parkway in Maryland.

Fallen trees remained strewn across roads in Northwest D.C. on Monday morning.

On Arizona Avenue off of Loughboro Road NW, a pole with power lines and a transformer was snapped in half. Loughboro Road was filled with downed power lines and tree branch debris.

A large tree with roots taller than a person laid across Massachusetts Avenue NW near Sheridan Circle.

D.C.’s Mayor Muriel Bowser said 311 has received more than 500 calls since Saturday asking for help with tree removal.

Drivers are advised to expect delays.

This is a developing story. Stay with News4 for more updates.

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The victim was 44-year-old Kenneth Allan Lee Jr. His wife says said he was showering in their Prince William County home when the tree fell at about 5:30 p.m on Saturday. He was a web designer with the Marine and Family Programs Division at Quantico.

Lee was a fantastic father and a wonderful husband who will be greatly missed, his wife said.

A tree removal crew knocked another large piece of tree onto the family’s home Monday.

Neighbors have organized an online fundraiser to support the Lee family.

Thousands remain without power and roads were closed Sunday after the storm.

The cold front that moved in Saturday to offer relief from three days of extreme heat and humidity interacted with that heat and humidity to create powerful storms that left more than 200,000 customers without power in D.C., Maryland and Virginia at one point.

A large tree fell on a car in the 2900 block of Foxhall Road NW in D.C., injuring two people. One is in serious condition, the other has minor injuries.

The collapsed treed smashed in a Mazda’s windshield and covered it with leaves and branches.

A neighbor said it was the worst storm he has seen in the area in 18 years.

“You can’t take 21st-century living for granted. I mean it’s, mother nature rules whether its sun, heat or snow,” the neighbor said. “And again, mother nature came through with a ferocious storm.”

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

The cold front that moved in Saturday to offer relief from three days of extreme heat and humidity interacted with that heat and humidity to create powerful storms that left more than 200,000 customers without power in D.C., Maryland and Virginia at one point.

As of about 8 a.m. Sunday, Pepco was reporting more than 17,000 customers were still without power. Dominion was reporting almost 30,000 customers still in the dark. BGE reported more than 10,000, SMECO reported more than 11,000, and MonPower reported about 200.

A spokesperson for Dominion Energy says the goal is to have power restored to the majority of customers in Northern Virginia by 11 p.m. on Sunday, but did admit that there may be some customers who might have to wait until Monday due to the sheer number of calls they’ve had to respond.

Downed trees cause damage across the region

There were numerous reports of fallen trees and branches. Several roads remained blocked by trees as of Sunday morning.

A Virginia man was killed when a tree crashed down on his home. The victim was 44-year-old Kenneth Allan Lee Jr. His wife says said he was showering in their Prince William County home when the tree fell at about 5:30 p.m on Saturday.

A tree fell on an apartment building in the 1200 block of Queen Street NE in D.C. Firefighters are checking for structural damage and evacuating residents. No injuries were reported.

Monday commuters may be affected by the damage. Many trees fell across the George Washington Memorial Parkway, the National Park Service said. It is closed from Spout Run Parkway to the Beltway as crews remove trees and will remain closed until an assessment is complete.

NPS also reported that numerous trees fell across the Clara Barton Parkway in Maryland.

In the 3200 block of Wisconsin Avenue NW, the roof of a 31-unit apartment building was torn off during the storms. Residents were evacuated, and no one was injured.

After the storms whipped through, the National Zoo announced it will be closed Sunday for clean up.

A video captured by Storm Team4’s Ryan Miller shows an electrical fire caused by downed tree limbs and power lines on Foxhall Road and Garfield Street NW. In the video, the lines can be heard buzzing as the fire burns above the street.

Storm damage recovery

The D.C. area began storm cleanup on Sunday with clear weather. Temperatures were cooler with highs only reaching the mid-80s and a steady drop in humidity during the afternoon.

People carefully moved around a tree that fell across a lane in the 3800 block of Wisconsin Avenue NW. Chainsaws whirred while people cleared fallen branches.

Nearby Annunciation Catholic Church continued services without electricity. One of its members said it was divine intervention that protected the church from falling tree limbs.

“That huge limb off of the tree could have landed on that beautiful church. And, I come here early Sunday mornings, I go ahead and get the church ready for mass, we have no electricity, we couldn’t make coffee, so we had to get coffee from another firm,” church member Joe Fiorillo said. “And people showed up, about the same amount of people that normally come to eight o’clock mass were here today.”

The D.C. Office of Unified Communications tweeted they had received more than 125 reports of downed trees as of 10:45 p.m. on Saturday.

DC Fire and EMS tweeted that they responded to 317 storm-related calls between 5 and 8:45 p.m. on Saturday.

Extreme storms on the East Coast followed a national heatwave that has swept from west to east in July. On Thursday, 60% of the U.S., or 200 million people, were placed under a heat advisory or flood warning or watch, according to the National Weather Service. 

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

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The heat index, or the “feels-like” temperature, is what it feels like to the body when humidity is combined with the heat.

The human body likes to stay at 98.6 degrees. Sometimes we get hotter internally, such as when we’re working out, spending time in the hot sun or have a fever. When the body gets too hot, it sweats. The sweat evaporates from us and takes away the extra heat with it. Evaporation is a cooling process. But on a humid day, sweat is not able to evaporate from the body efficiently, and the body can’t cool down as easily.

That is why meteorologists show the heat index along with the air temperature. It helps to tell the whole story.

The heat index is calculated by combining the air temperature with the relative humidity. You may not find the heat index on the thermometer, but it’s an important factor during the summer months.

Be sure to practice heat safety and listen to your local meteorologists to understand the risks and impacts of the summer heat.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

1. WEATHER ALERT: Wintry Weather to Rain in the Metro
2. WEATHER ALERT: Wintry Weather all day NW Suburbs
3. Rain ends into the early evening
4. Dry and brighter Sunday

A winter storm watch has been issued for areas along and west of the Blue Ridge, including the I-81 corridor, in advance of Saturday’s snow chance. The D.C. metro area and I-95 corridor are NOT included.

Saturday will be a cold, wet, messy day no matter where in the DMV you live or travel.

Precipitation, mostly snow, began around daybreak Saturday. Even the D.C. metro could get a coating of snow before changing to moderate to heavy rain.

Our northwestern suburbs, from Warrenton to Dulles, Leesburg, Gaithersburg and Columbia, could get 2″-3″ inches of snow before rain starts to dominate.

Some slushy roads will be possible from late morning onward.

The main area of concern will be in the Shenandoah Valley where 3 to 6 inches of snow will be possible in addition to periods of sleet, freezing rain and rain. Travel along I-81 could be quite difficult at times all day Saturday.

The rain and snow will taper off by sunrise on Sunday and temperatures Sunday afternoon should be above freezing for the entire area. Roads should be mainly dry by sundown on Sunday.

Weather radar:

Download the NBC Washington app on Apple and Android to use the weather radar on your mobile device.

Most areas will be below freezing on Monday morning, so any run-off could re-freeze and lead to some travel and school delays.

Monday will be dry ahead of another heavy rain storm on Tuesday. That storm will be all rain from start to finish for our entire area.

Stay with NBC Washington for frequent updates.

10-Day Forecast:

Quickcast:

TODAY:
Snow to Mix to Rain | All frozen precip NW of D.C.
HIGHS: Near 40F

TONIGHT:
Mostly Cloudy
Temps: 30s Area Wide

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SUNDAY:
Partly Sunny
HIGHS: Upper 40s

MONDAY:
Increasing Clouds
HIGHS: Middle 40s

TUESDAY:
Rain | Windy
HIGHS: Middle 50s

Sunrise: 7:27 a.m. | Sunset: 5:01 p.m.
Average High: 45° | Average Low: 31°

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

Every summer, Doug takes his forecast on the road to several lucky viewers’ backyards.

We’re looking for locations where the neighborhood will come out and spend a beautiful sunny afternoon with Storm Team4.

Email us at isee@nbcwashington.com to tell us why Doug should come to your house and submit a picture of your backyard and we may come to you!

The haze is smoke from over 100 active wildfires burning in Alberta, Canada, in the last week. The fires have caused more than 24,000 people to be evacuated from the area, NBC News reported Saturday.

The Canadian wildfire smoke blew into the D.C. area on a northwest flow while suspended in the mid-levels of the atmosphere, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

More than 1,500 square miles of Alberta territory were on fire Wednesday, according to data from Esri Canada and Environment Canada, said Storm Team4 Meteorologist Ryan Miller.

“That amount of current fire activity is equivalent to 22 Washington, D.C.’s or 62% of the entire state of Delaware,” Miller tweeted.

The haze’s impact on air quality has not been reported. The D.C. area had a moderate air quality forecast on Thursday, meaning the air poses a moderate health risk for those who are unusually sensitive to pollution, according to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

Storm Team4 Meteorologist Chuck Bell shared that Thursday’s 6 a.m. sunrise was “very red” over D.C.

Later in the morning, Storm Team4 Chief Meteorologist Doug Kammerer shared a photo of a white sky around the Washington Monument.

A hazy glow was visible in the sunset Wednesday across the region, the NWS said.

The smoke could last as long as Friday but was expected to dissipate Thursday as winds blow south and southwest, according to NWS.

In March, a wildfire from North Carolina brought the smell of smoke to the D.C. area.

Storm Team4 5 hours ago

Storm Team4 forecast: Weather alert for wintry mix of snow, rain on Saturday

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A severe thunderstorm watch was in effect until 6 p.m. for Washington D.C. and surrounding suburbs in Maryland and Virginia, and Storm Team4 also declared a Weather Alert. A full list of weather alerts from the National Weather Service can be found here. No more severe weather is expected for the late evening.

A cold front moving into the area Saturday afternoon brought risk of severe storms, damaging winds gusts and hail in certain areas, according to Storm Team4. 

The first system of severe weather started coming into the region at around 2:45 p.m. A less severe line of storms will continue to regress to the east and reach the I-95 corridor around 7 p.m. or 7:30 p.m., Storm Team4 Chief Meteorologist Doug Kammerer projects.

The storm threats were strong wind, heavy rain with isolated flash flooding possible, lighting and a slight chance of spin-up tornado. Culpeper County saw downed tress and was under a tornado warning.

Saturday’s temperatures began in the high 70s ahead of the storm, about a 20 degree decrease from Friday’s record highs near the 90s.The temperatures warming for a longer period of time will help fuel the approaching storms.

Highs will be in the 60s starting Sunday, and will be well below average for next week.

Metro reminded customers not to run for a bus or train due to the slick conditions caused by rain.

Petworth Porchfest rescheduled its event from Saturday to April 29 due to the potential for thunderstorms.

The D.C. area has been in a dry period, and the storms will give the area much needed rain. After the storms, the area will remain dry until next Thursday, according to Storm Team4.

Here’s how the next few days are looking:

• Sunday: Sun and clouds, cooler. Breezy with a spotty shower. High of 67 degrees.
• Monday: Mostly sunny and cool. High of 63.
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny and cool. High of 64.

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Storms around the DMV started to wind down during the Thursday evening rush.

The temperature change the storm brought in its wake, on the other hand, is sticking around.

Storm Alerts

The D.C. metro area and surrounding locations were under a severe storm watch until 10 p.m.

But not everyone in the region got rain: The strongest storms rolled over the areas south and east of D.C.

A line of storms hit the Interstate 95 corridor during the evening rush.

The main threats with the storms were damaging wind gusts and heavy rain — and, in Charles County, Maryland, golf-ball sized hail.

Temperature Drop

While not everyone around the region saw that heavy rain, everyone will feel the temperature change.

After a record high temperature of 87 degrees on Wednesday, and temperatures in the 80s again on Thursday, temperatures plummeted about 20 degrees in two to three hours on Thursday evening.

The high of 86 degrees around 4 p.m. Thursday afternoon dipped into the 60s by 6:45 p.m. that same day.

Future Forecast

Bring a sweater if you head anywhere Friday or over the weekend as temperatures dip after the rain. And with a chance of frost and freeze in some places overnight, you’ll need a jacket for the evening, overnight and early morning hours.

Much of the region will struggle to make it out of the 50s on Friday, with plenty of clouds lingering.

Saturday will bring more clouds, and continued cool weather with highs in the 50s.

Sunday will warm slightly and see a return to sunshine, but temperatures will stay on the cool side in the low 60s.

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The storm system that impacted the Midwest and South of the United States brought to the D.C. area a high wind warning—last seen in April of 2021— that was in effect for most of the region until midnight.

Dominion Energy reported outages affecting 33,157 customers, and Pepco reported outages affecting 7,084 customers as of 11 p.m.

Some early Saturday events were canceled due to rain that totaled .25 inches in the morning, while evening events were postponed.

“After morning rain and clouds, here comes the sun! Into the mid-afternoon hours it’s looking nice and mild,” Storm Team4 Meteorologist Amelia Draper tweeted. “But by the later afternoon and evening hours, winds pick up with some wind damage likely later today.”

Impacted Events

The Cherry Blossom 5K canceled the children’s portion of the race. The adult 5K went on as planned despite the heavy rain early Saturday.

The Tidal Basin Welcome Area for the National Cherry Blossom Festival was canceled by the National Park Service. The cherry blossoms are nearing the end of peak bloom and the wind is expected to increase the amount of falling flowers.

“Due to forecast severe weather this afternoon, the Tidal Basin Welcome Area for the National Cherry Blossom Festival will close at noon today. Everyone, please stay safe!” @NationalMallNPS tweeted.

Bloomaroo at The Wharf was rescheduled from Saturday at 2 to 9 p.m. to the same time on Sunday. The event planned to have live music and a firework finale.

NOMA in Bloom was also rescheduled to Sunday, and Pink in the Park in Arlington, Virginia was postponed.

The Capitol City Little League Opening Day ceremony, which D.C. Mayor Murial Bowser planned to attend at 10 a.m., was canceled by inclement weather. The league’s afternoon games are expected to continue as scheduled.

“Opening Day ceremonies cancelled today due to weather, but stay tuned for a midseason celebration in May that will be bigger, better, and hopefully sunnier! Go Cap City!” Capitol City Little League posted on Facebook.

Despite the morning and evening weather, some events continued while sunshine came out in the afternoon. Here’s the Weekend Scene for a list of events still ongoing this weekend. 

Damaging Winds

After the rainy morning, sunshine and temperatures in the upper 70s were expected Saturday afternoon. Winds of up to 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph could be felt throughout the day, according to Storm Team4.

Winds picked up at around 6 p.m. with a storm or rain possible during the evening hours, according to Draper.

The winds knocked down power lines and branches blocked streets in Silver Spring Saturday. Branches also fell on a car and shattered the windshield.

A photo provided by the Prince George’s County Fire and Rescue showed that a tree fell on top of a home in Landover, Maryland. No one was inside when the tree fell.

Another tree fell across Klingle Road in Northwest D.C. and authorities had to cut it up so that cars could pass.

In Northern Virginia, a traffic light collapsed in Alexandria at the intersection of Holland Lane and Duke Street. The toppled over light blocked off part of the roadway causing police to redirect traffic.

Power outages continued in parts of Maryland and Northern Virginia Sunday morning.

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Several school districts announced they would open two hours late, including Culpeper, Fauquier, Manassas and Manassas Park schools. Here’s a full list of closures and delays.

The first measurable snowfall this winter came down for some areas overnight Wednesday, including at Dulles International Airport. The National Weather Service measured 0.4 inches of snow near Dulles.

Storm Team4 Meteorologist Chuck Bell estimates almost a half-inch of snow fell in some areas. But if you got a good night’s sleep, you may have missed it.

Snow was coming down in Upper Northwest D.C. when NBC4 went on air at 4 a.m.

Snow lovers should enjoy the white coating on grassy areas and cars while it lasts: Temperatures will climb above freezing, and the precipitation will be over by mid-morning. Frigid cold wintry temps are on tap later this week.

Around D.C., the snow isn’t expected to cause much trouble on the roads. Be cautious on overpasses and bridges which are more likely to freeze over. Montgomery County fire department spokesman Pete Piringer said roads were largely OK before sunrise, and the Virginia Department of Transportation said roads are mostly just wet.

Check out these images of snow in the D.C. area:

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A wintry mix is hitting areas such as Leesburg, Virginia and Frederick, Maryland. Storm Team4 radar indicated a few wet flakes or a little sleet falling near upper Northwest D.C.

Rain is the big weather headline in the metro area. Rain chances will continue until 7-8 p.m. Rainfall could be moderate to heavy at times. Precipitation may total a half-inch or more.

It’s too warm for snow in the D.C. metro area. Temperatures will be in the 40s throughout the day and even overnight.

Public schools are closed Wednesday in Berkeley and Jefferson counties, West Virginia, and Clarke, Frederick, Shenandoah and Warren counties plus Winchester, Virginia on Wednesday. Here’s a full list of school closures.

How Much Snow Could Fall in Maryland and Virginia?

Snow won’t add up to much — there’s less than a 20% chance for an inch of snow in the north and west suburbs of D.C. But roads may get slushy for a few hours. There may be some accumulation on grass, trees and rooftops.

Frederick, Maryland, Frederick, Virginia, and areas along the Interstate 81 corridor are under a winter weather advisory until 4 p.m. Wednesday. Storm Team4 says there’s about an 80% chance for an inch of snow or more in this area.

Even for those areas that do see some snow, the precipitation is forecast to shift to all rain early Wednesday afternoon.

What to Expect for Thursday and the Weekend

The wet weather system is coming in with mild air, so there’s no concern about wet roads freezing overnight.

Sunshine will return Thursday along with gusty winds, so it will feel quite cold even with highs in the mid- to upper 40s. Gusts could reach 30-40 mph.

A steady breeze will stick around Friday, but the weekend is looking nice by January standards. Saturday and Sunday will be milder with highs about 50°.

Some rain is possible late Sunday into early Monday, but it should be gone in time for the morning commute.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

Expect the D.C. area to be drenched by anywhere from 0.5″ to 1″ of rain, and as Storm Team4 Chief Meteorologist Doug Kammerer notes: “Wow, that’s a lot of rain in one day.”

Tuesday’s mild temps began to fall after sunset and will drop into the 30s by 9 to 11 p.m. Expect a dry overnight period

As of Tuesday evening, the storm that we’re watching is way down to the south and west right now, but it is really becoming a monster of a storm. While it will be a big snowmaker for Oklahoma and parts of Missouri, which are under winter storm warnings, that’s not what it’s going to bring us.

Instead, we’ll see rain, but Storm Team4 is not anticipating severe weather from this at all.

The storm will move closer to the D.C. area by early Wednesday morning. However, the metro area will remain 4 to 5 degrees above freezing Wednesday morning, and as the rain comes in, it will be close to 40 degrees, so the roads will be fine in the metro area.

Specifically, the area around the Capital Beltway east of Interstate 95 will get only rain. While you might see some snowflakes falling, nothing will stick to the ground.

However, areas north and west of the District will get some wet snow before it changes over to all rain.

In Virginia, those areas include Loudoun County, central northern Fauquier County, and parts of Virginia just east of Interstate 81. In Maryland, those areas include upper Montgomery County and Frederick County.

Areas beyond that will get some minor accumulating before the precipitation changes over to all rain by 1 p.m., if not earlier. For the most part, though, roads farther to the west of D.C. will likely just be wet as well, since surface temperatures will stay above freezing. Some accumulation is more likely on grass, trees and roofs, but any snow that falls during the morning hours will likely melt by the afternoon and evening as temperatures warm up again.

Behind this storm system, temps will definitely fall back onto the colder side. On Thursday, expect blustery winds gusts up to 35 or 40 mph.

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A winter storm that ushered freezing rain into the Washington, D.C., area early Thursday is shifting to all-rain.

Storm Team4 declared a weather alert for the ice and freezing rain, which slowed traffic. Loudoun County Public Schools closed. Many schools opened late, and the federal government announced a two-hour delay. Track all school closings and delays here.

The problematic precipitation is shifting to plain rain as temperatures warm up in the afternoon. Periods of heavy rainfall are likely all day Thursday.

Snowplows were on standby, ice was a big concern for areas north and west of D.C., and some icicles even formed — including on the NBC4 tower camera. But icy conditions are less of a concern as temperatures head toward highs in the mid- to upper 40s, and the rain will likely melt any icicles left behind.

Winter Weather Advisory Ends in DC Area

A winter weather advisory has concluded for areas including the District; Prince George’s and Montgomery counties in Maryland and Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties plus nearby cities in Northern Virginia, the National Weather Service says.

An ice storm warning is set until Thursday evening for areas near the I-81 corridor and along the Blue Ridge Mountains. Dangerous travel conditions, power outages and tree damage are likely due to ice, NWS said.

Winter Storm Timing

Freezing rain, especially west of D.C., persisted until temperatures ticked above the freezing mark. More than an inch of rain fell in the morning, and another inch or more is possible in the second half of the day.

Grab an umbrella and prepare for all-day rain, which could be moderate to heavy at times.

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The weather will improve by the weekend.

Temperatures will be warm enough Friday that ice won’t be a concern in the D.C. metro area.

Friday will be dry from start to finish with sunshine, then expect cool, dry weather for the weekend, Storm Team4 says. Here’s more on the 10-day forecast.

Commuter & School Impacts

Crews are out across D.C., Maryland and Virginia to treat roads.

“We are in emergency operations mode,” the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Shantee Felix said. “We are applying materials and trying to get ahead of the sleet and freezing rain and we’ll be continuing to work it throughout the day.”

Felix advised drivers to delay travel if possible. She said at about 6:35 a.m. that there were no significant areas of concern.

Bridges and overpasses are the areas of greater concern, as elevated areas are more likely to ice over.

Light RailLink trains will be operating at reduced speed, Maryland officials said.

Due to possible icy road conditions, Metro advised customers to prepare for Metrobus service impacts on Thursday.

Prince William County Schools will have a virtual learning day on Thursday. D.C. Public Schools, Alexandria, Arlington County and Montgomery County public schools are among those opening late. Here’s a full list.

To help a person in need of shelter in the District, call 202-399-7093 to request transportation.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

A winter storm will bring sleet, freezing rain and ice to parts of the Washington, D.C., area Thursday.

Storm Team4 declared a weather alert for overnight sleet that will turn into drenching rain throughout Thursday. West of D.C., along the Interstate 81 corridor, significant icing is possible.

Several schools districts will be closed or start classes late on Thursday. Prince William County will have a virtual learning day.

Track all school closings and delays here.

Expect a high-impact event Thursday morning with dangerous freezing rain to the west. Heavy rain will continue through the day past the evening rush hour to the east.

Precipitation will lower the temperature with temperatures approaching freezing to the north and west.

Crews in Virginia, Maryland and the District are treating the roads Wednesday, including by spreading brine on overpasses and bridges.

Winter Weather Advisory for D.C. Area

A winter weather advisory starts at 10 p.m. Wednesday and continues until 1 p.m. Thursday, the National Weather Service says.

Areas impacted include Washington, D.C.; Prince George’s and Montgomery counties in Maryland and Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties plus nearby cities in Northern Virginia.

If you have friends, family or business near Martinsburg, West Virginia; Cumberland, Maryland, or Winchester and Luray, Virginia, heads up that an ice storm warning will be in effect from Wednesday evening into Thursday. The National Weather Service says significant icing is expected.

“If you are under an ice storm warning you want to take it really seriously,” Storm Team4 Meteorologist Amelia Draper said.

Areas under an ice warning should plan for power outages, according to Draper.

The D.C. metro area will see a period of freezing rain and/or sleet Thursday morning, but that will be all rain by 9 or 10 a.m. Up to 2 inches of rain is possible. Prepare for a slow, rainy morning commute.

Montgomery County and areas to the west will deal with freezing rain and sleet with p two-tenths of an inch of ice. Roads will be slick and should be avoided Thursday morning. It should be just rain by midday or early afternoon.

In the mountains, up to a half inch of ice is possible and could cause power outages. Avoid traveling in the area Thursday.

To the south, expect just a rain event.

Commuter & School Impacts

Commuters will not be impacted by weather on the road Wednesday. That will change Thursday morning, when drivers are likely to see rain and ice.

Due to possible icy road conditions, Metro advised customer to prepare for Metrobus service impacts on Thursday.

“If you can delay or work from home tomorrow, that is going to be the way to go. The messiest of the weather falls tomorrow between 6, 9, 10 a.m.,” Draper said.

Delays are possible for more schools north and west of D.C., including Loudoun and Fauquier counties in Virginia and Montgomery and Frederick counties in Maryland. Some school day cancellations may be possible in the Shenandoah and Blue Ridge areas, Draper said.

Winter Storm Timing

For the D.C. metro and the northern and western suburbs, the most likely time for freezing rain or sleet will come from 2 a.m. through 8 a.m. Thursday.

As the center of the storm approaches, temperatures will climb. The I-95 corridor should be all rain after 9 a.m. and even the I-81 corridor should be above freezing by noon. Highs in the D.C. area will be in the 36° to 42° range.

A steady rain, moderate at times, will remain well into the late evening hours.

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Temperatures will remain near 40° overnight so travel issues will be limited to just wet pavement for the Friday morning commute.

All the rain will be over by noon on Friday and the area will stay dry throughout the upcoming weekend.

Winter Storm Impacts: Will There Be Snow?

Ice and freezing rain are the main concerns. Sorry, snow lovers, this storm won’t deliver a white Christmas.

Ice accumulations of up to one-tenth of an inch for the D.C. metro area will be possible and could cause slick spots on elevated or untreated surfaces like bridges and overpasses.

For all areas north and west of Dulles International Airport, plus the I-81 corridor, accumulations of ice up to a quarter inch will make travel difficult and dangerous from late Wednesday through about noon Thursday.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser replayed the District Snow Team to treat roads. The team has 30,000 pounds of salt, 86,000 gallons of brine, and 12,500 gallons of raw beet juice to apply, hoping to prevent ice from accumulating. Pet-friendly solutions are used on pedestrian bridges, the mayor’s office said in a press release.

“Residents and commercial property owners are also encouraged to apply abrasives such as rock salt, deicer, or non-clumping kitty litter to the sidewalks around their properties to reduce the possibility of icing and to prevent slips and falls,” the press release said.

To help a person in need of shelter in the District, call 202-399-7093 to request transportation.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

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So what will this winter be like? Here’s what I predict:

Factors for Predicting Snowfall

In making this year’s forecast, I once again looked to the oceans. I looked at the phase of the El Niño. This year we’re in a La Niña again. As a matter of fact, this is the third winter in a row for it.

I also look at the sea surface temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic. Once again, they are very warm for this time of year. That could mean more moisture, but will the cold be there to bring more snow? Or, will we see just plain rain?

I look toward the Pacific and the Gulf of Alaska. The sea surface temperatures there can help steer the jet stream, bringing us the cold air we need, but it could also keep us warm.

Additionally, I look to the snow cover over Siberia and North America. That too helps me forecast the amount of cold and snow we might see.

Looking at those factors, I think we will be wearing the rain coats and umbrellas a whole lot more than the winter coats and snow boots.

During La Niñas, our region tends to be warm and wet, not cold and white, and I see that again for this year. Looking back at the past, similar years have not had much snowfall at all. Those same years had bouts of heavy rain and with a warm Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic.

I expect storms that move in from the south will bring with them warmer air and more rain this winter.

Warmer Winter

Here’s the part I hate to even mention, but I know this will make some of you very happy: I am predicting one of the warmest winters ever! This winter could wind up in the top five warmest in our history and with warm temperatures come a lot less snowfall.

I am seeing very little chance of any good snowstorms. If we see a good storm, it will most likely come in January. That is the one month I think we see some good cold weather.

However, December will be above average and I think February and March will be extremely warm.

Snowfall Totals

As far as snowfall, I am predicting just 1-6 inches of snow for the entire D.C. area and I am leaning toward the lower side of that.

Yes, we will see a little more to the north and west, but I’m not expecting much at all for areas to the south and east.

This is one forecast I hope I get wrong!

The warning is for parts of D.C., Prince George’s County and Charles County in Maryland, and Arlington, Falls Church and Alexandria in Virginia, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

Temperatures are expected to be sub-freezing, in the 20s -30s. The cold may cause damage to crops, other vegetation and outdoor plumbing, the NWS said.

A full list of weather alerts from the National Weather Service can be found here.

“Temperatures could be dropping quickly below the freezing mark, due to the light winds and those cooler than average temperatures,” Storm Team4 Meteorologist Clay Anderson said.

To prepare for the cold, Anderson recommends outdoor plants be brought inside.

“This area here, could see temperatures 31, 32 degrees, and that’s why you want to bring those plants, or whatever you are trying to grow, outside, inside,” Anderson said.

D.C. has activated this season’s first hypothermia alert. It is set to begin at 6 p.m. tonight and will continue until conditions approve, according to a release from the D.C. Mayor‘s office.

The alert asks residents to help neighbors experiencing homelessness get out of the cold. Transporation to a shelter can be requested by calling 202-399-7093 or 311.

Last week, temperatures made some days feel more like the month of September. On Saturday, temperatures reached 70 degrees. On Sunday, temperatures cooled down to the 40s-50s.

A December feel is expected in the week ahead as daytime highs are expected to stay below 50 all week. Monday will be breezy and sunny with temps in the 40s-50s. A freeze could happen Monday evening into Tuesday morning as well.

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Storm Team4 5 hours ago

Storm Team4 forecast: Weather alert for wintry mix of snow, rain on Saturday

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During peak trick-or-treating hours, expect a high chance of on-and-off rain, plus temps in the low 60s, Storm Team4 Meteorologist Chuck Bell said.

The high chance of rain will make showing-off costumes and gathering candy tricky, although temperatures will be a treat. It won’t be too cold with highs in the mid- to upper 60s, then lows between 50° and 58°.

Remember an umbrella, raincoat or see-through slicker when you head out for candy — even if it’s not raining when you leave, wet weather could sneak up on you, Storm Team4 Meteorologist Chuck Bell said.

“I cannot promise you dry weather for trick-or-treating this evening, so make sure your costumes are either waterproof or at least watertight,” Bell said.

Rain could be moderate at times. Rain chances will be at 60% by 4 p.m. Watch out for ghosts and goblins once the sun sets at 6:09 p.m. Rain chances will be at 80% by 8 p.m.

Spooky season ends Tuesday and rain chances will go away in the afternoon. The ghosts may be asleep for another year, but the above-average temperatures will haunt the D.C. area during the first week of November.

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Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

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There’s an 80% chance of rain Thursday. After a rainy start to the day, prepare for the second wave of precipitation about 4 to 7 p.m.

The good news? We’ll be back to sunshine by Friday.

Remember an umbrella and rain gear! Rain will be heavy at times.

Two Rainy Periods on Thursday

The first round of steady morning rain soaked the D.C. area. A little sunshine may break through in the early afternoon.

Another line of showers and thunderstorms will arrive with the cold front.

Isolated strong to severe storms could develop, and gusty winds are the biggest potential threat. The National Weather Service says the severe weather threat level is 1 out of 5 (marginal). The highest chance for a storm is for areas south and east of Washington.

Dry conditions will likely return by 11 p.m., Storm Team4 says.

Rainfall is expected to total about a quarter to half-inch, Storm Team4 says.

10-Day Forecast for the D.C. Area

The weather will take a fast turn for the better, but watch out for more rain chances to close out the weekend.

Sunny skies and highs about 64° to 70° are on tap for Friday, and Saturday will be a little warmer with highs about 75°.

Sunday will start mild, but showers are likely by sunset. Monday will also bring a 30% chance of rain.

A much cooler pattern will settle for the middle of next week, with highs in the 50s from Tuesday to Thursday.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

Saturday is expected to be a rainy and windy day with gusts up to 40 mph. Skies remain cloudy with passing rain showers and cool temperatures throughout the day, according to the National Weather Service.

Heavy rain will be more of a concern on Sunday.

The D.C. area won’t get severe weather with this storm, but minor to moderate coastal flooding is a possibility.

Southern Maryland and southeastern Virginia are some of the areas bracing for more disruptive impacts. In Arlington, Alexandria and Charles counties, coastal flood advisories are set from early Saturday to Sunday.

The D.C. area won’t see anything close to the widespread destruction in parts of Florida.

Several inches of rain could lead to scattered flooding issues.

There’s a 90% chance for at least 2 inches of rainfall, a 40% chance of up to 4 inches, and a 10% chance for 5 inches or more.

When Will Storm Ian Leave? 10-Day Forecast

Windy, wet and cool weather is set to persist through at least Sunday. Expect highs to only reach the upper 50s to low 60s on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

The storm will begin to unravel early next week. Monday’s rain chances will be about 60% and Thursday’s about 40%. Sunshine returns to the forecast for Wednesday.

On the other side of all this rain, a nice stretch of pleasant October weather is on tap.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

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Storm Team4 is tracking rain starting Friday night into Saturday and wind gusts up to 30 mph over the weekend. 

“As we head throughout the weekend, the moisture from Ian makes its way into our area,” Storm Team4 Meteorologist Amelia Draper said Wednesday. 

First, Wednesday and Thursday are set to be clear and breezy, with highs of 70. 

Then, rain is expected Friday night into Saturday morning and at times on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and possibly Tuesday. One to more than 2 inches of rain are possible, which could lead to minor flooding. 

Temperatures will drop soon, with highs in the mid- to high 60s Friday through Sunday, and lows in the mid- to high 50s. 

Expect a “rainy, chilly, raw autumn weekend as we welcome in October,” Draper said. 

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency starting Friday, allowing the commonwealth to mobilize resources for response and recovery efforts in regions that could be impacted by Ian, like Virginia Beach and Norfolk, which could get tropical storm-force winds. 

Stay with Storm Team4 and NBC Washington as the forecast evolves. 

The watch applies to Prince George’s and Charles counties in Maryland, along with the City of Alexandria, Fairfax and Prince William counties in Virginia.

A full list of weather alerts from the National Weather Service can be found here.

A tornado warning has expired for Frederick County, Virginia. A severe thunderstorm warning for parts of Loudoun, Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Clarke and Jefferson counties in Maryland has also expired.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

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But our changing climate is taking the chill out of autumn. Fall temperatures have gone up almost 3 degrees across the United States compared to 50 years ago, a Climate Central study found.

Climate Central looked at about 250 cities and found that 97% of them now experience a warmer fall season compared to 1970.

Washington, D.C., is clocking nine more fall days with above-normal temperatures compared to 1970, while the biggest warming has happened in Nevada, Texas and Arizona, Climate Central found.

This warming doesn’t just shorten sweater and boot season.

It means your air conditioner would run longer, increasing energy costs and prolonging the period when people are at risk of heat-related illnesses — particularly more vulnerable groups including children and residents of low-income communities.

Do you have allergies or asthma? With a warming autumn, we are seeing a longer and more intense pollen season.

Finally, a warmer fall means disease-carrying insects like mosquitos and ticks stick around longer.

The warning covered parts of D.C., Prince George’s County, Maryland, and Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, Manassas Park, Fairfax County and Prince William County in Virginia, the National Weather Service said.

A tornado warning was in effect for parts of Fairfax, Prince William and Charles counties from about 5 to 5:15 p.m. Another tornado warning was briefly in effect earlier in the afternoon for parts of Fauquier and Culpeper counties.

Storm Team4 declared a weather alert ahead of the expected storms. A full list of weather alerts from the National Weather Service can be found here.

Sunny, beautiful weather is expected to return Tuesday.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

Storm Team4 5 hours ago

Storm Team4 forecast: Weather alert for wintry mix of snow, rain on Saturday

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Storm Team4 has declared a weather alert for rain, plus flood watches and warnings in the D.C. area as several inches of rain were set to fall in the region.

A flood warning and flood watch have expired.

Remember: Never drive into a flooded roadway. Turn around, don’t drown.

“It’s not an all-day event, but it’s an impactful event during the morning hours,” Storm Team4 Meteorologist Somara Theodore said.

Tuesday Rain Timing and Potential Totals

Waves of rain rolled over the D.C. area Tuesday morning.

Showers were set to drop 1 to 3 inches of rain but amounts up to 4 inches were possible in isolated spots, the National Weather Service said.

Skies began to clear up about lunchtime, although spotty showers may continue in areas north and west of D.C. into the evening. Highs will reach the low 80s.

Storm Team4 is tracking more on-and-off showers through Wednesday.

Partly sunny skies are set to return by Thursday.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

A line of storms began coming into parts of Northern Virginia about 3:30 p.m. and moved out of the D.C. region by about 7 p.m.

Beautiful weather will settle in for the rest of the week and much of Labor Day weekend.

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Afternoon highs will stay mostly in the mid-80s for the rest of the week amid lower humidity.

Labor Day Weekend Forecast in the DC Area

The early outlook for the long weekend includes plenty of sunshine Friday to Sunday. There’s a 40% rain chance on Monday, so stay with Storm Team4 to keep an eye on the forecast.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

The flash flooding caught drivers off guard on the Capital Beltway causing some cars to stall. Maryland State Police officials said multiple overwhelmed storm drains led to flooding on the Outer Loop near the Good Luck Road overpass.

At least two cars in two separate areas less than a half-mile apart stalled out in flash flooding. Everyone was able to get out of those cars without assistance, and no injuries were reported. Other drivers had to be rescued from vehicles by firefighters using inflatable boats.

Flooding also shut down the southbound lanes of the Third Street Tunnel in D.C. Police said the New York Avenue NW and Massachusetts Avenue NW tunnel exits were closed due to high standing water. They diverted traffic to Fourth Street and New York Avenue NW, and asked drivers to use alternate routes.

In Northeast D.C., brown floodwaters rose around Rhode Island Avenue. Video from District Dogs, a dog day care, showed several feet of water covering the front door and windows. Water could be seen seeping through the walls and bubbling up from drains in the floor. The store’s staff used sandbags to help keep the worst of the flooding from entering the business.

This isn’t the first time flooding has inundated District Dogs. On Friday, a flash flood caused water to pour into the boarding house and pet spa. Some 40 dogs were inside at the time of the flooding. Luckily, the pets and staff were left unharmed.

Meanwhile, storm drains overwhelmed by the heavy rains gushed like a geyser at the intersection of 19th and D streets NE. District police were stationed at the corner, but drivers continued to pass through the fast-moving water.

DC Water said it’s working on a long-term fix for flooding in some neighborhoods in Northeast. It said the goal is to expand the capacity of the sewer system, which isn’t equipped to handle the population growth of the past 100 years.

Construction is underway on the Northeast Boundary Tunnel (NEBT) to address “chronic flooding in the Bloomingdale and LeDroit Park neighborhoods, at the Rhode Island Metro station area, and on Mount Olivet Road NE,” DC Water says. Officials said that could reduce the chance of flooding in those areas from 50% to 7%. The project isn’t expected to be complete until 2023.

Remember: If you’re driving and you see standing water, turn around and don’t drown.

Ankle-deep water covered the entrance to the Greenbelt Metro station and water poured through the ceiling of the Capitol South station as the storms roared outside.

As much as 4.2 inches of rain poured from the skies Wednesday across Prince George’s County. Drivers on the Beltway near Route 301 contended with 3.1 inches of rain, while in Northeast D.C., 2.5 inches fell near Minnesota Avenue. The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Warning for the District and multiple counties in Maryland and Virginia until the 8 o’clock hour. A flood warning went into effect at 2 p.m.

Stay with Storm Team4 and NBC Washington on this developing story.

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A month’s worth of rain pounded many areas in just a few hours, Storm Team4 Meteorologist Ryan Miller said.

A flood warning is in effect until 8:45 a.m. for Prince George’s County as showers linger on Thursday morning. The National Weather Service reports flooding in the Upper Marlboro area. Other flood warnings and watches have expired. Here’s a full list of severe weather alerts.

Storm Team4 5 hours ago

Storm Team4 forecast: Weather alert for wintry mix of snow, rain on Saturday

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Rainfall Totals

Storm Team4 said more than 4 inches of rain have fallen in Prince George’s County, 2.5 inches in Northeast D.C. near Minnesota Avenue, more than 3 inches at the Beltway and Route 301 and 1.5 inches in downtown D.C.

Flooded Roads in D.C. Area

Cars stranded in flood waters are blocking traffic on the Capital Beltway outer loop in Greenbelt, Maryland.

Flooding has also shut down the southbound lanes of the 3rd Street Tunnel in D.C. Police said the New York Avenue NW and Massachusetts Avenue NW tunnel exits are closed due to high standing water. They are diverting traffic to 4th Street and New York Avenue NW, and asking drivers to use alternate routes.

Other road closures include Rhode Island Ave NE near the metro station and Lawyers Road near Hunter Mill Road in Vienna, Virginia.

Remember: If you’re driving and you see standing water, turn around and don’t drown.

The D.C. area has grappled with disrupting flooding lately: District Dogs day care on Rhode Island Avenue was inundated with high water over the weekend, and drivers in the Riverdale, Maryland, area were swept away by floods during the Monday evening commute.

Wednesday’s storms flooded District Dogs once again. Cloudy, brown water was seen rushing above a door — just a few inches shy of the handle.

Flash flooding can quickly create dangerous conditions on the roads. Never drive into a flooded roadway — the water could be much deeper than you think.

Weather Forecast: Relief from Storms, Heat on the Way

Wednesday was another hot and sticky day before the storms, with the heat index reaching 99° before noon.

It could be our last day at 90° for a while.

By Thursday, our shifting weather pattern will give us a hint that summer is winding down. Expect cooler, less humid air to settle in. Here’s the Storm Team4 forecast.

Thursday is set to begin with cloudy skies and more morning showers. Rain chances are set to diminish by noon to 2 p.m. Highs are expected in the 80° to 86° range.

Highs will be in the upper 70s to lower 80s through the weekend amid mostly sunny skies.

Cool mornings will come on Saturday and Sunday as temperatures drop to near 60° in D.C. and well down into the 50s for areas north and west of Dulles International Airport.

The heat will not come back next week, but rain chances will. Make the most of the weekend sunshine.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

Storm Team4 declared a weather alert due to the storm risk and heat. Track all weather alerts here.

Friday’s bad weather came one day after storms hit the region with rain, lots of lightning and thunder. An apparent lightning strike killed three people and critically injured one other at Lafayette Square near the White House Thursday evening.

As another storm arrived Friday afternoon, police were asking people to leave Lafayette Square, which was again experiencing lightning and rain. 

In Northeast, D.C. Friday evening, the storms flooded neighborhood streets. Videos show cars driving through water and past street barriers.

“Remember do not drive into the water, it can be a lot higher than you think,” anchor Adam Tuss said.

Highs reached the low 90s Friday afternoon, with feels-like temperatures near 100°.

Thursday’s afternoon highs at Reagan, Dulles and BWI-Marshall airports were 95°, 97° and 99° respectively, with rainfall amounts of 0.93 inches, 0.72 inches and 1.22 inches.

The steamy, stormy weather pattern will continue over the weekend.

Weekend Forecast for the D.C. Area and Outlook for Next Week

Weekend storms won’t be as widespread, but you’ll want to keep an eye on the forecast for any plans to get outdoors or travel.

Afternoon heat index values will rise to about 100° Saturday and Sunday amid temperatures in the upper 80s to low 90s.

Storms are likely both days in the 3 to 9 p.m. time frame.  Saturday’s rain chances are at 60%, and Sunday’s chances sit at 40%.

Rain chances will drop a bit for Monday before ramping up again in the middle of next week. Expect highs to keep getting above 90° until at least Wednesday.

Heat Safety Tips

Intense heat can quickly become dangerous. Keep an eye on vulnerable groups including newborns, infants, children and the elderly.

“Heat is one of the leading weather-related killers in the United States, resulting in hundreds of fatalities each year,” the National Weather Service says.

To stay safe in the heat, stay hydrated and opt for water and sports drinks over sugary beverages. Take shade breaks. Know the signs of heat-related illness. Avoid strenuous outdoor activities, or move them to the cooler morning hours.

Never leave a pet or kids alone in a parked car. Temperatures in cars can rise to lethal levels within minutes, even with the windows cracked, according to KidsandCars.org.

Wearing loose, light-colored clothing can also help you stay cool.

D.C. says it declares a heat emergency when temperatures or the heat index reach 95°. Cooling centers open during a heat emergency, here’s how to find a cooling center plus free transport.

Spray parks and public pools are another way to cool down. Pools and spray parks are open throughout the region.

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Thunderstorms are moving through parts of the D.C. area after a day of extremely hot weather.

A flash flood warning is in effect for parts of D.C. and the suburbs until 1:15 a.m.

A heat advisory was in effect for much of the D.C. area most of the day. High temperatures were in the mid-90s, but humidity made it feel much hotter.

Track all weather alerts here.

An apparent lightning strike critically injured four people near the White House Thursday evening.

Friday will be a few degrees cooler — with a high of about 92° — but be prepared for another round of afternoon storms.

Heat Safety Tips

Intense heat can quickly become dangerous. Keep an eye on vulnerable groups including newborns, infants, children and the elderly.

“Heat is one of the leading weather-related killers in the United States, resulting in hundreds of fatalities each year,” the National Weather Service says.

To stay safe in the heat, stay hydrated and opt for water and sports drinks over sugary beverages. Take shade breaks. Know the signs of heat-related illness. Avoid strenuous outdoor activities, or move them to the cooler morning hours.

Never leave a pet or kids alone in a parked car. Temperatures in cars can rise to lethal levels within minutes, even with the windows cracked, according to KidsandCars.org.

Wearing loose, light-colored clothing can also help you stay cool.

D.C. says it declares a heat emergency when temperatures or the heat index reach 95°. Cooling centers open during a heat emergency, here’s how to find a cooling center plus free transport.

Spray parks and public pools are another way to cool down. Pools and spray parks are open throughout the region.