The period around Martin Luther King Jr. Day is historically the coldest stretch of winter, and today lived up to that reputation — even though mid-December brought a few colder days.
Under clear skies tonight, temperatures are dropping into the teens and are expected to bottom out between 5 and 10 degrees by daybreak. But the cold won’t be the only concern. Gusty winds of 15 to 20 mph will continue overnight, pushing wind chill values to near or below zero.
Areas most likely to experience sub-zero wind chills by early Tuesday morning are under a Cold Weather Advisory (formerly known as a Wind Chill Advisory). As a result, some school delays are possible.
There’s also a chance to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights tonight. A strong geomagnetic storm could make the aurora visible in our area. With clear skies and little moonlight interference, faint colors may appear along the northern horizon overnight.
Tuesday will remain cold, but a warming trend begins Wednesday as gusty southwest winds push temperatures into the 40s. A brief rain or snow shower may pass through, though any precipitation should be light.
Temperatures will gradually cool again later in the week under generally quiet conditions. By the weekend, however, the weather pattern becomes more complex.
A large area of high pressure developing over the Midwest, combined with a low-pressure system forming in the Southeast, could set the stage for a widespread snow and ice event across the Mid-Atlantic. Confidence is growing that this system could be impactful, but uncertainty remains about where the heaviest precipitation will fall and what form it will take.
Locally, outcomes range from a minor snowfall to a more significant snow event, or even a transition from snow to ice. Much will depend on the strength of the high-pressure system to the north and the track of the developing low. A more northward track could bring a wintry mix, while a stronger high could push the worst of the snow and ice farther south into Virginia and the Carolinas.
Regardless of the exact setup, this system bears watching and could affect travel from Saturday into Sunday, especially for those heading south along I-77 or I-81.
It’s important to remember that the systems involved are still far offshore, where forecast models have limited data. As a result, details regarding the storm’s track and potential snowfall will likely change in the days ahead.