NoVA, DC Forecast: Storm Arrives For Thanksgiving Weekend Travel

VIRGINIA — A string of clear nights and sunny days with highs in the 50s is shaping up for the northern Virginia/Washington, D.C. region, but rain threatens to move in on Black Friday, which could throw a wrench into weekend plans, according to forecasters.

Sunny skies and highs in the mid- to upper 50s are expected from Tuesday through Thanksgiving Day. But by the time shoppers head out in search of bargains on Friday, rain will have moved in to soak the state through Sunday.

"While the days leading up to Thanksgiving and the holiday itself are expected to feature largely dry conditions across the mid-Atlantic and Northeast, conditions may quickly change as holiday shoppers head out in search of deals Friday," according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham.

Rain is expected to start about 8 a.m. Friday, the National Weather Service said.

There is about a 50 percent chance of rain on Friday, dropping to a 30 percent chance through the evening, officials said. A 30 percent chance of precipitation lingers through Saturday, before increasing to 60 percent Saturday night and 40 percent on Sunday. The rain should wrap up Sunday night before skies clear on Monday.

Should the jet stream push the storm, rain and thunderstorms would reach the Eastern Seaboard on Friday and Friday night. That would bring drier weather, and good travel conditions in Maryland, in time for the weekend across much of the eastern U.S., AccuWeather said.

But, if the storm moves slowly, the mid-Atlantic forecast would call for rain Saturday or even Sunday.

"Those with travel plans at the end of the week should keep checking back with AccuWeather for the latest on the storm's timing," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex DaSilva.

Warm air is expected up the East Coast, so the precipitation should fall as rain for most areas.

Here's the full forecast for Northern Virginia/DC, according to the National Weather Service:

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 53. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 33. Light and variable wind.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 57. Northwest wind 3 to 6 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. Calm wind.

Thanksgiving Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39.

Friday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Friday Night: A chance of rain. Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday: A chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 56. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday Night: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday: A chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 60. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 52.