NoVA, DC Weather: Snow Flurries Before Temps Soar This Week

VIRGINIA — While it's technically spring, the District and northern Virginia are feeling one last taste of winter weather. Cold 30 mph winds will drive snow at times Monday into Tuesday, but it all melts away by Thursday when temperatures climb into the 70s.

Frigid temperatures, flurries and sleet are in the forecast this week until Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

The end of wintry weather won't necessarily mean sunny skies, however — clouds, showers and a potential thunderstorm likely will dampen the return of spring-like conditions on Thursday and Friday, the forecast states.

The National Weather Service posted a hazardous weather outlook for the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay, Tidal Potomac River, and I-95 corridor through central Maryland, northern Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

Included in the weather statement are: the District of Columbia, Prince William, Manassas, Manassas Park, Fairfax, Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria, Stafford and Spotsylvania, according to the weather service.

There is also a risk of rapid fire spread Monday afternoon through early evening, especially in the Fredericksburg area.

A gale warning is in effect through Monday evening.

Scattered severe thunderstorms are possible Thursday afternoon and evening. Damaging wind gusts are the main threat.

A gale watch is in effect Thursday afternoon and night.

Monday's forecast calls for snow showers this morning, then a chance of flurries in the afternoon, followed by rain and snow showers after 5 p.m.

The polar vortex — that cap of cold air that normally hovers over the Arctic — is sliding from Canada to the United States, and it the reason it doesn't feel like spring in Maryland, weather forecasters said.

Highs in late March usually reach the low 60s around the Chesapeake Bay, but will be 10 to 20 degrees colder in the region, Accuweather said.

Here's the complete National Weather Service forecast:

Monday: A chance of flurries, mainly between noon and 5 pm, then a slight chance of snow showers after 5 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 41. Breezy, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph.

Monday Night: A slight chance of snow showers before 7pm, then a chance of flurries between 7pm and midnight. Mostly cloudy during the early evening, then clearing, with a low around 24. Northwest wind 7 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 48. Northwest wind 8 to 11 mph.

Tuesday Night: A slight chance of rain after 2am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 35. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60. East wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52.

Thursday: Showers. High near 74. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Thursday Night: Showers likely, mainly before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Friday: A chance of showers before 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 61. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 40.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 61.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.

Sunday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 58. Chance of precipitation is 40%.