Below-Zero Wind Chills To Grip NoVA, DC Into New Year's Day

WASHINGTON, DC — A wind chill advisory is in effect for northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., heading into the new year. The National Weather Service warns that it could feel as cold as 10 degrees below zero, making frostbite a danger within 30 minutes of being outside without protective layers of winter gear.

The wind chill advisory is effective from 9 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 30, to 9 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 1.
During that time, cold air and wind will create low wind chills that can lead to frostbite and hypothermia if people do not take care to protect themselves.

Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature falls more quickly than it can rise and dips below 95 degrees, according to the Mayo Clinic. Frostbite happens when the body is exposed to cold and causes freezing of the skin and tissues underneath it.

"Make sure you wear a hat and gloves," the National Weather Service advises.

The wind chill advisory applies to much of northern Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. Virginia areas named in the advisory include Nelson, Albemarle, Greene, Madison, Rappahannock, Orange, Culpeper, Prince William, Manassas, Manassas Park, Fairfax, Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria, Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, Fauquier and Loudoun.

Graphic shows the wind chill on New Year's Eve in the region. Image courtesy of the National Weather Service.

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Looking ahead, Monday and Tuesday night's look to be just as frigid. The chilly forecast:

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 12. Wind chill values as low as -1. Northwest wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

New Year's Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 23. Wind chill values as low as -2. Northwest wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 12. Wind chill values as low as -3. Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 25. Wind chill values as low as -3. Northwest wind 10 to 14 mph.

Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 13. West wind 5 to 7 mph.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 33.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 27.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 12.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 20.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 10.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 23.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 16.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 34.

Image via Shutterstock