Sub-Zero Wind Chills Recorded In VA: When Will Arctic Cold End?

WASHINGTON, DC — The ongoing arctic blast has blanketed Northern Virginia with frigid temperatures and bitterly cold wind chills, but the end may be in sight. Normal temperatures could return by early next week, according to forecasters.

The lowest temperatures of the ongoing cold snap occurred Wednesday morning with widespread single digits and low teens, Washington Post forecasters reported. Wind chills fell to right around zero or a few degrees below.

At 11 a.m. Wednesday, the wind chill was 11 degrees and the true temperature was 19 in Washington, D.C. Wednesday followed a similarly cold day Tuesday when temperatures reached a high of just 24 and a low of 16.

"January’s average temperature is running 4.6 degrees below normal, and Wednesday is expected to be about 15 to 20 degrees colder than usual as the worst of the cold grips the area," Post forecasters said.

While the cold may seem never-ending, some relief is on its way.

While Thursday will get off to a cold start, warmer air will move into the region and push temperatures into the mid-30s, according to the National Weather Service. By Sunday, temperatures should reach the low to mid-40s and remain there through the start of next week.

"Next week, computer models suggest there may be a good deal of temperature variability, but highs should average close to normal," Post forecasters said.

There's "a chance for a little rain and snow" in some areas around Sunday, but it's too far out to know specifics. Meteorologists are uncertain where the potential storm could hit, what type of precipitation it would bring and how much may fall during the "weak and fast-moving" system.

"There is still a lot of uncertainty as to who gets what type of precipitation as well as a high uncertainty as to who doesn't get any precipitation as a few models are showing a downsloping flow over the heart of our region. The GFS, along with a blend of other models, are revealing a chance of a little rain or a little snow. The EURO keeps the low pressure to the south," the NWS said.

Here's the detailed NWS forecast for the Washington, D.C. region through this weekend:

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 21. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 11. Calm wind.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 34. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 17. Light and variable wind.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 33. Northwest wind 5 to 8 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 13.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 37.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26.