Dangerous Wind In Reston: What To Expect

RESTON, VA -- The Reston area is about to get a pounding on Friday, so now is the time to get prepared.

The National Weather Service has upgraded our area to a "high wind warning," which covers the northern hal fof Virginia, D.C., and Maryland counties around D.C.

Here's what to expect starting Thursday.

Thursday afternoon and into the evening: Everything should be fine, aside from a few light showers, with highs in the mid-50s. If you've got anything outside that isn't bolted down, now is the time to secure those items.

Thursday night into early Friday morning: Now the winds start to "build rapidly," according to the Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang. By dawn, sustained winds will be up to 30 miles per hour in the D.C. area, with gusts up to 40 miles per hour. It will be fairly chilly too, so there is a possibility of some snowflakes, although don't expect any accumulation.

Friday morning to midday: Now is when the area will really feel the winds. Sustained winds will reach 25 to 40 miles per hour, and gusts could exceed 60 mph. "The potential for dangerous flying debris is not to be discounted," warns CWG. With temperatures topping out in the 40s, that wind chill will make it feel quite cold, too. The Weather Channel calls for a 70 percent chance of precipitation, which should mostly be concentrated in the morning.

Friday night: The winds continue to pound the area, although not quite as strongly, but gusts could reach 50 mph during this period. Temps will dip into the mid-30s, making it feel below freezing.

The weekend: Winds will still be strong on Saturday, around 30 mph at times, but not as bad as Friday. Things should clear up by Sunday.

(Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)