The winter storm was moving out of the region on Saturday night, but before it did, it left light snow and some sleet before it changed into all rain for much of the area. Highs were in mid- to upper 30s.

“We could see rain and snow coming down at a pretty good rate at times,” Storm Team4 Meteorologist Amelia Draper said.

Areas to the north and west of the D.C. metro area saw the largest effects of the storm and the most frozen precipitation. Loudoun County, Virginia, public schools canceled on-campus activities and announced administrative officers would be closed Saturday.

Fairfax County and Fauquier County schools in Virginia followed suit, also closing on-campus activities for Saturday. In Maryland, Frederick Community College canceled classes and closed its campus for the day.

Storm Team4 predicts:

• Little to no accumulation in the D.C. metro area
• 1-3 inches of snow north and west of D.C., for Warrenton up through Leesburg to Frederick
• 3 to 6 inches of snow and some ice further north and west, in the I-81 corridor.

Here’s where snow and rain are expected

Red zone: Along the I-81 corridor and up to Frederick County, Maryland is where the storm will have the biggest impacts. Snow is expected to arrive in the morning and continue into the afternoon. Even in this zone, the storm will likely end with rain.

But there’s also the chance for some ice in these areas north and west of D.C., including the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Hagerstown area.

Yellow Zone: Between Washington; most of Fairfax, Montgomery and Prince William counties and down through Stafford and Fauquier counties, expect a wintry mix of rain, freezing rain, sleet and/or snow.

“We’re looking at a mix of rain and snow changing over to all rain by the midday and afternoon hours” on Saturday, Draper said.

Green zone: In southern Maryland, central and southern Prince George’s County and up through Anne Arundel County, you’re dealing with mainly rain.

“Could you see a few snowflakes? Absolutely,” Draper said. “But this is just going to be, for the most part, a rainy chilly day for those of you east of I-95.”

Weather radar

Download the NBC Washington app on Apple and Android to use the weather radar on your mobile device.

Timing and snow totals

By 9 a.m. Saturday, we saw a wintry mix across the area, dropping mainly wet snow around D.C. and areas to the north.

By midday, the rain and snow line was in play right along the I-95 corridor. The D.C. area saw a shift to mostly rain in the afternoon.

But residents further west, in places like Purcelville and Clear Brooke, Virginia; Walkersville and Corriganville, Maryland; and Petersburg, West Virginia, snow began to accumulate by lunchtime.

Rain will exit as we head into nighttime, but there could be a lingering shower or some lingering snow showers out there on Sunday.

We’re talking about a lot of moisture: Nearly an inch of precipitation could fall in D.C. and its immediate suburbs.

Unfortunately for snow lovers, most of this precipitation will be rain.

If this storm system was all snow, we’d be talking about nearly a foot of snow across the area. But surface temperatures will be too warm, among other factors.

Winter weather advisory issued for parts of Maryland and Virginia

A winter weather advisory will be in effect from Saturday morning through the evening in areas all around D.C., including:

• Spotsylvania County, VA
• Orange County, VA
• Greene County, VA
• Culpeper County, VA
• Madison County, VA
• Stafford County, VA
• Central and Southeast Prince William County/Manassas/Manassas Park, VA
• Fairfax County, VA
• Rappahannock County, VA
• Northern Fauquier County, VA
• Northwest Prince William County, VA
• Eastern Loudoun County, VA
• Western Loudoun County, VA
• Central and Southeast Montgomery County, MD
• Central and Southeast Howard County, MD

Roads could be slippery in these areas, the National Weather Service warned.

A winter storm watch was issued for the I-81 corridor, including Winchester and Luray.

In Frederick, Maryland, state police activated the county’s Snow Emergency Plan on Saturday afternoon, designating a series of highways as snow emergency routes and requiring drivers to use snow tires.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

Many residents of the D.C. area could see snowflakes this weekend — but cold rain in the forecast is washing out hopes for a winter wonderland near the Beltway.

Storm Team4 is tracking a winter storm expected throughout Saturday. Some snow is expected Saturday before it changes into all rain for much of the region. Highs will be in the mid- to upper 30s.

“We could see rain and snow coming down at a pretty good rate at times,” Storm Team4 Meteorologist Amelia Draper said.

Areas to the north and west of the D.C. metro area will see the largest effects of the storm. Loudoun County, Virginia, public schools canceled on-campus activities and announced administrative officers would be closed Saturday.

Storm Team4 predicts:

• Little to no accumulation in the D.C. metro area
• 1-3 inches of snow north and west of D.C.
• 3 to 6 inches of snow and some ice in the I-81 corridor.

Here’s where snow and rain are expected

Red zone: Along the I-81 corridor and up to Frederick County, Maryland is where the storm will have the biggest impacts. Snow is expected to arrive in the morning and continue into the afternoon. Even in this zone, the storm will likely end with rain.

But there’s also the chance for some ice in these areas north and west of D.C., including the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Hagerstown area.

Yellow Zone: Between Washington; most of Fairfax, Montgomery and Prince William counties and down through Stafford and Fauquier counties, expect a wintry mix.

“We’re looking at a mix of rain and snow changing over to all rain by the midday and afternoon hours” on Saturday, Draper said.

Green zone: In southern Maryland, central and southern Prince George’s County and up through Anne Arundel County, you’re dealing with mainly rain.

“Could you see a few snowflakes? Absolutely,” Draper said. “But this is just going to be, for the most part, a rainy chilly day for those of you east of I-95.”

Weather radar

Download the NBC Washington app on Apple and Android to use the weather radar on your mobile device.

Timing and snow totals

By 9 a.m. Saturday, we’ll likely have a wintry mix across the area, dropping mainly wet snow around D.C. and areas to the north.

About midday, the rain and snow line is set to be in play right along the I-95 corridor. But the D.C. area can expect a shift to mostly rain in the afternoon.

Rain will exit as we head into nighttime, but there could be a lingering shower or some lingering snow showers out there on Sunday.

We’re talking about a lot of moisture: Nearly an inch of precipitation could fall.

Unfortunately for snow lovers, most of this precipitation will be rain.

If this storm system was all snow, we’d be talking about nearly a foot of snow across the area. But surface temperatures will be too warm, among other factors.

Winter weather advisory issued for parts of Maryland and Virginia

A winter weather advisory will be in effect from Saturday morning through the evening in areas north and west of D.C., including:

• Culpeper County, Virginia
• Fairfax County, Virginia
• Fauquier County, Virginia
• Loudoun County, Virginia
• Prince William County, Virginia
• Spotsylvania County, Virginia
• Stafford County, Virginia
• Howard County, Maryland
• Montgomery County, Maryland

Roads could be slippery in these areas, the National Weather Service warned.

A winter storm watch was issued for the I-81 corridor, including Winchester and Luray.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

A driver in Montgomery County, Maryland, was rescued from a tree early Monday after getting swept away in high water, and more than 5,500 power outages were reported, officials said.

The driver was on Brighton Dam Road in the Brookeville area about 4:30 a.m. when their car got caught in high water. The driver left the vehicle and was swept downstream, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue said.

That person was holding onto a tree when rescuers arrived shortly after. Boats were sent to help, Montgomery County officials said. Two vehicles were seen in the water, officials said. No serious injuries were reported.

Remember: If you see water on a road, turn around, don’t drown.

Most of the D.C. area picked up 2 to 2.5 inches of rain, making this one of the biggest December rainfalls on record, Storm Team4 Meteorologist Chuck Bell said.

Dulles International Airport clocked 2.27 inches of rain, its third-greatest rainfall total for a 24-hour period in December. Washington Reagan National Airport recorded 2.41 inches, and BWI-Marshall got 2.69 inches.

In Maryland, flooding closed lanes on Route 28 near Avery Road in Rockville and on River Road in Bethesda.

In the District, a huge tree was uprooted by strong winds overnight at Massachusetts Avenue and Upton Road NW. Crews were working to clear the tree from the roadway about 5:30 a.m. Another downed tree and wires also blocked lanes along outbound Canal Road NW. Rock Creek Parkway, Virginia Avenue NW and parts of Beach Drive were closed Monday morning because of flooding.

Storm Team4 declared Weather Alerts for Sunday and Monday. A flood watch was in effect Sunday evening for parts of D.C, Maryland and Virginia, and a flood warning continued through 7 a.m. Monday. A wind advisory is in effect Monday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in parts of D.C, Maryland and Virginia. Go here for all weather alerts.

Expect flooding, high winds Monday

Strong winds will be the biggest weather worry Monday as temperatures slowly drop. The heavy rain has come to an end, but the wind will turn to the northwest and continue gusting to near 40 mph all afternoon.

The weather alert continues Monday due to the high winds. Here’s the Storm Team4 forecast.

“If you are going to bring your umbrella, just know, make sure that it is reinforced, because the wind is really going to be quite an issue,” Bell said.

Bell told drivers to take extra time during their morning commutes due to high or standing water in flood-prone areas. Flood waters were expected to recede in the afternoon.

Power outages

About 2,200 Pepco customers in Chillum, Maryland, and 3,000 Dominion Energy customers in Fairfax, Virginia, were without power as of 5 a.m. You can check Pepco and Dominion Energy power outages online. BGE has not reported outages in the D.C. area.

Sunday storm and rainfall

Sunday began with a special weather statement, warning drivers to be careful on the road for dense fog that lasted into the late morning. Storm Team4 Meteorologist Clay Anderson said it was like pea soup.

Rain began after the fog cleared and gradually increased over the day. It picked up after sunset, and the flood watch went into effect at 6 p.m., Anderson said. Prime time for the heaviest rain and strong winds began Sunday at 4 p.m. and continued overnight before ending early Monday.

Despite it being mid-December, temperatures were on the warm side at about 50° overnight.

Most of the area picked up 2 to 2.5 inches of rain from the storm, Bell said. Some models hinted rainfall could total 3 inches – but that would have been highly unusual for December, Bell said.

Washington’s all-time record for daily rainfall in December is 3.1 inches.

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10-day forecast and Christmas travel outlook

Cold, dry weather will follow the storm and last through most of next week.

The early outlook for Christmas travel is good, with dry weather in the days leading up to the holiday. Christmas Eve is expected to have some sunshine and temps between 34 and 50 degrees.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

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Everything’s coming up sunshine for Friday and Saturday. Expect cold mornings, then high temperatures in the mid-50s. It’ll be great weather for seeing holiday lights or hitting up festive pop-up bars, even as a few clouds roll in on Saturday.

Save your Hallmark movie binge for Sunday, though! And make sure that storm drains, gutters and holiday decorations are ready for the heavy rain and strong winds.

As early as sunrise on Sunday, you may hear some raindrops. A couple of showers and sprinkles aren’t out of the question throughout the morning.

“We are in store for another real soaking of rain,” Storm Team4 Meteorologist Chuck Bell said.

Sunday rainfall totals and timing

The heaviest rain will be most likely between 4 p.m. Sunday and 4 a.m. Monday.

Most of our forecast models agree that 2 inches of rain is likely. Some models are hinting rainfall could total 3 inches – but that would be highly unusual for December, Bell said.

Washington’s all-time record for daily rainfall in December is 3.1 inches.

“I don’t know if we can get all the way to the full on record, but we’ll be close. It’ll be, in all likelihood, one of the [top] five or six rainiest December days on record,” Bell said.

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Whether or not any records get challenged, it will be very wet. If you had any high water issues with last Sunday’s storm, be prepared for more issues with this one.

There may be a small chance for a snowflake at the end, but Storm Team4 doesn’t expect enough to cause any significant delays. It’s not forecast to be like last Monday morning.

But much like last week, the storm is set to race out of the region by Monday afternoon.

10-day forecast and Christmas travel outlook

The remainder of the week is shaping up to be cold with highs in the 40s.

The early outlook for Christmas travel is good, with dry weather in the days leading up to the holiday. Christmas Eve is expected to have some sunshine and temps between 34 and 50 degrees.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

A white coating on grassy areas and some enormous falling snowflakes were seen by early risers.⁠ But don’t expect a long-lasting winter wonderland: Snow was finished before most people took their morning coffee break.

Snow totals ranged from under a half-inch to 1.5 inches in the areas farther outside the Beltway, including Prince William County and upper Montgomery County, according to the National Weather Service.

After a nearly snow-free winter last year – D.C. got a measly 0.4″ all season – drivers had to again wipe snow and sometimes ice off their cars. Some slushiness was seen on roads early Monday.

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Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesman Pete Piringer cautioned drivers to use caution on untreated roads or elevated surfaces including bridges and overpasses, which could be slick.

Public schools in Frederick, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in Maryland, plus Spotsylvania and Stafford Counties in Virginia were among those who started late because of the snowy weather. Here’s a full list of school delays.

“It looks scarier than it is going to be,” Storm Team4 Meteorologist Chuck Bell said. “On the whole, roads are just wet.”

Temperatures were near-freezing early Monday and forecasted highs are in the mid-40s. By Monday afternoon, clouds will be long gone and blustery wind will take over. Here’s the Storm Team4 forecast.

Little, if any, evidence of snow will be visible by Monday evening, Bell said.

But about 4 a.m., snowflakes were coming down hard in parts of the region.

Photos show a dusting of white in Rockville and thick flakes falling in Waldorf.

By 6 a.m., the snow turned into a wet wintry mix in Upper Marlboro. Snow remained on grassy areas and parked cars, but melted on Maryland Route 301, leaving wet driving conditions.

On Interstate 270 in the Rockville area, slush along the shoulders of the highway was gone and traffic was running as normal, even with wet roads.

Parts of Montgomery County had some of the highest snow totals in the region: Damascus reported 2.5 inches in one reading and Gaithersburg measured about 1.5 inches, according to the National Weather Service.

In Prince William County, Manassas and Dale City reported about an inch of snow. In Fairfax County, Mount Vernon, Vienna and Chantilly each had reports of more than an inch of snowfall.

The snow comes after a rainy Sunday with 1 to 1.5 inches of rain in the D.C. area.

D.C.’s burst of snow came on the early side this year. The average first snowfall occurs on Dec. 20, Storm Team4 Meteorologist Ryan Miller said.

Does that signal a snowy season to come? Maybe.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is currently predicting above-average temperatures for our region this winter, and Storm Team4 agrees with this. They are also predicting above-average precipitation in our region — and we agree with this as well.

El Niño has set up in the equatorial Pacific, and that could lead to more snow, including the potential for some big snowstorms. El Niño has a profound influence on the weather around the globe. In our area, it normally means more snow.

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The D.C. government issued its first hypothermia alert of the season on Nov. 2, 2023.

D.C.’s Department of Human Services says it will activate a hypothermia alert when the National Weather Service forecasts that temperatures, including wind chill, “will be 32° F or below; or, when the temperature is forecasted to be 40° F or below, and the forecasted chance of precipitation is fifty percent or greater.”

The conditions are dangerous for the elderly and those experiencing homelessness.

If anyone in the region is unhoused or for other reasons needs shelter when it gets too cold outside, there are many resources available in D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

“It’s crucial that people know that there is a safe, welcoming place that they can come inside,” Laura Zeilinger, the director of D.C.’s Department of Human Services, said.

For those in need, use the resources below:

D.C. cold weather resources

“During hypothermia season, the Shelter Hotline and transportation to a shelter are available to residents 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,” the D.C. Department of Human Services said.

• Call 202-399-7093 or 311 for on-demand transportation to shelters.
• If someone is at immediate risk, call 911
• Families experiencing homelessness can contact the shelter hotline or visit the Virginia Williams Family Resource Center at 920-A Rhode Island Ave NE.
• Sign up for free email and text alerts with AlertDC or follow AlertDC on X to get notified of hypothermia alerts
• A map of low-barrier shelters is available here.

Maryland cold weather resources

Frederick, Maryland

• Heartly House emergency shelter hotline for Frederick County (open 24 hours): 301-662-8800

• Frederick non-emergency police number: 301-600-2100

Montgomery County

• 24-hour Homeless Information Line: 240-907-2688
• Crisis Center (open 24 hours): 240-777-4000
• Police non-emergency line: 301-279-8000
• For more information, visit Montgomery County police’s website

Prince George’s County

• Non-emergency police: 301-352-1200
• Emergency Shelter Services/Homeless Hotline: 888-731- 0999
• Sign up for public safety alerts here

Virginia cold weather resources

Fairfax County

• Non-emergency police line: 703-691-2131
• For a list of shelters and more information on the Hypothermia Prevention Program, visit this website

Prince William County

Both of the city’s hypothermia shelters will be available from Nov. 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024. They can serve up to 22 people on a first-come, first-serve basis.

• StreetLight Ministries serves eastern Prince William County. Email thermalshelter@thestreetlight.org or call 703-227-7140. Operating hours are Monday to Sunday, 6 p.m. to 8 a.m.
• Manassas Baptist Church serves western Prince William County. Their phone number is 571-277-0728. Operating hours daily are 7 p.m. to 6:15 a.m., except Wednesdays (8:30 p.m. to 6:15 a.m.)
• For more information, visit their website

Alexandria

• The Winter Shelter: 703-477-5773
• Non-emergency police line: 703-746-4444
• For more information, visit their website

Arlington County

• Non-emergency police number: 703-558-2222
• Shelters outside of business hours: 703-228-1010
• PathForward Shelter Program: 703-228-7803
• New Hope Housing: 703-228-0022
• For more information, visit their website.

Falls Church

• Falls Church Emergency Winter Shelter: 703-854-1400
• Non-emergency: 703-248-5053
• For more information, visit their website

Loudoun County

• Loudoun County Hypothermia Prevention Shelter: 703-777-0420
• Non-emergency: 703-777-1021
• For more information, visit their website

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin both declared states of emergency for their states on Friday ahead of the extreme weather. The move allowed state officials to mobilize crews and equipment.

Storm Team4 was in Weather Alert mode, keeping an eye on the storm’s movements after steady rain began falling in D.C. Friday night.

A number of tropical storm warnings were in effect on Saturday. Coastal flood advisories are in effect through Sunday evening. Go here for the full list.

Power outages and downed trees

In Montgomery County, downed wires closed Twinbrook Parkway between Meadow Hall Drive and McAuliffe Drive, the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) said. Drivers were asked to seek an alternate route and expect significant delays.

A large tree also fell in the 500 block of East Wayne Avenue near Garland Avenue in Silver Spring, damaging wires and a transformer.

And one person was taken to the hospital with minor injuries after an SUV hit a Metrobus on University Boulevard, according to the fire department. MCFRS said weather was likely a factor in the crash, but did not immediately provide more details.

In Northwest D.C., a tree fell into a home in the 3500 block of Overlook Lane NW. Two residents were accounted for and uninjured, but the tree did cause damage to the second floor.

As Ophelia continued through Maryland on Sunday, BGE reported at 1 p.m. it had restored power to over 23,800 customers and had 1,135 customers without power.

Flooding around the DMV

For areas that get coastal and tidal flooding — like those along the Potomac River, Old Town Alexandria and the Georgetown waterfront — Ophelia was expected to be a severe storm. Georgetown’s flood wall was raised Friday in anticipation.

Along Rhode Island Avenue NE, near the location where 10 dogs perished in severe flooding at a dog day care, sand bags were placed along the sidewalk. The newly finished Northeast Boundary Tunnel was also expected to alleviate flooding in the area.

“The tunnel has functioned as expected, collecting millions of gallons of stormwater and sewage and conveying the flow to the Blue Plains plant for treatment. The Northeast Boundary Tunnel (NEBT) completes the Anacostia River Tunnel System which now captures the majority of combined sewage that previously would have overflowed to the Anacostia River. The NEBT also helps reduce the risk of flooding in many neighborhoods,” a DC Water spokesperson said.

Rain helps drought conditions

Saturday’s storm system brought needed rainfall to drought conditions west of D.C. and in the Shenandoah Valley, Storm Team4 Meteorologist Ryan Miller said.

A few areas east of Washington received over 3″ of rain while much of Northern Virginia had between 1″ to 2″. Rain totals were 2.99″ at North Beach in Calvert County, 2.49″ at Andrews Air Force Base, 1.73″ at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, 1.62″ at Manassas and 1.47″ at Dulles.

Showers continued Sunday as the storm moved through the region. As it headed toward the northeast the steady rain pulled away. Lingering showers were possible through the afternoon with conditions expected to dry out overnight.

Canceled events

A number of events in D.C., Maryland and Virginia were canceled or rescheduled due to the expected heavy rain, wind and possibility for flooding on Saturday:

• The Occoquan Fall 2023 Arts and Crafts Show was canceled for both Saturday and Sunday.
• The 10th annual Friendship Picnic in Montgomery County, Maryland was canceled on Sunday.
• The Anacostia River Splash was canceled.
• The Fairfax Fiesta was canceled.
• Alexandria City Public Schools canceled all Saturday activities at its facilities.
• The Falls Church Festival is rescheduled to Sunday.
• The Washington Nationals postponed Saturday’s 1:05 p.m. game until 6:35 p.m. Sunday. Sunday’s game scheduled for 1:35 p.m. is expected to go on as planned.

Storm Team4 is in Weather Alert mode as tropical storm-like conditions are expected.

Steady rain began falling in D.C. Friday night.

If you have outdoor plans for Saturday, they may have to change, Storm Team4 Meteorologist Chuck Bell said. Several events have been called off for Saturday: The Anacostia River Splash and Fairfax Fiesta were canceled. The Falls Church Festival is rescheduled to Sunday. Alexandria City Public Schools canceled all Saturday activities at its facilities.

The Washington Nationals postponed Saturday’s 1:05 p.m. game until 6:35 p.m. Sunday. Sunday’s game scheduled for 1:35 p.m. is expected to go on as planned.

“Be ready to stay put, stay safe and stay inside all day,” Bell said.

“This is just going to be a Saturday to stay indoors. Stay indoors and watch the rain,” Storm Team4 Chief Meteorologist Doug Kammerer said.

But the rain will come in rounds, so there will be breaks. The heaviest rain and strongest win is expected around 2-4 p.m.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm, allowing commonwealth officials to mobilize crews and equipment.

“We want to ensure that all communities, particularly those with the greatest anticipated impact, have the resources they need to respond and recover from the effects of this storm,” Youngkin said in a statement.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore also signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency beginning Friday.

“If you can avoid driving or being out during the storm please do so,” he said. “We are expecting an extended period of strong winds, heavy rainfall and elevated tides.”

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A cyclone in the Atlantic Ocean became Tropical Storm Ophelia, the National Hurricane Center said mid-afternoon Friday. Ophelia was forecast to make landfall Saturday morning.

A number of tropical storm warnings and coastal flood advisories are in effect. Go here for the full list.

Coastal flooding and flash flooding concerns

For areas that get coastal and tidal flooding, this will be a severe storm. Areas along the Potomac River, Old Town Alexandria and the Georgetown waterfront should be prepared in case of rising water. Georgetown’s flood wall was raised Friday in anticipation.

Flash flooding will be a major risk. Never drive on a water-covered road. Turn around, don’t drown.

The Maryland State Highway Administration and Virginia State Police advised drivers to avoid unnecessary travel and to be alert while on the roads.

Areas on the west side of the Chesapeake Bay — including Calvert County and St. Mary’s County — are at risk of storm surge of 3 or 4 feet.

Rain totals may average 1-4 inches for most of our area.

Downed trees and power outages are possible, as well as travel restrictions on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

Airport delays are likely, Kammerer said, so check with your airline before you head out.

How to prepare for storms in DC, Maryland and Virginia

Use Friday to prepare for the storm that’s headed to D.C., Maryland and Virginia, Bell said. Secure your trash cans and potted plants.

“Anything that can blow over or get blown down the road, make sure it is tied up tight tonight because the winds are really going to be ferocious tomorrow. Today is your prep day,” he said.

The Red Cross shared tips on how to prepare.

Here’s what to know about storm timing

Steady rain started falling in Southern Maryland Friday evening and reached the D.C. area about 10 p.m.

On Saturday, periods of hard, heavy rain are expected, and wind gusts up to 50 mph. The closer you are to the Chesapeake Bay and the Eastern Shore, the stronger the winds will be. It will also be chilly. Saturday’s high is expected to be 64 degrees.

The heaviest rain is set to fall about 2-4 p.m. Saturday. This could affect the DC United game scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

The center of the storm is expected to go through the region about 7 a.m. Sunday.

The storm will then push up to the north and west and is not expected to affect the Washington Commanders game Sunday afternoon.

Starting Monday, hit-and-miss rain is expected.

Stay with Storm Team4 and NBC Washington for more details on this developing story. You can download the NBC Washington apps on iOS and Android to get weather alerts straight to your phone. Add our channel to your favorite streaming device to watch News4.

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The high temperature in D.C. Thursday was 96. Dulles International Airport tied a record for July 27 at 98. The high temperature reached 99 in Leesburg and Warrenton.

The heat index is likely to hit 110° on Friday and 108° on Saturday, Storm Team4 says.

Storm Team4 declared a weather alert for the extreme heat. The D.C. area is under a heat advisory through 8 p.m. Thursday, then an excessive heat watch is set for Friday, from morning to evening.

Thursday has been stormy, too. Severe thunderstorms prompted warnings and watches Thursday evening.

Here’s a full list of weather alerts.

You want to take this kind of heat seriously — and the humidity as well, Storm Team4 Meteorologist Amelia Draper said.

Why does it feel so hot when the humidity is this high? It’s like when you get out of the shower and get chilly — water evaporating from your body cools you down.

“When there’s so much moisture in the air, and you don’t have that evaporation going on, you’re kind of baking yourself. Or sous viding yourself,” Draper said.

Here’s a deeper look at humidity and feels-like temperatures.

Staying safe in extreme heat

Everyone is vulnerable to heat-related illnesses but particularly the elderly, children, people who work outside and pets, according to the Prince George’s County Health Department.

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How do you avoid heat-related illness?

To stay safe, drink plenty of water, wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing and avoid spending time in the sun. Watch for signs of heat-related illness.

Seek air conditioning; libraries, rec centers and community centers are often used as cooling centers. Here are information and heat safety resources for D.C.; Montgomery County and Prince George’s County in Maryland; Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Loudoun County and Prince William County in Virginia.

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

The D.C. area is under a code orange (“unhealthy for sensitive groups”) alert Friday and people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teens need to choose less strenuous activities outside or shorten the amount of time they spend outside, according to AirNow.gov.

One noticeable improvement Friday morning: the sky is visible, a stark contrast to the thick haze that nearly completely hid the Washington Monument on Thursday.

The air quality worsened from a code red (“unhealthy”) on Wednesday to purple (“very unhealthy”), and then maroon (“hazardous”) in parts of D.C. on Thursday as smoke from wildfires burning in Canada brought some of the most polluted air ever recorded in the region.

The poor air quality led the Washington Nationals to postpone their Thursday game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the National Zoo closed Thursday and schools moved recess indoors. People who worked outside reported feeling weighed down.

It’s the unseen pollution that poses the greatest health risk, health and environmental officials say.

D.C.’s Air Quality Index (AQI) for PM2.5 — teeny tiny and potentially dangerous particulate matter in the air — hit 314 on Thursday morning. Anything above 301 is considered hazardous. That number dropped to 122 Friday morning, AirNow.gov reported.

PM2.5 particulate matter is so small that it can get deep into the lungs, and possibly your bloodstream. Even short-term exposure can be dangerous, according to the American Lung Association (ALA).

“Premature deaths from breathing these particles can occur on the very day that particle levels are high, or up to a month or two afterward. Most premature deaths are from respiratory and cardiovascular causes,” the ALA said.

Coughing, wheezing, reduced lung function, asthma attacks, heart attacks and strokes are also linked to particle pollution.

Air purifiers can help reduce pollution in your home; even running an air conditioner can help — as long as it doesn’t pull in air from outside, AirNow said. You can also use a box fan, cheap filter and some twine to create a DIY filter, NBC News’ Jacob Ward explained on TikTok.

Poor air quality can harm your health

Dr. Bobby Mahajan with the American Lung Association recommended that people with underlying heart and lung conditions stay inside.

“People with emphysema, people with asthma — those individuals are at higher risk of getting exacerbations of their disease. So, they’ve got to be really careful about their symptoms,” he said.

Mahajan said everyone should keep an eye out for any symptoms. Even young, healthy people may feel the effects of the smog if they walk around outside or go running.

Don’t let a lack of immediate symptoms in children fool you. Kids’ health can deteriorate as a day progresses, Dr. Shilpa Patel of Children’s National Hospital said. Look out for any irritation to the airways, particularly for a child with asthma.

More than 400 active wildfires are still burning in Canadian provinces and territories.

When will the air quality improve in the DC area?

Poor air quality will stick around Friday, but scattered showers will help to “rinse” much of the smoke out of the air, Storm Team4 Meteorologist Chuck Bell said.

Saturday and Sunday are expected to be remarkably better, with sunshine and clearer skies for weekend activities.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Stay with NBC Washington and Storm Team4 for updates.

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The air quality worsened from a code red (“unhealthy”) on Wednesday to purple (“very unhealthy”), and then maroon (“hazardous”) in parts of D.C. on Thursday, the federal government’s AirNow website said.

The air quality since has returned to code red, Storm Team4 Chief Meteorologist Doug Kammerer said, but for a time Thursday, the D.C. area had the worst air quality in the world.

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) issued a code purple health advisory, noting it’s the region’s first code purple day for fine particle pollution.

“We’re asking people to take heed. I think the basics of it are: If you don’t have to be outside, don’t be outside. If you do need to be outside, wear a mask,” D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said Thursday morning.

Heavy smog surrounded D.C.’s monuments and Northern Virginia’s airports. Many people on the streets wore face masks.

The Washington Nationals postponed their Thursday game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Tickets for the delayed game will be honored for the rescheduled date, June 22, the team said. The Washington Commanders moved their practice into their indoor practice bubble.

The National Zoo closed because of the poor air quality, schools moved recess indoors and people who work outside reported feeling weighed down. Anyone who needs to spend time outside is advised to wear an N95 or KN95 mask.

People with heart or lung conditions are urged to be extra cautious and reduce activity levels.

It’s the unseen pollution that poses the greatest health risk, health and environmental officials say.

D.C.’s Air Quality Index (AQI) for PM2.5 — teeny tiny and potentially dangerous particulate matter in the air — hit 314 on Thursday morning. Anything above 301 is considered hazardous.

PM2.5 particulate matter is so small that it can get deep into the lungs, and possibly your bloodstream. Even short-term exposure can be dangerous, according to the American Lung Association (ALA).

“Premature deaths from breathing these particles can occur on the very day that particle levels are high, or up to a month or two afterward. Most premature deaths are from respiratory and cardiovascular causes,” the ALA said.

Coughing, wheezing, reduced lung function, asthma attacks, heart attacks and strokes are also linked to particle pollution.

That’s why health officials are encouraging people to stay inside and avoid activities that would lead them to breathe in more polluted air.

Air purifiers can help reduce pollution in your home; even running an air conditioner can help — as long as it doesn’t pull in air from outside, AirNow said. You can also use a box fan, cheap filter and some twine to create a DIY filter, NBC News’ Jacob Ward explained on TikTok.

DC mayor urges everyone to ‘stay indoors as much as possible’ or mask

All groups should stay inside as much as possible, and anyone who must work outside should reduce outdoor time and wear an N95 or KN95 mask, Bowser said in a release Thursday.

“This problem is likely to continue or worsen through Friday,” Bowser said on Twitter.

President Joe Biden postponed a Pride Month celebration with thousands of guests on the White House lawn. The event scheduled for Thursday night will be held on Saturday instead. It’s intended to be a high-profile show of support for LGBTQ+ people at a time when the community feels under attack and the White House has little recourse to beat back state-level legislation against them.

Metro warned that the smog may be visible in Metrorail stations, as it’s an open-air system. Metro trains and buses have filtration systems designed to purify the air, the agency said.

Prince George’s County suspended health, construction and property enforcement inspections for Thursday.

In Montgomery County, Ride On buses will be free to ride for the duration of the code red alert in an effort to get people indoors. Ride On Flex and Ride On Extra bus service was suspended as of 3:30 p.m. Thursday and for all of Friday.

Brace for impacts on air travel

The Federal Aviation Administration said reduced visibility from the smoke affected air travel on Thursday.

“We will likely need to take steps to manage the flow of traffic safely into New York City, D.C., Philadelphia and Charlotte,” the FAA said.

There were more than three dozen cancellations at the airports in the D.C. area on Wednesday.

Delays and cancellations began early Thursday at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

Schools cancel outdoor activities, field trips

Prince George’s County canceled all outdoor programming because of the smoky conditions. Officials urged people to avoid visiting playgrounds, trails, parks and golf courses. The facilities that provide indoor space will remain open.

Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, Fairfax County and D.C. Public Schools all canceled outdoor activities including recess on Thursday. Fairfax County canceled field trips.

On Wednesday, the poor air quality caused problems up and down the East Coast, including travel delays and school cancellations. In New York City, the air quality was ranked as the worst in the world, and a Yankees game was postponed because of the hazardous conditions.

Poor air quality can harm your health

Dr. Bobby Mahajan with the American Lung Association recommended that people with underlying heart and lung conditions stay inside.

“People with emphysema, people with asthma — those individuals are at higher risk of getting exacerbations of their disease. So, they’ve got to be really careful about their symptoms,” he said.

Mahajan said everyone should keep an eye out for any symptoms. Even young, healthy people may feel the effects of the smog if they walk around outside or go running.

Don’t let a lack of immediate symptoms in children fool you. Kids’ health can deteriorate as a day progresses, Dr. Shilpa Patel of Children’s National Hospital said. Look out for any irritation to the airways, particularly for a child with asthma.

More than 400 active wildfires are still burning in Canadian provinces and territories.

Weather Alert Jun 6, 2023

DC-area air quality worsens to ‘hazardous' on Thursday. Here's why and safety tips

New York Yankees Jun 7, 2023

Yankees game postponed due to hazardous air quality from Canadian wildfires

When will the air quality improve in the DC area?

The bad news is that the air Friday is still expected to be very unhealthy to breathe, Storm Team4 said. Expect to be under code red and code orange (unhealthy for sensitive groups) throughout the day.

The good news is that improvements are possible Saturday. Sunday is finally looking better, after the wind changes directions.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Stay with NBC Washington and Storm Team4 for updates.

This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

Wildfires in Canada have been sending smoke down into the northeastern United States, and starting Wednesday, that smoke led to dangerous air quality ratings in the D.C. area.

By Thursday morning, air quality declined to code maroon, which is “hazardous,” in the Washington, D.C. region, according to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG). The Air Quality Index was 313 at 8 a.m.; the code maroon range includes anything above 300.

Go here for more updates on Thursday’s air quality alert, cancelations and impacts.

“Everyone should stay indoors and reduce activity levels,” the federal government’s AirNow website said.

An overall code purple alert is expected for Thursday, according to AirNow. Code purple is still “very unhealthy” for everyone, meaning vulnerable groups should avoid physical activities outdoors and everyone should limit exposure or strenuous outdoor activities.

Different areas should expect different air quality ratings, and they may fluctuate throughout the day. You can enter your zip code into the AirNow website, or check the map.

Public schools canceled outdoor activities; the National Zoo shut down on Thursday and the FAA warned of potential flight delays as the air quality worsened.

Christopher Rodriguez, D.C.’s Director of the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, said people should stay inside as much as possible.

“And if you do have to go out and engage in outdoor activities, make sure you wear a [KN95] or N95 mask while you’re out there,” Rodriguez said.

Air quality is expected to be at its worst around D.C. and north, toward Philadelphia. Areas farther south can expect somewhat better air quality.

The region’s air quality is expected to improve by the weekend, Rodriguez said.

The Washington Monument, usually visible from Reagan National Airport, was almost completely obscured by the smoke on Wednesday and Thursday.

“You can taste the air,” one runner in D.C. said Wednesday morning.

Here’s what to know.

The culprit: Canadian wildfires

There are more than 400 active wildfires burning in different Canadian provinces and territories as of Wednesday morning, and roughly 26,000 people were under evacuation orders on Tuesday.

Those wildfires had already burned more than 8.5 million acres in Canada on Tuesday, when smoke from fires burning in Quebec drifted into the U.S. and caused hazy skies and smoky conditions.

New York saw the worst air quality in the world on Wednesday. All five boroughs of New York City reached conditions considered unhealthy for everyone, not just those vulnerable to respiratory conditions.

Air quality advisories were in effect in the Mid-Atlantic region, North Carolina and Indiana on Thursday as the wildfire smoke traveled south. Southeastern Minnesota, parts of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and areas in Wisconsin, plus most of New England were under alerts on Wednesday.

Much of the D.C. area was registering code orange air quality levels on Tuesday afternoon, meaning the level of pollution in the air was high enough to create conditions unhealthy for anyone sensitive to poor air quality, or vulnerable to respiratory conditions.

Air quality deteriorated to code red for the D.C. area by early Wednesday, before hitting the worst level.

What do air quality codes mean?

The Environmental Protection Agency monitors how polluted or clear the air is with the Air Quality Index, or AQI. The scale runs from 0 to 500, and the higher the AQI, the more pollution there is in the air.

Each range on the AQI is given a color. Green is the zero to 50 part of the range, and qualifies as “Good” air quality; yellow is 51 to 100, and qualifies as “Moderate” air.

Code orange is the part of the range from 101 to 150, and means the air is unhealthy for sensitive groups. A code red, which ranges from 151 to 200, is unhealthy for everyone.

Code purple means everyone is at risk of health impacts. Once you get to 301 and higher, people are more likely to be sickened.

See the chart below for the full range of the AQI.

Wildfires release a lot of pollution into the atmosphere. The fine particulate matter in the smoke is especially bad for human lungs, and can cause decreased lung function, throat irritation and shortness of breath, according to the EPA. It can also cause bronchitis and asthma, according to CNBC.

According to research from Stanford University, being “exposed to wildfire smoke causing AQI of 150 for several days is equivalent to about seven cigarettes a day if someone were outside the whole time.”

Air quality measurements can differ from state to state and county to county, and over time throughout the day.

Is poor air quality rare in DC?

The D.C. Metro area typically sees about 10 or fewer code orange days every year.

But the region has not seen a code red air quality day, excluding fireworks, since February 19, 2011, Storm Team4 Meteorologist Amelia Draper said Wednesday morning.

That makes Wednesday’s hazy, hazardous conditions very rare.

But as of June 7, 2023, DC has already seen seven poor air quality days. And on Wednesday morning, Environment Canada said they expect fire season in the country to continue to run well above normal across most of Canada through at least September.

“I think this is going to be a common topic for us here this summer, of our poor air quality, at least our hazy skies,” Draper said Wednesday.

Where was the air quality worst on Wednesday?

Areas like Frederick, Maryland, as well as northwestern Montgomery, Howard and Carroll counties were under a code red air quality alert all day long.

The most unhealthy air, that was seen in New York on Tuesday, also sagged south into the D.C. Metro area on Wednesday morning.

AirNow.gov showed the air quality around 11 a.m. as code red for residents of D.C., Maryland and Virginia, with very unhealthy code purple air quality in Lancaster, Maryland and in Franconia, Virginia.

A number of schools in the D.C. area canceled outdoor activities including recess and sports practices. D.C. Public Schools canceled all outdoor activities for Wednesday.

Fairfax County Public Schools canceled outdoor activities until 6 p.m. And Montgomery County Public Schools canceled these activities for Wednesday as well as Thursday.

When will the smoke go away in DC?

Poor air quality will likely last through at least Friday, Draper said, with Thursday still bringing hazy skies to those in Maryland, D.C. and Virginia.

Possible storms on Friday afternoon and evening could improve the air quality and make it easier to breathe, but the exact timing depends on the direction of the wind, the severity of the wildfires in Canada, and how much rain we get in the D.C. area.

The best chance for rain is Monday, meaning the poor air quality could last through the weekend.

The smoky haze should decrease into next week regardless of when rain arrives.

How can I stay safe from the smoke in DC?

The best way to protect yourself from the negative health effects of wildfire smoke is to avoid breathing it in — which means staying inside as much as possible.

If you typically work out outside, Wednesday and Thursday are good days to hit the gym instead. It’s also not a good day to bring your kids out to the park or the pool, especially if they have allergies, asthma, or chronic health issues.

Pets should also stay inside when the air is unhealthy.

“Other mammals, they suffer from many of the same lung conditions that humans do,” Dr. Purvi Parikh, an allergist and immunologist at the Allergy & Asthma Network, told NBC News on Wednesday.

It’s also a good idea to use the “recirculate” air button in your car, Storm Team4 Meteorologist Chuck Bell said.

“This keeps the outside air OUT and keeps sending the inside air through the filters,” he said.

If you need extra protection from smoky conditions, the Centers for Disease Control recommends finding a room you can seal off from outside air. Consider a portable air cleaner or a filter to keep that room clean.

There are ways to create an air filter yourself using a box fan and furnace filters you can purchase at most grocery stores.

Respirators, like N95s, can help reduce your smoke exposure if you have to be outside in poor air quality conditions, according to the CDC.

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