JANUARY 30, 2019
WASHINGTON, DC—While DC isn’t experiencing temperatures and wind chills well below zero like many regions impacted by the polar vortex, dangerous cold is moving in nevertheless. The region is under a wind advisory Wednesday and wind chill advisory from the evening into Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasters warn of strong 25 to 35 mph winds with gusts up to 50 mph during the wind advisory. Winds have potential to bring down trees and power lines, resulting in power outages. Combined with the dangerous temperatures, loss of power can be life-threatening, NWS cautions.
The Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang reported that winds were light Wednesday morning but could become gusty by the afternoon. A chance of snow showers midday could complicate visibility and road conditions.
The wind advisory is in effect until 6 p.m. Wednesday in the District of Columbia, the Virginia counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William, Stafford, King George, Fauquier, Loudoun, Augusta, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Frederick, Page, Warren, Clarke and Rappahannock, as well as the cities of Manassas, Manassas Park, Fairfax, Falls Church and Alexandria.
Much of the region should expect wind chills of 5 to 10 degrees below zero Wednesday evening into Thursday. Temperatures will plummet as low as the single digits overnight but return to the 20s Thursday.
The wind chill advisory is in effect from 9 p.m. Wednesday to 10 a.m. Thursday in the District of Columbia, Prince William County, Manassas, Manassas Park, Fairfax County, Arlington County, Falls Church, Alexandria, Stafford County, Fauquier County and eastern Loudoun County.
Counties to the south including Spotsylvania and King George will get the wind chill advisory between midnight and 8 a.m. Thursday. Western Loudoun County could get wind chills 10 to 20 degrees below zero from 6 p.m. Wednesday to noon Thursday.
A wind chill advisory means “cold air and the wind will combine to create low wind chills,” says the NWS “Frostbite and hypothermia can occur if precautions are not taken.” Residents should dress in layers and wear hats and gloves.
Courtesy/Source: Patch
