Virginia – A crisp, dry wind moves across Annandale before sunrise, shaking loose the last oak leaves and carrying a faint hint of woodsmoke as the region enters a fast-changing weather pattern. While the morning begins calmly, forecasters warn that conditions will shift quickly today and again on Tuesday—right as Thanksgiving travel across the D.C.–Maryland–Virginia corridor accelerates. Motorists should plan for heightened fire danger this afternoon and deteriorating travel conditions by Tuesday evening as a widespread rain system arrives.
Elevated Fire Danger as Dry Winds Strengthen Today
Forecasters at the National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington office say dry air and gusty northwest winds will combine to produce elevated wildfire risk across much of northern and central Virginia today.
Gusts of 25 to 30 mph are expected, and vegetation remains unusually dry after several mild, rainfall-free days.
Residents are encouraged to:
- Avoid outdoor burning
- Secure loose materials that could spark or blow into dry brush
Travelers using I-95, I-66, and other exposed roadways should also be prepared for brief but sudden crosswinds on open stretches.
Rain Moves in Tuesday, Slowing Evening Travel
According to NWS meteorologists, cloud cover will increase early Tuesday as temperatures climb into the upper 40s. A more organised band of steady rain is expected to develop late in the day, becoming widespread Tuesday night.
The evening commute may be the most affected, with a few pockets of heavier rain briefly lowering visibility near Fairfax, Arlington, and Prince William counties. While this system lacks the cold air necessary for early season snow, slightly cooler layers aloft may create a breezy, raw feel by Tuesday night into Wednesday.
A similar pattern was noted in a recent regional outlook from the National Weather Service, which highlighted the potential for travel disruptions tied to broader East Coast impacts.
Damp and Cloudy Conditions on Wednesday
Wednesday is expected to remain cloudy, cool, and damp, with areas of drizzle lingering through the morning. Early Thanksgiving travellers—whether heading to airports or the interstate corridors—should allow extra time for slower travel on wet roads and potential delays, especially as the mid-Atlantic and Northeast both feel the impact of the same widespread system.
Conditions Improve Into the Weekend
By the end of the week, temperatures moderate again, with highs rebounding to near 60 degrees. This period may offer a brief window of mild, workable weather suitable for outdoor decorating, holiday errands, and early market visits.
Five-Day Forecast for Annandale, VA
Monday: 50/31 – Sunny; gusty winds; elevated fire danger
Tuesday: 47/39 – Thickening clouds; rain late; slower travel in the evening
Wednesday: 52/42 – Mostly cloudy; damp feel
Thursday: 54/46 – Cloudy; late-day rain chance
Friday: 63/50 – Milder; chance of rain
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