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The National Weather Service issued a freeze watch for Alexandria and much of the Washington region Sunday afternoon, warning that sub-freezing temperatures could arrive late Monday night and linger through Tuesday morning before a stretch of summerlike warmth settles in.
The watch, announced at 1:20 p.m. Sunday, calls for temperatures as low as 30 degrees, especially in outlying areas away from larger bodies of water. Forecasters said frost and freeze conditions could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
In Alexandria, the weather service is forecasting a low around 34 Monday night, with mostly clear skies and a light north wind. Monday itself will be mostly sunny and breezy, with a high near 56 and northwest gusts up to 25 mph. Scattered sprinkles are possible overnight Sunday and into Monday, with temperatures dropping to around 43 before dawn.
By Tuesday afternoon, the chill will begin to ease. Forecasters expect sunny skies and a high near 62, followed by a milder overnight low around 49.
The warmup accelerates midweek. Wednesday is expected to be partly sunny with a high near 74, though a chance of showers and possible thunderstorms moves in after 5 p.m. Thursday will be sunny with a high near 79, and Friday could reach 83 before showers return for the weekend. Saturday is forecast to be mostly cloudy with showers likely and a high near 78.
The freeze watch covers the District of Columbia; Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria and King George counties in Virginia; and Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George's and St. Mary's counties in Maryland.
Residents were urged to take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent water pipes from freezing, the weather service advised wrapping or draining them, or allowing them to drip slowly.
