Summarizes the National Weather Service: “Overall … very unsettled next week with large swings in temperatures.”

Saturday night squall and high winds

The fun begins Saturday night when an intense cold front sweeps through the region. Squally weather is likely to accompany the front with brief downpours, strong wind gusts, and perhaps some small hail.

The timing is subject to change, but the wind and rain may come pounding between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. overnight.

At 2 a.m. Sunday, the high resolution NAM model shows the potential for sustained 25-30 mph winds and gusts over 50 mph. The National Weather Service has, thus, issued a high wind watch for the region.

Sunday and Sunday night cold

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Behind Saturday night’s front, very chilly air spills into the region while it remains windy. Freezing temperatures are possible in D.C.’s colder suburbs Sunday morning.

On Sunday afternoon, highs struggle to reach 50 throughout the region.

Temperature then dip back down into the 30s Sunday night.

Monday temperature spike, shower-storm threat, and burst of winds

Winds come out of the south on Monday and temperatures surge to near 70 degrees, 20 degrees warmer than just the day before!

But late Monday afternoon and into the evening, a second vigorous cold front dashes through the region with showers and thunderstorms, a few of which could be strong.

Following the frontal passage Monday evening, there may be a period of strong winds, gusting to 30-40 mph or higher, just like Saturday night. Temperatures, meanwhile, plummet.

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Unseasonably cold Tuesday and Wednesday; likely hard freeze

The air following Monday evening’s frontal passage is impressively cold, as simulated by forecast models.

The GFS model shows low temperatures both Tuesday and Wednesday morning in the 20s throughout the region, even in the city. This model may be a few degrees too cold, but widespread freezing temperatures are definitely a possibility, especially Wednesday morning.

Highs on Tuesday may only be in the mid-to-upper 40s before moderating to 50 or so on Wednesday.

Showery and mild Thursday

The temperature seesaw continues late into the week, as the mercury rebounds on Thursday — perhaps to near 60 or so. But then ANOTHER strong cold front marches through the region with periods of gusty showers during the day.

Blustery Friday