Forecast: Falling Temps with Rain, PM Ice N&W

* Winter Weather Advisory N&W of D.C. from 6 p.m. this evening through 11 a.m. Wed. morning (includes Montgomery, Loudoun & Frederick counties) *

* Track Falling Temperatures: Weather Wall | Later: Forecast Update *

EXPRESS FORECAST

Today: Rain. Temperatures falling. 40-45 early, 30s late. | Tonight: Rain, sleet, freezing rain. 30-34. | Tomorrow: AM showers. Warmer. 46-50. | A Look Ahead

FORECAST IN DETAIL

The weather is trying to hamper holiday activities in the coming days with plenty of precipitation, wild temperature swings, and challenges for us forecasters. The trouble stems from a large mass of Arctic air now spilling into the middle of the nation, a fast-moving jet stream, and a bountiful supply of disturbances that will affect our area. So, read today's forecast with caution as it is subject to change. But we'll do our best to stay on top of things!

Today (Tuesday): Clouds will dominate with temperatures steadily dropping from early-day highs of 40-45. Much of the area should be at or below 40 during the afternoon. Periods of rain are likely (90%), but cooling temperatures could turn the rain to sleet and freezing rain in the far western and northwestern suburbs (e.g., Leesburg, Va. and Clarksburg, Md.) by the late afternoon/evening rush. Confidence: Medium

Tonight: Rain continues and for western and northern suburbs it could be sleet and freezing rain for several hours. There's concern that the colder air could reach into the District as well, so the forecast will be monitored closely today. Lows will fall to near 30 west and north to low-to-mid 30s south and east. Confidence: Low-Medium

Keep reading for the forecast through the weekend.

Tomorrow (Wednesday): Morning showers should quickly taper, and warming temperatures should allow any frozen precipitation (primarily in the far northern and western suburbs) to melt away by mid-morning. Highs are forecast to be in the mid-to-upper 40s under mostly cloudy skies. Winds will shift and be from the west. Confidence: Medium-High

Tomorrow Night: Another cold front moves through the area bringing the winds from a more northerly direction again. Clouds should keep temperatures from dropping too far, though, with lows in the mid-to-upper 30s. Confidence: Medium

A LOOK AHEAD

On Thursday, look for highs mainly in the middle 40s with clouds heavy in the morning, breaking up at midday, and then rebuilding again toward mid to late afternoon as yet ANOTHER disturbance approaches. Confidence: Low-Medium

Friday is another wet day, but temperatures could soar from morning lows in the 30s throughout the area to afternoon highs in the low-to-mid 60s due to a warm front. Rain chances are about 60% right now and should continue into Friday night when lows drop back into the upper 30s to around 40. Confidence: Low

The last weekend before Christmas week is looking very, very complicated right now. Another push of cold air should move into the region on Saturday and another storm system could approach late Saturday into Sunday. The way it looks now, the storm appears to have the potential to bring a wintry mix of precipitation Saturday night before possibly changing to rain sometime Sunday morning. Look for Saturday highs from 40-45, lows Saturday night in the 20s to near 30, and highs on Sunday only in the 30s. Confidence: Low

Updated: Dec. 16, 2008, 5:05 p.m.