Happy New Year's Eve! A chilly, frosty start to the final day of 2024 has quickly turned into our third day in the upper 50s and lower 60s as temperatures shot up through the morning. Sunny skies are part of that, with breezy southeasterly winds kicking up being the other reason. These 15-25 mph blustery winds will continue as a fast-moving storm system and strong cold front rip toward us. Scattered showers arrived across western MD around lunchtime, and the rest of us will see a window of unsettled weather late this afternoon and evening. Waves of rain will come across the I-81 corridor from 2-5 PM, followed by DC and I-95, seeing rain and perhaps a few thunderstorms from 4-8 PM. Some heavy rain, gusty winds, and small hail could develop, but we'll need to have the rain jackets ready if you're heading out for an early dinner. It will dry out before the ball drops, with clouds clearing out for most of us before we head into New Year's Day. The only exception to this will be across the mountains, where the combination of falling temperatures and lingering upslope moisture will lead to waves of snow throughout New Year's Day. Across the highest terrain, the snow will be consistent enough that it will accumulate and make conditions treacherous. A Winter Storm Warning is in place through Thursday morning in Garrett County, where 4-8" of snow is likely. A Winter Weather Advisory is in place for the same time frame for Allegany and Mineral Counties, where 1-3" of snow is expected. Across the rest of the DMV, New Year's Day will be more about the wind and chillier temperatures. Compared to early January standards, it won't be all that cold yet, but highs will only hit the upper 40s, which will feel colder after a few warm days. Winds will be stronger as colder air rushes in, with steady west-northwest winds of 20-30 mph expected, with gusts up to 35-45 mph. A Wind Advisory has been put in place across most of the region regarding this threat of stronger winds. It will be calmer but still breezy by Thursday as temperatures continue to tumble, with highs only reaching the lower 40s. An arctic front will approach on Friday, kicking up another round of snow across the mountains. This moisture may make it far enough east for a few flurries to I-95 and DC. This arctic front will cross the area on Saturday, dropping temperatures into the 20s and 30s with another round of wind. Wind chills will fall into the single digits and teens, making this frigid air feel even colder. It does stay dry, at least, with sunshine continuing into Sunday despite the freezing temperatures. Early next week continues to keep our attention, with plentiful cold and our next possible storm system rolling in around Monday-Tuesday. There still isn't a strong enough signal or consistency in the models to lock anything in yet, but if everything were to come together, a winter storm threat could materialize for these days. Have a safe and fun rest of your New Year's Eve and New Year's Day! 7-Day Forecast: New Year's Eve: Partly to mostly cloudy and breezy with scattered rain; a few thunderstorms will be possible. Winds: SE 10-20 mph, High: 59 (54-62) Tonight: Mostly cloudy and breezy with a few showers early. Winds: WSW 8-12 mph, Low: 42 (36-44) New Year's Day: Partly cloudy and getting windy with mountain snow. Winds: WNW 20-30 mph, Gusts: 35-45 mph, High: 48 (42-50), Low: 31 (26-34) Thursday: Mostly sunny and breezy. Highs will be in the upper 30s to lower 40s with lows in the upper 20s to lower 30s. Friday: Mostly cloudy with a few snow flurries possible. Highs will be in the upper 30s to lower 40s with lows in the 20s. Saturday: Partly cloudy, breezy, and colder. Highs will be in the upper 20s to lower 30s with lows in the upper teens to lower 20s. Sunday: Partly cloudy skies. Highs will be in the 30s with lows in the 20s. Monday: Mostly cloudy with a wintry mix/snow possible. Highs will be in the 30s with lows in the middle to upper 20s.