Winter does not officially begin until Dec. 21, but this past weekend saw temperatures plunge and they aren't likely to budge much until the weekend.
Temperatures will be cooler than normal this week after Monday, reaching only into the mid-40s, according to the National Weather Service. The average high for this time of year in Northern Virginia is 54 degrees, according to The Weather Channel.
The week starts out sunny and "warm" on Monday with a high of 51 degrees with increasing cloudiness into the afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. (The Weather Channel says we could see 54 degrees.)
Temperatures dip Tuesday to the mid 40s. There is a 60 percent chance of rain on Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. There is about a 50 percent chance of showers Tuesday night.
The Capital Weather Gang blog predicts a possible "wintry mix" Tuesday for areas north and west of DC.
Wednesday will see partly cloudy skies with highs in the mid-40s. Thursday should see sunny skies, again with cool temperatures in the 40s for the high.
By Friday, more clouds roll in but temperatures start to crawl back up into the 50s. Temperatures on Sunday should hit about 55 degrees, according to The Weather Channel.
The warmest temperatures for this time of year: 79 degrees in 1973 and 18 degrees in 1950, according to The Weather Channel.
