Climatological winter ends on a springlike note

A brief warm spell brought highs into the 60s with abundant sunshine in the D.C. area, but a cold front will cool temperatures and may bring some wintry precipitation early next week.

A calm, springlike stretch closed out the climatological winter in the Washington, D.C., area on Saturday, with highs mainly in the 60s and widespread sunshine. Capital Weather Gang meteorologists reported temperatures into the 50s by late morning and highs generally near 60 to the mid-60s. A cold front is expected to move through Sunday and will push cooler air into the region. Forecasters note a period of colder nights and a chance of wintry precipitation early next week before a warmer trend returns. Current forecast highlights: - Highs Saturday mainly in the 60s with abundant sunshine; areas near the Potomac and Chesapeake Bay may run 5 to 10 degrees cooler. - Saturday night lows are expected mainly in the upper 30s to lower 40s. - A cold front Sunday will lower highs by about 10 degrees and allow much colder air to move in overnight, with lows dropping into the 20s. - Monday could see highs only in the mid-30s with a chance of snow showers, particularly south of the immediate area. - Tuesday may bring a period of light freezing rain and rain, with highs around 40 to 45 and the possibility of slick spots or light ice mainly on elevated surfaces. - Temperatures are forecast to rebound midweek, near 60 by Wednesday and trending warmer Thursday and Friday, with a potential for 70s by late next week. Summary: The immediate effect is a brief warm spell followed by a sharp cooldown and a period of mixed wintry precipitation early next week. Forecasters report uncertainty about the timing and extent of wintry precipitation early in the week, and they note a transition to milder conditions by mid- to late week with readings rising toward 70 degrees.