Sun Mar 30 12:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Record Warmth and Traffic Woes Plague D.C. Area
**Washington, D.C. –** Record-breaking temperatures and significant traffic delays are impacting the D.C. metro area today. The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning due to unseasonably warm conditions, reaching the low to mid-80s, and increased fire risk. Residents are urged to avoid open burning. Smoke from wildfires in the Carolinas is also expected to drift into the region.
Despite the fire warning, the warm weather is drawing large crowds to the National Mall and Tidal Basin to view the peak cherry blossoms, causing significant traffic congestion. Backups are reported on Independence Ave, Maine Ave, 17th Street, and Interstate 395. Adding to the traffic woes is a Nationals baseball game against the Phillies scheduled for 4 p.m.
Further complicating travel, the northbound Baltimore-Washington Parkway is closed between MD-410 and the Beltway due to a crash investigation. Drivers are urged to seek alternate routes.
The warm weather is expected to continue into Sunday, with highs in the upper 70s, before a storm system moves in on Monday, bringing cooler temperatures and rain. Tuesday is forecast to be sunny and much cooler, with highs in the mid-50s.
First Piper 