Temperatures to plummet in D.C. as George H.W. Bush lies in state at Capitol Rotunda
The late President George H.W. Bush will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C., early this week, and the temperature is expected to plummet.
"For those planning to visit the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C., to pay their respects to the late President George H.W. Bush, you will want to pack jackets," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski said.
"After a high in the upper 50s on Monday, temperatures hovered in the middle 40s on Tuesday," Pydynowski said. "A breeze generally caused AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures hold in the 30s on Tuesday."
On Wednesday, temperatures are forecast to start the day in the lower 30s with a RealFeel Temperature in the 20s.
"Temperatures will only rise into the upper 30s by the start of the funeral service at the Washington National Cathedral at midday Wednesday," Pydynowski added.
Following a couple of days of partial sunshine, clouds are anticipated to mix with some sunshine on Wednesday. It is not out of the question for snowflakes to streak through the city during the morning and midday hours. Travel disruptions are not expected.
Statement by President George W. Bush on the death of his father, President George H.W. Bush https://t.co/wDD0vnlN8U pic.twitter.com/t7UsDYSKY8
— George W. Bush Presidential Center (@TheBushCenter) December 1, 2018
The Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region task force announced earlier Saturday that it will oversee the state funeral for the late president.
After Wednesday's funeral, the remains of the late president will be flown to Houston, Texas.
He will be buried in his family plot behind the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, Texas, next to his wife, Barbara, who died earlier this year, and daughter, Robin, who died in 1953 when she was 3 years old.
"The weather on Thursday for the late president's burial will reflect the somber mood," according to Pydynowski. "It will be cloudy with a shower dampening the area in the afternoon."
Heavy rain and thunderstorms are forecast to move in on Friday, which can disrupt those traveling home from the ceremony. The rain will be part of a major storm set to spread snow and ice from west to east across the interior South through this weekend.
