WASHINGTON, D.C. — A brief warm spell will arrive Sunday, lifting daytime highs by roughly five degrees before a colder front triggers renewed health alerts across the Mid‑Atlantic, officials said Thursday.

The National Weather Service forecasts high temperatures of 62°F in Washington, D.C., compared with a typical 55°F for this time of year. The milder air is expected to linger for only 12 to 18 hours, after which a cold front will push temperatures below 45°F, raising the risk of respiratory illnesses, especially among seniors.

KEY POINTThe National Weather Service forecasts high temperatures of 62°F in Washington, D.

Clinical data from the CDC indicate that each 1°F drop in average temperature correlates with a 2.3% increase in emergency‑room visits for asthma and bronchitis. A recent study published in the *Journal of Environmental Health* found a 12% surge in flu‑like symptoms during similar short‑term warm‑cold transitions in the past decade.

“We’re advising patients with chronic lung disease to keep inhalers handy and limit outdoor exposure during the upcoming chill,” said Dr. Emily Chen, an epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The FDA has not approved any new cold‑weather medications, and existing over‑the‑counter remedies remain the only options.

John Doe, a 68‑year‑old COPD patient from Baltimore, reported that “the brief warm day gave me a false sense of security, and the sudden cold hit made my breathing much harder.” Health officials stress that timely vaccination and adherence to prescribed treatments can mitigate the expected rise in hospitalizations.

Key Takeaways

• Sunday’s high will be about 5°F above normal, but the relief will last less than a day.
• Cold‑related emergency visits historically rise 2‑3% for each degree drop in temperature.
• The FDA has no new cold‑weather drugs pending; patients should rely on existing therapies and preventive measures.

Authorities will issue updated health alerts early Monday, urging vulnerable populations to monitor symptoms, stay hydrated, and seek medical advice promptly as the colder air sets in.