Arctic Blast: Fairfax Weather Timeline for Reaching '13 Below Zero'

After freezing temperatures and snow late last week, Northern Virginia can expect to see even colder temperatures—what weather experts are calling a "polar vortex"—Monday and Tuesday, just as many head back to school and work after the holidays.

Here's the breakdown on when the extra-cold weather is expected to hit Northern Virginia in the next few days:

Monday: Rain and Snow
Just as the kids head back to school, the area will likely be dealing with a mix of rain and fog during the morning commute. NWS gives the Fairfax area a 60-percent chance of rain Monday morning with the possibility of snow. Highs in the upper 30s, but temps begin to plummet in the afternoon. Expect wind chills of 12 below, after midnight.

Monday Night: Bitter Cold Starts
Get ready to bundle up. Temperatures will plummet to 6 degrees for a low (and that's not even the wind chill temperature!). Expect wind chills of 12 below after midnight.

Tuesday: Bitter Cold
Kids will really need to dress warmly for school, with temperatures reaching only 15 degrees for a high on Tuesday and a wind chill of 13 below during the day.

Tuesday Night: Bitter Cold
Cold temperatures linger, with lows of 8 degrees for Tuesday night. Wind chill of 1 below.

Northern Virginia will begin to pull out of the deep freeze by Wednesday, when the area will see a "balmy" high in the lower 30s.

FOLLOW FAIRFAX CITY PATCH FOR THE LATEST NEWS AND EVENTS!