While I live further south than the DC/NOVA area, I'll predict a very early spring this year.
All my oak trees on my property have started producing buds already, along with the few dogwoods and birch I have.
The squirrel population has quit storing and is now just eating whatever they find.....odd behavior if a lot of cold weather is left.
My Chow has completely blown out her winter coat and putting on her lighter summer-weight coat.....again, very odd in that she never blows out her winter coat this early. This usually happpens around end of Feb. or beginning of March.
We're seeing a lot of birds that usually don't overwinter here appearing already.
Don't think this winter is going to be as cold as predicted or as long.