Residents in the D.C. area might want to keep their umbrellas handy this weekend. The forecast predicts showers likely before 11 am today, with the possibility of a thunderstorm between 11 am and 5 pm. The likelihood of rain doesn't stop after sunset; scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue beyond 5 pm. The high for Saturday will hover near a balmy 79 degrees, accompanied by southwest winds roughly at 11 mph with gusts that could reach up to 20 mph. "Chance of precipitation is 70%," the NWS advises, with new rainfall amounts ranging between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, though thunderstorms may bring higher totals, according to the National Weather Service.
Looking ahead to Saturday night, the skies will begin to clear with a sharper drop in temperature to a low around 46 degrees. The northwest wind, still exuberant, will blow at 11 to 15 mph, and gusts could peak as high as 26 mph. Boaters should take note as "Special Marine Warnings may be needed for thunderstorms crossing the waters this afternoon and evening," as reported by the NWS in their Hazardous Weather Outlook for the Chesapeake Bay and the Tidal Potomac River.
Come Sunday, those in the nation's capital can expect a reprieve from the rain as the NWS forecasts a sunny day with a high near 71 degrees, although winds will persist—blowing from the northwest at around 16 mph with gusts potentially reaching 29 mph. Sunday night's starlit sky will see temperatures cool down to a comfortable 49 degrees with lighter northwest winds of 5 to 9 mph.
Starting the week, Monday promises continued sunshine and a high nearing 77 degrees, perfect for those looking to shake off the dreariness of the weekend's showers. The pleasant weather is set to last through Tuesday, with mostly sunny skies and temperatures soaring to about 85 degrees. The evening will bring a slight increase in clouds and a low around 68, yet "No hazardous weather is expected at this time," as indicated by the same NWS outlook.
However, just like the transience of spring, Wednesday calls for partly sunny conditions, with highs reaching 82 degrees. Nightfall will draw closer, bringing a low around 57 under mostly cloudy skies. As the week progresses, the forecast suggests a return of rainy days ahead. There's a 30% chance of showers on Thursday and a 60% chance lingers through Thursday night, where the low is expected to dip to about 62 degrees. Finally, Friday wraps up the forecast period with a hesitant touch of sun and a 50% chance of showers, with temperatures reaching a high near 83 degrees.
