Washington wakes up under a cloudy sky at Reagan National this morning, sitting at about 72°F as the city slides into a warm, breezy Friday. Skies turn mostly sunny this afternoon with a high near 83°F, and northwest winds build to 6–15 mph with gusts up to around 25 mph. The weekend does a hard pivot late Saturday, when a sharp cold front moves through, bringing overnight showers and a noticeable cooldown for Sunday.
Afternoon Gusts And A Warm Weekend
Northwest gusts will keep things on the breezy side this afternoon and evening, with sustained winds of 6–15 mph and gusts near 25 mph, so outdoor plans might feel a bit wind-whipped. Highs climb into the low 80s today and push into the upper 80s inland on Saturday, keeping things solidly in “feels-like-summer” territory. According to the National Weather Service, temperatures run above normal through Saturday, and elevated fire-weather concerns linger where grasses and other fuels are still dry.
Showers Arrive Late Saturday Night
Rain chances tick up after about 8 p.m. Saturday, with scattered showers turning more widespread overnight as cooler air slides in behind the front. Sunday feels like a different season, with highs dropping into the low 60s. The National Weather Service expects rainfall totals to stay light, only a few tenths of an inch, but notes that stronger gusts behind the front could make the Sunday morning commute a bit blustery. The payoff is a cleaner, crisper air mass that sets up a cooler, drier start to next week.
Boaters And Commuters Should Plan Ahead
A Small Craft Advisory covers the northern and middle waters from this morning into the evening, so boaters should check local marine forecasts and tie down loose gear before heading out. For a look at how this warm-to-cool whiplash has played out over the month, see our earlier report on the chilly D.C. wake-up. If you have outdoor plans Saturday night, keep an eye on the radar; most showers should pass through overnight, leaving cooler, drier weather in place by Monday.
