Washington, D.C. woke up Tuesday morning, May 26, under a blanket of shallow fog and mist, with temperatures hovering near 66°F. Visibility was trimmed across neighborhood streets and along the Potomac waterfront, putting a drag on the morning rush. At Reagan National, visibility dropped to around 4 miles amid very humid conditions that are expected to gradually improve after sunrise.
Today: Patchy Fog, Spotty Showers
Patchy fog is expected to hang around into the morning, with a slight chance of light rain before 7 a.m. As the day goes on, scattered showers and occasional pockets of fog could pop up this afternoon, with highs near 76°F. The National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington notes that most of the rainfall should be on the lighter side, but slow-moving, brief downpours could still trigger localized street flooding. Overall, the daytime rain chance sits at about 40%.
Tonight And Wednesday: Flooding And Gusts Are Possible
Shower and thunderstorm chances return tonight, mainly between about 8 and 10 p.m. Wednesday looks more active, with broader coverage of showers and thunderstorms and a higher risk of heavy, slow-moving downpours along with gusty winds. These storms could quickly drop a few tenths of an inch of rain, with higher amounts in stronger cells, which is enough to cause backyard flooding and ponding on city streets.
Commute And Safety
Drivers should take it easy in the fog by sticking with low-beam headlights and building in extra stopping distance. Steer clear of standing water on the roads. If thunderstorms develop, head for sturdy shelter, bring in or secure loose outdoor items, and keep phones and other devices charged so you can stay on top of local alerts until the weather settles down.
When It Clears
High pressure is expected to build in on Thursday, ushering in sunnier skies and highs in the upper 70s, with dry, seasonable weather likely holding into next week. For a broader look at the overall pattern, see how D.C. soaked up sun earlier this month.
