This morning in Washington, D.C., skies are clear and cool, sitting around 57°F at Reagan National, with a steady southerly breeze already picking up. The calm does not last long: a round of afternoon showers is on tap, with a better chance of thunderstorms late Wednesday night into the early hours of Thursday. Highs reach near 77°F today, followed by a sharper cool-down on Thursday before a warm weekend moves in.
Afternoon Into Night
Showers have about a 50% chance of showing up between roughly 3 and 5 p.m., with southwest winds of 12 to 16 mph and gusts up to about 25 to 30 mph. Any stronger storm cells could briefly kick out sudden, gusty outflow winds. A second, more organized band of showers and thunderstorms is expected to sweep east late Wednesday night into early Thursday, with some spots picking up a quarter to a half inch of rain, according to the National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington.
Coastal Waters And Tides
Small Craft Advisories remain posted for parts of the Chesapeake and the tidal Potomac through the evening and could extend into the overnight, so boaters should be ready for choppy water and gusty winds. Southerly gusts will help push water levels higher, and ensembles show a small chance for minor tidal flooding at Annapolis around tonight's high tide, particularly if winds peak as currently expected.
Weekend Warm-Up
Temperatures rebound quickly, with highs in the mid to upper 80s by Saturday and well into the low 90s Sunday through Tuesday, with Monday and Tuesday forecast in the low to mid 90s. A few afternoon pop-up showers are possible over higher terrain, but most of the metro is in for a dry, hot stretch, so plan outdoor exertion accordingly.
What To Bring
If you have afternoon plans, carry an umbrella and a wind-resistant jacket, and go ahead and secure any loose patio furniture before the gustier periods arrive. Boaters should follow the Small Craft Advisories, and commuters may want to allow extra time for slick roads and brief reductions in visibility during heavier downpours.
Context
Hoodline published an earlier forecast on May 6, and this update keeps a similar schedule for afternoon storms while confirming advisories and an overnight round that will affect the commute and waters tonight. You can find that prior coverage on storms poised to drench D.C.. We will update this page if advisories or timing change.
