Washington, D.C., woke up to crisp, clear air on Friday, May 8, with temperatures near 48°F at Reagan National early this morning. Sunshine is set to stick around and send readings into the low 70s this afternoon, although gusty west winds on bridges and other exposed spots will keep things feeling cooler than the thermometer suggests.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
Friday, May 8 stays bright with a high near 72°F and west winds generally 1 to 12 mph. By the afternoon, gusts could reach up to 22 mph. Those bursts of wind can add a chill on bridges and riverfront walkways, so layers are your friend and anything light or flimsy on the patio probably needs weighing down.
Boaters And Tides
A Small Craft Advisory is posted Friday, May 8 from 11 AM to 6 PM for portions of the Chesapeake and the tidal Potomac, with mariners facing choppy water and stronger gusts over open water. The National Weather Service also notes that southerly channeling late Friday into Saturday, May 9 could push water levels toward 1.5 feet above normal at spots such as Annapolis and Havre de Grace. That bump is enough to raise the risk of minor coastal flooding. If you are planning to head out on the water, think about postponing or at least packing extra safety gear and checking local tide forecasts before you launch.
Weekend Outlook
Saturday, May 9 trends milder with highs near 74°F and only a slight chance of rain and isolated thunderstorms, mainly from late morning into the afternoon, along with gusty southwest winds. Sunday, May 10 looks warmer with upper 70s to around 80°F inland, but a cold front is slated to roll through Sunday night, May 10 after 8 PM, bringing likely showers and thunderstorms that linger into Monday morning, May 11. Monday, May 11 cools back down with highs near 63°F and steadier rain a possibility during the morning commute.
Commuters And Events
For Friday, May 8, sunshine should keep most commutes straightforward, although gusty conditions on bridges and overpasses may make bike and pedestrian travel a bit blustery. Event organizers will want to secure canopies and loose signage. The bigger travel headache is more likely overnight Sunday, May 10 into Monday, May 11 when rain and low clouds could cut visibility and slow down morning flights and transit service.
Bottom Line
Enjoy the stretch of sun and mild temperatures from Friday, May 8 into Saturday morning, May 9, but treat the waterfront with respect. Tie down loose gear and avoid small vessels during the advisory. Check the National Weather Service before heading out, and keep an umbrella handy for any late-day weekend plans.
