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Nationals vs. Braves
Friday July 3, 6:35 p.m., Nationals Park

First Pitch	9th Inning	Weather	Chance of Rain
78F	71F	Shower early?	20%

While a passing shower or thunderstorm can't be ruled out, especially leading up to and just before first pitch, chances are good for a mostly rain-free ballgame. Temperatures falling through the 70s and humidity on the low side should feel quite nice for this time of year.

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Quite pleasant on Friday; What about the 4th?

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* Weather Makes for Summer Fun With Kids | The Superior Dew Point *

Little more than a spotty shower (and maybe a rumble of thunder) will dot the landscape through evening. Most locations will stay dry and just see some increased clouds. With highs near 80 in many spots, it may be possible to think it is still June, instead of roughly 48 hours from Fourth of July fireworks. Of course, a weekend starting at least one day early for many will make it easier to remember where we are on the calendar.

Radar: Latest D.C. area radar loop shows movement of precipitation over past two hours. Powered by HAMweather. Refresh page to update. Click here or on image to enlarge. Or see radar bigger on our Weather Wall.

Through Tonight: After the slight risk (20% at any given location) of a passing afternoon or evening shower or thundershower, skies will trend partly cloudy overnight. Evening temperatures falling through the 70s will head for readings between 60 and 65 most spots -- maybe a few cool upper 50s possible in some suburbs.

Tomorrow (Friday): If you've got a three-day weekend starting tomorrow, you will probably be rather delighted with conditions outdoors. Outside the very small chance of an afternoon shower or storm, partly to mostly sunny skies and highs ranging from near 80 into the low 80s will feel quite sweet.

See Josh Larson's full forecast through the Fourth of July weekend
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Fourth of July: It looks like we're headed toward a fairly typical Fourth of July this year. Investigating the last decade of July 4s, the warmest high temperature at National Airport was 99 in both 2002 and 1999 while the lowest high temperature was 81 in 2004. Four of the last five years have had at least some rainfall with over 2" falling on the 'cool' day in 2004. The average high? 88. Just one degree off the warmest daytime average we see all year and pretty close to our current Saturday forecast.

* Full Forecast Through the July 4th Weekend *

Billy and Maria are characters featured in the National Severe Storm Laboratory's downloadable coloring books for children.

School's out for the summer, so what to do with the kids? Be it day camp, day care, a library program or a family trip to the beach, there's bound to be more downtime for both the kids, parents and/or of caregivers than during the school year. In my younger years -- back in the Stone Age of technology -- there were no cable channels for kids, computers and Internet, video games, cell phones, IPods, etc. Suffice to say, back then my sister and I were not atypical in driving our parents crazy in their attempts to keep us from succumbing to boredom wipeout.

But that was then, this is now. For kids lucky enough to have parents and/or care givers who consider themselves weather weenies -- or even those just casually interested in weather -- there are an amazing number of weather-related, Internet-accessible and interactive games, activities, projects, puzzles and more that are sure to provide kids, and those who remain kids at heart, with valuable hours of entertainment and education.

Here's a partial list of resources, some of which I've used with my own grandkids, nieces, nephews and other youngsters:

Keep reading for a list of weather-related resources or kids...

Humidity in check; outside chance of rain on 4th

* Students Do Their Share for Cleaner Air | The Superior Dew Point *

EXPRESS FORECAST

Today: Clouds & sun. PM t'storm? Low 80s | Tonight: Mostly cloudy; shower early? Mid-60s | Tomorrow: Mostly sunny & pleasant. Low 80s | July 4th Weekend | Beach Forecast

FORECAST IN DETAIL

Mother Nature seems to have our best interests in mind (for outdoor activities) for this 4th of July holiday weekend. Most of the next five days will feature at least partly sunny skies, comfortable humidity levels for this time of year, and relatively low chances for precipitation (best chance is today). Temperatures through the period will generally be near or slightly below normal -- not exceeding the 80s. My fingers are crossed it will stay dry on the 4th, but cannot yet provide a guarantee.

Radar: Latest regional radar loop shows movement of precipitation over past two hours. Powered by HAMweather. Refresh page to update. Click here or on image to enlarge. Or see radar bigger on our Weather Wall.

Today (Thursday): Though a few spots (mainly east of town) may see a morning shower or two, skies will give way to at least partial sunshine by afternoon, along with breezy westerly winds of 10-15 mph and slightly below-normal highs in the low 80s. A few scattered showers and thunderstorms may (20% chance) re-develop during the afternoon/evening hours, but they're unlikely to be widespread nor severe in nature, so impact should be minimal. Confidence: Medium-High

Tonight: A couple places may see an isolated shower or thunderstorm during the evening hours, as a weak cold front rolls through the area, but most locations will remain dry, albeit a bit breezy. Skies will eventually become partly cloudy, with overnight lows in the mid-60s throughout the area. Confidence: Medium-High

Keep reading for the holiday weekend forecast...

Mild on Thursday, a few showers possible late

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As a spoke of atmospheric energy passes through, scattered showers and thunderstorms have been hitting the area since late in the afternoon. Additional showers and thunderstorms, some with heavy rain, are likely to spread across parts of the area this evening before tapering off late. Widespread severe weather is not likely, but a few storms could be locally strong.

Radar: Latest D.C. area radar loop shows movement of precipitation over past two hours. Powered by HAMweather. Refresh page to update. Click here or on image to enlarge. Or see radar bigger on our Weather Wall.

Through Tonight: After the threat of afternoon and evening storms -- a few of which could bring briefly heavy downpours, small hail, and gusty winds -- rain chances should wind down prior to midnight. Temperatures that reached highs in the low-to-mid 80s should settle through the 70s this evening and to the mid-60s for lows.

Tomorrow (Thursday): We're still in the same general pattern tomorrow as the last few days, so we start fairly sunny and see increasing clouds during the day. By afternoon, some isolated showers or thundershowers (probably less than today) could dot the area. Highs will once again head for the low-to-mid 80s -- a bit below average for this time of year.

See Dan Stillman's full forecast through the Fourth of July weekend
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Storm Photo Exhibit: If you're a fan of weather photography, then it's time to block off your calendar on July 29 at 7 p.m. Jim Reed, storm chaser and photographer, will be at the Corcoran Gallery of Art that evening to share both his stunning images and tales from the front lines of some of nature's biggest storms. To attend, register online or call 202.639.1774 for snail-mail details.

* Full Forecast Through the 4th | Clean-Air Poster Contest *

Oops... There's a reason you don't see many weathercasters wearing green or blue, the typical chroma key colors.

Wx and the City

* Full Forecast Through the Fourth *

This past spring, students throughout the D.C.-Baltimore area were asked to create posters that addressed "The ABCs of Air Quality: The Air, the Bay and Climate Change." The contest was sponsored by Clean Air Partners, a regional non-profit partnership chartered by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and the Baltimore Metropolitan Council.

All of the student contributions were entertaining and educational, but two stood out the most: Solutions to Pollution and Meet Bob. Danielle Saman and Stephanie Slaven won first place for these well-made posters.

Keep reading for descriptions and images of the posters...

Jury still out for latter part of July 4th weekend

* Dew Points for Dummies | Wrapping Up VORTEX2 *

EXPRESS FORECAST

Today: Mix of sun & clouds. 50% chance of p.m showers/storms. 80-85. | Tonight: Evening showers/storms? Then partly to mostly cloudy. Mid-60s. | Tomorrow: Mix of sun & clouds. A couple showers or storms? Near 80. | A Look Ahead & July 4th

FORECAST IN DETAIL

Every once in a while the forecast leading up to an important weather weekend like that of July 4th is a slam dunk, "bank on it" kind of forecast. That doesn't appear to be the case this time around, as some uncertainty regarding rain chances has crept into the outlook for the latter part of the holiday weekend. Temperatures and humidity, on the other hand, are almost certain to remain rather comfortable right on through the Fourth and beyond, while showers and storms are a legitimate threat later today.

Radar: Latest regional radar loop shows movement of precipitation over past two hours. Powered by HAMweather. Refresh page to update. Click here or on image to enlarge. Or see radar bigger on our Weather Wall.

Today (Wednesday): A similar look and feel to yesterday, with a mix of sun and clouds and a 50/50 chance you'll see a shower or thunderstorm (or two) pass through your neck of the woods during the afternoon or evening. Highs should hit the low 80s with just a hint of humidity. Confidence: Medium-High

Tonight: A passing shower or storm remains possible through evening. Otherwise, we're partly to mostly cloudy through the night as temperatures drop into the mid-to-upper 70s during the evening and to the mid-60s for overnight lows. Confidence: Medium-High

Keep reading for the forecast through the holiday weekend....

Scattered PM showers/thundershowers Wednesday

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Outside a few scattered showers, and increased afternoon cloudiness, today ended up being fairly pleasant for a time of year when we are often baking in high heat and humidity. Highs climbed up into the low-and-mid 80s most spots before being tempered a bit by increased cloudiness and/or rain. A few additional showers are possible headed into evening, but they should be relatively isolated from here out.

Radar: Latest D.C. area radar loop shows movement of precipitation over past two hours. Powered by HAMweather. Refresh page to update. Click here or on image to enlarge. Or see radar bigger on our Weather Wall.

Through Tonight: Isolated showers or thundershowers will come to an end around sunset with the loss of daytime heating. Skies should be partly to mostly clear the rest of the night with lows in the mid-60s for the suburbs and upper 60s downtown.

Tomorrow (Wednesday): If you were OK with today you'll probably like tomorrow -- it should see a near repeat. After starting mostly sunny skies will trend cloudier as the day progresses. During the afternoon and evening there's a risk of showers and thundershowers again, probably a bit more widespread than today. Highs should head for the low 80s most spots.

See Jason Samenow's full forecast through the Fourth of July weekend
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NWS Radars: The National Weather Service (NWS) is seeking input on proposed next generation radar displays. Check out the continental U.S. image to play around with the various features, and don't forget to drop the NWS a note on what you like or what could be improved.

* Moderate Dew Points: Full Forecast Through the Fourth *

I can't say I was surprised that, in a recent reader poll, relative humidity beat out dew point as the preferred metric for describing humidity. Dew point is a technical -- some would say geeky -- term. And the words "dew" and "point" offer no contextual clue that the term has anything to do with humidity, whereas relative humidity speaks for itself.

But the margin of relative humidity's victory shocked me. After nearly 1,000 votes were cast, relative humidity obliterated dewpoint in a 76% to 23% landslide. So does this mean the Capital Weather Gang will, from now on, favor the use of relative humidity?

Actually, as much as I aim to please, no. Not unlike Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, I intend to ignore these results. Before anyone riots in the streets, hear me out as to why...

Keep reading to find out why CWG will continue to refer to dew point and largely ignore relative humidity...