Forecast: Sun and Slowly Rising Temperatures

Spring starts cool today before weekend warmup

* Photos: A Ghostly Fog | Later: You, Too, Can Predict the Weather *
* Bob Ryan Challenged on Climate (Ryan, challenger exchange comments) *

EXPRESS FORECAST

Today: Becoming partly to mostly sunny. Upper 40s. | Tonight: Mostly clear. 27-33. | Tomorrow: Partly to mostly sunny. Mid-50s. | Sunday: Mostly sunny. Low 60s. | A Look Ahead

FORECAST IN DETAIL

OK, yes -- this first day of spring is going to be a bit chillier than most would probably like. But at least we have basketball to keep us occupied indoors. And the good news is that temperatures warm slowly but nicely over the weekend. The other good news? The sun will make a good showing into early next week!

Today (Friday): Any leftover morning cloud cover should quickly give way to partly to mostly sunny skies. But highs won't be very spring-like on this first day of spring -- mainly in the upper 40s. Winds behind yesterday's cold front will be breezy from the north, around 10-15 mph. Confidence: High

Tonight: With clear skies and a diminishing breeze, lows drop to the low 30s downtown and upper 20s in the suburbs. Out in the Blue Ridge you could get down to the mid-20s. Confidence: High

How far will temperatures rise this weekend? Keep reading... Also, follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay ahead of whatever weather spring might bring.

Tomorrow (Saturday): After a rather cool morning, partly to mostly sunny skies and highs in the mid-50s will feel pretty good, even if a few degrees below average for the date. And very little in the way of those typical March breezes to chill the air. So, get out and soak up the more-than-12-hours daylight! Confidence: Medium-High

Tomorrow Night: Mostly clear, and we continue with no precipitation worries. Temperatures will still feel chilly -- down to lows near 30-35 (suburbs-city). Confidence: Medium-High

Sunday: A lot of sun, and finally some spring temperatures to go with it. Low 60s are on tap, and some spots could hit 65 if the milder air makes enough of a push. Once again, the morning hours will be on the cool side, but it should be a great afternoon for just about anything outdoors. Sunday night lows should be in the mid-30s to near 40. Confidence: Medium-High

A LOOK AHEAD

On Monday, high pressure should be able to hang in strong enough to keep us mostly sunny and dry, with highs in the mid-50s to near 60. Not bad, but still can't ditch the jacket yet, especially during the morning. Confidence: Medium

The outlook for Tuesday is for our quiet weather pattern to continue, in the form of partly sunny skies and highs in the 50s. Confidence: Low-Medium