Forecast: Showery Friday, Then Blossoms Blow

Thunderstorm possible today; some weekend sun

* Geoengineering and Global Warming | Cherry Blossom Coverage *

EXPRESS FORECAST

Today: Showers ending by late afternoon. T-storm? Increasing wind. 60s. | Tonight: Winds begin. Becoming mostly clear. Mid-40s. | Tomorrow: Mostly sunny. Strong winds continue. Low-to-mid 60s. | Sunday: Partly sunny. Upper 60s. | A Look Ahead

FORECAST IN DETAIL

The center of a strong storm system passes to our northwest today, but close enough to give us periods of showers, maybe even a thunderstorm. Our story then turns windy tonight through tomorrow. So watch out for blowing blossoms on your Saturday trip to the Tidal Basin. But enjoy the weekend sun and seasonable temperatures.

Today (Friday): The umbrella is a must this morning. Periods of showers cap off our work week. Maybe even a thunderstorm? Thanks to an increasing wind from the southeast and south, we'll have moist and somewhat warm air pumped into the region -- enough so to get afternoon highs into the 60s despite mostly cloudy skies. Showers should be finished by late afternoon. Confidence: Medium-High

Tonight: Evening temperatures drop into the 50s as winds really get going and skies begin to clear. Winds could gust as high as near 35-40 mph this evening and overnight. Overnight, becoming mostly clear with lows fairly uniform across the area, in the mid-40s. Confidence: High

Will the sun come out to play this weekend? Keep reading...

Tomorrow (Saturday): Sunshine will prevail -- but so will the wind. After a cool and windy morning, expect seemingly pleasant afternoon highs in the low-to-mid 60s; however, winds gusting to near 35 mph at times will keep things feeling cool. Confidence: Medium-High

Tomorrow Night: Clear and still breezy during the evening, then winds diminish overnight. Low temperatures in the low 40s should once again be farily consistent throughout the region. Confidence: Medium-High

Sunday: Skies start partly sunny. Expect highs a tad warmer -- in the upper 60s -- and light winds. The afternoon will be the warmest-feeling part of the weekend -- get outside and throw that ball around! Clouds could make a comeback late in the day with a chance of showers returning Sunday evening. Confidence: Medium-High

A LOOK AHEAD

The next storm system brings a pretty good chance of showers back to the region Sunday night. At least any rain will have waited until the tail end of the weekend. Lows around 50. Confidence: Medium

Showers could stay around on Monday, especially during the first half of the day. Looks like highs in the upper 50s to low 60s, and becoming windy late in the day and Monday night. Confidence: Low-Medium

Tuesday brings a March-like chill with highs only in the upper 40s to mid-50s and winds probably gusting to at least 30 mph. Ooof! Confidence: Medium