Forecast: Warmer Today, 80s on the Way!

A great streak of sunny, ever-warmer weather is here

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EXPRESS FORECAST

Today: Sunny, windy & warmer. Mid-60s. | Tonight: Clear and breezy. Upper 30s to mid-40s. | Tomorrow: Sunny and mild. Mid-70s. | Saturday: Partly to mostly sunny and very warm. Mid-80s! | A Look Ahead

FORECAST IN DETAIL

Finally, here is our payoff for recent rainy weather. We'll start our better-weather trend with warmer but windy conditions today, then a gorgeously mild Friday, followed by an almost hot weekend. Soak up the rays, which will be abundant through this stretch. But note that sunscreen is needed as the UV Index will be on the rise.

Today (Thursday): Our sunny streak is off to a good start, albeit on the windy side. We'll dry out fairly quickly from our recent rains, thanks to the combination of mostly sunny skies and winds from the northwest around 20 mph, gusting to near 30 mph. Even with the wind, it'll be a fairly mild day with afternoon highs in the mid-60s. Confidence: High

Tonight: Clear skies persist and winds die down, thus allowing temperatures to fall nicely -- to lows in the mid-40s downtown and some upper 30s outside the Beltway. Sky watchers will once again be able to see stars!... it's been a while since we've had dependable clear skies at night. Confidence: High

How high will the temperatures go? Keep reading...

Tomorrow (Friday): Gorgeous -- sunshine and highs in the mid-70s will tempt you to call in sick. A light breeze will develop from the south, and we still have no humidity to speak of. Does it get much better than this? Confidence: High

Tomorrow Night: Some clouds may pass through, and breezes out of the south persist around 10 mph. Low temperatures will be fairly mild -- in the 50s. Confidence: Medium-High

Saturday: Prepare yourself for some big-time warmth. Highs in the mid-80s will really shock the last bit of winter feeling out of your body. For many, the partly to mostly sunny skies and toasty temps will feel great. But remember our bodies aren't used to this, so make sure to stay hydrated if you'll be out and about (and please use high SPF sunscreen!). A light breeze from the southewest will help keep shady spots quite comfortable. Confidence: Medium-High

A LOOK AHEAD

For Saturday night, partly cloudy skies with a light breeze continuing from the southwest. Temperatures stay mild with lows in the upper 50s to low 60s. Confidence: Medium-High

Sunday and Monday, skies continue partly to mostly sunny, and high temperatures continue in the balmy mid-80s again. Do you like this "broken record" streak? Note that light breezes from the southwest may finally bring in a touch of humidity. Drink fluids and wear sunscreen. Confidence: Medium