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Forecast: Brilliant Sunshine & Fall-Like Today
But unsettled with a chance of showers Saturday
* Beautiful Sunrise Over D.C. | Current Temps & More: Weather Wall *
Today: Mostly sunny. Near 70. | Tonight: Partly cloudy & cool. 46-52. Tomorrow: Partly sunny and milder. Sprinkle or two? Mid-70s. | A Look Ahead | Get Express Forecast by E-mail
FORECAST IN DETAIL
A number of CWG visitors were vocally dismayed about yesterday's clouds and showers. Now for the good news: high pressure building over the region today will deliver spectacular sunshine, much lighter winds, and dry conditions. Alas, an approaching cold front will bring more clouds to the area Friday, along with the chance for a sprinkle or two. Scattered showers are possible Saturday as the actual front pushes through, but it should be a far cry from a washout. And, with any luck, high pressure returns on Sunday, drying us out for the start of next week.
Today (Thursday): Though temperatures today in the upper 60s to near 70 will be just like yesterday's, the similarities end there. We'll have no rain, nearly cloudless skies, and less wind (with just a light breeze from the west at 5-10 mph). In a word: delightful. Confidence: High
Tonight: Mostly clear skies during the first half of the night will allow temperatures to drop rather quickly, but increasing clouds as the night wears on should prevent temperatures from completely bottoming out. I think mid-to-upper 40s across the coolest spots to the low 50s downtown. Confidence: Medium-High
Keep reading for the outlook through the weekend...
Tomorrow (Friday): Though tomorrow won't be nearly as sunny as today, I still think we've got a decent chance at partly sunny skies -- intermingled with a good deal of clouds. A few sprinkles, especially during the morning, cannot totally be ruled out but much of the region should stay dry. Wind from the south at 10-15 mph will help boost highs into the mid-70s. Confidence: Medium
Tomorrow Night: As clouds increase Saturday night, there's a slight (30%) chance of a shower Friday night. Bringing an umbrella as you head out probably is a good idea, but I hope you won't have to use it. Noticeably milder overnight lows will be in the upper 50s to low 60s. Confidence: Medium
Depending on the speed of the approaching cold front, as well as how much moisture it has to work with, Saturday's forecast is still relatively uncertain. Best case: partly sunny skies with an isolated shower or two. Worst case: overcast skies with periods of rain. I'm favoring an in-between situation, with mostly cloudy skies, and occasional scattered showers or thundershowers. Highs should make it into the mid-70s. We've got a 50/50 shot at more showers Saturday night, with lows in the upper 50s to low 60s. Confidence: Low-Medium
Sunday's weather depends almost entirely on how quickly the cold front moves through, and how far to the south and east of us it pushes. Confidence is growing that it will push far enough away to leave us with only a small chance of a lingering morning shower, but otherwise partly to mostly sunny skies. Highs should reach the low 70s with overnight lows in the 50s. Confidence: Medium
The outlook for back-to-work Monday is for a return to partly to mostly sunny skies -- fostered by high pressure overhead. Temperatures should be fairly close to normal for this time of year, with highs from 70-75 and overnight lows in the low-to-mid 50s. Confidence: Medium
By
Josh Larson
| October 1, 2009; 10:15 AM ET
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Posted by: CarefulNervousMotherDriving | October 1, 2009 9:28 AM | Report abuse
CarefulNervousMotherDriving, unfortunately, I think there's a 60%+ chance of precipitation during that period. Make of that what you will. But I'll keep my fingers crossed for you ;)
Posted by: Josh-CapitalWeatherGang | October 1, 2009 10:51 AM | Report abuse
Same thing holds for my Bon Air Park picnic--it's a Buddhist-group (SGI) picnic not a swing dance group picnic. I plan to stay home if it keeps raining past 11 AM or if lightning poses a threat during the noon-3 PM time frame. Several TV mets are now minimizing the Saturday rain threat however; it may start clearing by mid-morning.
My weekend dances are indoors so getting to and waiting at the bus stop is the only big rain threat. But I sure wish the much-needed rain crowd would quit sending me worst-possible weather for these big outdoor events. Adding thunderstorms to the mix at this time of year only adds insult to the injury--must be ANTHROPOGENIC GLOBAL WARMING.
Posted by: Bombo47jea | October 1, 2009 12:37 PM | Report abuse
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Trying to decide whether to head to the Fall for Fairfax event on Saturday with my first-grader. I prefer planning to "playing it by ear," but this unsettled weather system is making that tough! ;-) Any thoughts on whether it will stay mostly dry from noon to 4 on Saturday in FFX?