Forecast: Spring sunburst offers summer sizzle

More 80s for highs today through Thursday.

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Today's Daily Digit

 

A somewhat subjective rating of the day's weather, on a scale of 0 to 10.

 

Beautiful day, but afternoon temperatures may push the comfort level a bit.

 

Get tomorrow's 'Digit' on Twitter tonight

EXPRESS FORECAST

Today: Mostly sunny skies and very warm. 84-88. | Tonight: Mostly clear. 58-65. | Tomorrow: Mostly sunny again. 85-89. | A Look Ahead | Get Express Forecast by E-mail

FORECAST IN DETAIL

A large ridge of high pressure will be anchored over the area for most of the next three days. The result will be impressive early season heat for the entire East Coast. Now, these 80s will not equate with the typically more humid summer versions, but we could notice a slight increase in humidity in the coming days. Tomorrow has the best chance to see some areas touch 90 degrees for the first time this year.

Today (Tuesday): Warm flow from the southwest will continue to pump in warmer air under very sunny skies. Temperatures will warm a few degrees compared to yesterday. Look for mid-to-upper 80s for afternoon highs. This long stretch of dry weather is creating optimal cherry blossom viewing. Confidence: High

Tonight: Mostly clear with temperatures only cooling down to the 60s (possibly some upper 50s in the outer suburbs). Light winds from the southwest are expected. Confidence: High

Keep reading for the forecast through the weekend...

Tomorrow (Wednesday): More sunshine and more summer-type heat is expected. Temperatures should again max out in the mid-to-upper 80s, but everyone should be at least a degree warmer than Tuesday. Do not be surprised to see a 90-degree reading in some areas and especially on those notoriously hot bank thermometers. Winds will continue to be slightly breezy from the southwest. Confidence: High

Tomorrow Night: Partly cloudy with lows in the 60s again. Light winds from the southwest. Confidence: Medium-High

A LOOK AHEAD

Thursday is supposed to be transition day as a cold front moves through our metro area. But the timing of this cold front has been gradually slowing down, so we could see sufficient afternoon sunshine (mixed with clouds) to get us up in the 80s one more time. There is a chance (~40%) of late day thunderstorms. More thunderstorms are likely Thursday night (70%) with temperatures dropping down into the 50s for lows. Confidence: Medium

Friday should be partly to mostly cloudy and cooler with high temperatures mainly in the 60s. There is still a chance (20%) of a lingering shower, especially in the morning. Confidence: Low-Medium

The upcoming weekend starts on the cooler side, but we should get the sunshine back at least with highs in the 60s on Saturday. Lows Saturday morning and then again Saturday night should be in the cool 40s. On Sunday, a return to winds from the west could bring temperatures back up to near 70 degrees. And yes, there will likely be sunshine. Confidence: Low-Medium