Forecast: Somewhat cooler through weekend

T'storms may finally return Fri. night/Sat.

* Heat Advisory for District | Snow flashback | Weather Wall | NatCast *
* Stay cool with a CWG Snowmageddon t-shirt: Check it out *
* Tropical Depression 2 forms in Gulf: Hurricane Tracking Center *

Today's Daily Digit

 

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

 

Your
Call?

This is a mercy rating, just because it isn't quite as hot. Humidity is still uncomfortable.
 
Get the 'Digit' on Twitter

EXPRESS FORECAST

Today: Partly sunny, humid. 93-97. | Tonight: Extremely isolated thundershower possible. Muggy. 69-74. | Tomorrow: Partly cloudy, isolated late day thundershower. 90-94. | A Look Ahead | Get Express Forecast by E-mail

FORECAST IN DETAIL

By David Streit, CWG Meteorologist

It is painful to say that 90s are an improvement but here we are! The cooling is actually courtesy of an offshore low drifting closer to the coast and pushing in some maritime air. Finally, by Friday night a more traditional cooling source arrives as a cold front should set off a good round of thundershowers for the first time in over 10 days. Saturday should be the coolest with more shower/storm chances and most areas not even breaking 90.

Today (Thursday): The morning is likely to start off with a record high low of 80 degrees downtown to go with yesterday's record high. Temperatures are slower to climb, however, thanks to more pop up clouds by midday. But we still top out in the mid-to-upper 90s. Humidity is on the high side as maritime air sneaks in on light winds from the east. Confidence: High

Tonight: This evening is still muggy with upper 80s to lower 90s. There is a very slight chance for an isolated thundershower but just about a 1-in-10 chance. Lows reach the upper 60s to lower 70s. Confidence: Medium-High

Keep reading for the forecast through Monday....

Tomorrow (Friday): The squeeze play is on as the low off the coast continues to drift inland and a cold front approaches from the west. Neither is enough to keep temperatures from rising to the low-to-mid 90s under partly sunny skies. Humidity clings to the area with light winds from the south, our only solace. A late afternoon thundershower is possible (20% chance). Confidence: Medium-High

Tomorrow Night: Clouds increase and so does the chance for thundershowers as the cold front approaches. It still looks like most showers come late at night (50-60% chance), so evening activities are likely to occur without a hitch. Evening readings in the 80s fall to the low-to-mid 70s overnight. Confidence: Medium

A LOOK AHEAD

On Saturday, clouds rule the morning into midday with a strong chance of showers and thunderstorms (60-70%) which have the potential to produce significant rains of half an inch to an inch. Severe activity is unlikely due to the timing of the storms. The sun could make an appearance by mid-afternoon and temperatures zip up to the mid-to-upper 80s. The evening is a winner with drier air coming in on breezes from the northwest under clear skies. Temperatures in the upper 70s to lower 80s should be comfortable. Confidence: Medium

Sunday starts out in the mid-60s in the suburbs to lower 70s downtown. Mostly sunny skies foster a faster rise in temperatures and highs will be back in the low-to-mid 90s. Only moderate humidity, light breezes and no thundershower threat still make this day a winner by comparison with recent days. Confidence: Medium-High

Monday morning lows are all over the place from the lower 60s in outlying areas to near 70 downtown. Once again, plenty of sunshine shepherds temperatures up quickly with highs still hitting the low-to-mid 90s. Humidity remains bearable with nearly calm winds. Another day with minimal thundershowers is a plus for outdoor activities but a negative for thirsty vegetation. Confidence: Medium-High