Forecast: Steaminess returns and thunder chances

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Today's Daily Digit

 

A somewhat subjective rating of the
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EXPRESS FORECAST

Today: Hot and humid, with chance of t'storms. 91-95. | Tonight: Steamy, storms possible. 78-82. | Tomorrow: Partly sunny, storms likely. 88-93. | A Look Ahead | Get Express Forecast by E-mail

FORECAST IN DETAIL

After the briefest respite from the heat and humidity, we're destined to return to the steamer. Humidity and heat build once again today as the mid-90s are back. Luckily, this time it won't last nearly as long before another cold front brings thunderstorms and cooling rain to the area, ushering cooler and drier air once again. Our upcoming weekend looks promising to start but a tricky disturbance may bring some troubles later on Saturday.

Radar & lightning: Latest D.C. area radar shows movement of precipitation and lightning strikes over past two hours. Refresh page to update. Click here or on image to enlarge. Or see radar bigger on our Weather Wall.

Today (Wednesday): If "above-normal" has replaced "normal" as the new normal, then we're in for a "normal" day. Everybody follow? Good. Dew points creep back up to sticky levels and partly sunny skies will build the heat with highs in the low-to-mid 90s. Those in the mountains could see some storms pop up but the metro area should stay rain-free through the majority of the daytime, with some storms possible this evening. Winds will be generally from the south-southwest at 5-10 mph. Confidence: Medium-High

Thundercast:

Probability: 30-40%
Coverage: Widely scattered
Most likely timing: 7-10 p.m.

Tonight: a weak line of thunderstorms could make their way through in the late evening hours, 7-10ish or so. Otherwise, humidity levels continue climbing as the dew point maxes out in the mid-70s overnight. Lucky for us, most of us will be asleep comforted by air conditioning, assuming power is back on of course. Muggy overnight temps are in the 70s to near 80 degrees downtown. Confidence: Medium

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Tomorrow (Thursday): Our rain threat is most promising (70%) tomorrow as a cold front sweeps through. We're looking at another steamer too, with highs possibly in the mid-90s. A complication is the possibility that clouds leftover from any nighttime rain/storms could lower temps for those stuck in the gray, and could also amplify temperature contrasts that could spark more storms. Nonetheless, expect a sultry summer day with partly sunny skies, warm temperatures, and a good chance of afternoon storms. Winds will be from the west at 5-10 mph. Confidence: Medium-High

Tomorrow Night: Rain should be working its way out of the area by the evening and skies will begin to clear overnight. We'll once again feel the luxury of drier air moving in as a breeze from the north develops overnight at 5-15 mph. Lows will generally be around 70 degrees. Confidence: Medium-High

A LOOK AHEAD

The work week concludes on Friday with a resurgence of pleasant weather. I, for one, won't blame you for playing hookie. Lots of sun and highs in the mid-to-upper 80s will greet those who do, and the rest of us can stare longingly out the windows. We'll also get to enjoy a refreshing overnight, with starry skies and lows in the upper 60s. Confidence: Medium-high

Saturday has gotten a bit tricky. A fast moving system may come rocketing out of the Plains just in time for the late afternoon, though guidance is all over the place with placement and strength. I don't have very high confidence in that right now though so I'll give it a <20% chance. Otherwise, skies will be mostly sunny, with some clouds late, especially with the approaching system, and highs will be in the upper 80s. Overnight, skies will be mostly cloudy, and the possibility of some more showers and storms remains (20%). Lows should reach the low-to-mid 70s. Confidence: Low-Medium

Sunday we'll struggle to break out of the clouds with a disturbance nearby. We'll have a small chance, 30%, for showers and storms late in the day. Daytime highs, should reach the mid-to-upper 80s. Confidence: Low