Forecast: Overdose of overcast

More clouds this afternoon and Wednesday

* The rise and fall of the Potomac River | Warmest Sept. since 1980 *
* Outside now? Radar, temps & more: Weather Wall *

Today's Daily Digit

 

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

 

Your
Call?

Better than yesterday with even morning sun possible, but afternoon clouds and cooler-than-normal weather too.
 
Get the 'Digit' on Twitter

EXPRESS FORECAST

Today: Variably cloudy and cool. Slight p.m. shower chance. 62-66 | Tonight: Mostly cloudy and cool. 44-49. | Tomorrow: More clouds with light showers possible. 63-67 | A Look Ahead | Get Express Forecast by E-mail

FORECAST IN DETAIL

A very slow-moving upper level low pressure continues to dominate our weather story over the next few days. The bottom line for the D.C. area includes more cloudiness than sunshine, more cool weather than warm, and even the chance for spotty showers, especially tomorrow. This entire mess is forecast to vacate our vicinity during the day on Thursday. At that point, clearing skies and warming temperatures set the stage for a better weekend.

Today (Tuesday): Mixed skies this morning may enable our first work week sunshine to peek through for a bit before denser overcast skies take hold again this afternoon. Dryness is expected, but we cannot rule out a stray sprinkle or light shower (20% chance). Chilly weather continues with low-to-mid 60s today slightly cooled by breezes from the northwest at 5-10 mph. Confidence: Medium

Tonight: Partly to mostly cloudy skies and cool weather as lows drop into the 40s. Light winds mainly from the west. Confidence: Medium

Keep reading for the forecast through the weekend...

Tomorrow (Wednesday): The main core of the stubborn upper level low pressure drifts more directly overhead, triggering more cloud cover and even the opportunity for light showers or sprinkles (30% chance). Cool temperatures again with highs only in the 60s and light, variable breezes. Confidence: Medium

Tomorrow Night: Partly cloudy skies are likely with warmer lows in the upper 40s to low 50s. Confidence: Medium

A LOOK AHEAD

Thursday begins the improvement process. The previously stalled upper level low begins to budge and shift east of our area potentially by the afternoon. This should allow for partly sunny skies and temperatures reaching up into the upper 60s to near 70. Confidence: Medium

Friday is leading the pack for best-day-of-week status as mostly sunny skies and warming temperatures into the low 70s are currently scheduled. After a persistent cloud cover situation for much of this week, we'll have little excuse not to be pleased with this weather. Confidence: Medium

The weekend is looking quite nice with mostly sunny skies, highs in the 70s, lows in the 50s. Most importantly, dry weather conditions. There is a chance that a stronger cold front in the northeast could dip down deeper toward our area, but the only impact would be cooler weather than forecast (particularly Saturday night ad Sunday). Otherwise, we have a nice weekend ahead. Confidence: Low-Medium