Forecast: Sunshine and dry air a sure bet

A seasonably mild and dry fall weekend ahead

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Today's Daily Digit

 

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Unseasonable warmth with humidity back under control is a real treat.
 
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EXPRESS FORECAST

Today: Mostly sunny and quite mild. 74-78. | Tonight: Crystal clear. 40-46. | Tomorrow: Sunny, breezy and cooler. 56-60. | A Look Ahead | Get Express Forecast by E-mail

FORECAST IN DETAIL

This weekend displays autumn at its finest! Sunny dry conditions make for perfect leaf peeping and the colors are just becoming breath-taking. There are only treats for Marine Corps marathoners on Sunday as well as for the candy crowd later in the day as the mild sunny weather just keeps coming. Look for a little frost on the pumpkin in the western suburbs on Saturday morning.

Today (Thursday): This is one of those classic D.C. days, where the cold front is long gone but the cold air has yet to catch up as it slowly works its way over the Appalachians. As a result, we get warmth like we won't see for quite some time. After a foggy start, temperatures in the 60s during the morning hours soar into the mid-to-upper 70s by afternoon - when temperatures hold steady. Dazzling sunshine dominates with only a wisp of a cloud or two midday. Breezes are 10-15 mph from the west. Confidence: High

Tonight: The clear skies and light winds from the northwest allow temperatures to finally start heading downward in a serious way. Readings don't hit the 50s until after midnight but lows end up in the low-to-mid 40s. Confidence: High

Keep reading for the forecast through Monday....

Tomorrow (Friday): The seasonable morning temperatures are hard to shake off as cooler air continues to funnel into the area. Winds pick up the pace and aid in the colder input as readings struggle to get through the 50s. Most areas are likely to end up just shy of the 60 degree mark. An unfiltered sun makes it feel just fine when you are out and about. Confidence: High

Tomorrow Night: Star studded clear skies and calming winds give the temperatures nowhere to go but down. Jackets or sweaters are a must. The western suburbs well outside the beltway have a good chance of seeing that first frost of the season. Most lows end up in the mid-to-upper 30s. Confidence: High

A LOOK AHEAD

Saturday sheds the chill much more willingly than the day before. A sun filled day is on tap and readings are likely to sneak into the lower 60s in most areas. Tailgaters at the Maryland Terp's and Howard Bison's games can appreciate the light breezes that help waft the smoke from the grills out of their faces. Evening readings hold in the 50s. Lows are still fairly bracing in the upper 30s to mid-40s. Confidence: High

Sunday starts off cool for the Marine Corps Marathon with mid-to-upper 40s for the 8 am start. By the time the average runners finish just after noon readings are nearing 60. For those of us less adventurous, it is just a great sun dazzled day for anything outdoors. Highs in the mid-to-upper 60s and nearly calm conditions can be counted on. For the Halloween trick-or-treaters it should be just fine. Evening readings only slowly slip from the 60s into the upper 50s. Confidence: Medium-High

Monday starts out in the 40s with sunshine still likely. However, a weak upper air disturbance threatens to zip through the area increasing clouds. Rain chances are almost nil as the humidity levels remain quite low. Highs should not be as impressive as the day before but are counted on to make low-to-mid 60s. Confidence: Medium