D.C. area forecast (June 18-24): Cloudy, cool Monday; stifling heat by mid-week

7:30 a.m. update: Updated to forecast to indicate showers are likely today, rather than just a 30 percent chance. See below.

Today: Cloudy with showers. 75-80. | Tonight: Cloudy, chance of showers. 62-66. | Tomorrow: Partly sunny, 85-90. | Get Express Forecast by E-mail

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


Not the prettiest day with gray skies and maybe a shower. But still gotta like 70s in late June. Get the Digit on Twitter| Discuss on Facebook

For the fourth straight day, temperatures are cooler than average, with clouds and a few showers. But it’s about to turn hot in a hurry. Tuesday’s temps - well into the 80s - are typical, but Wednesday and Thursday are scorching, with highs into the 90s and climbing humidity. We catch a bit of relief by the weekend but it’s still very warm.

Today (Monday): A weak disturbance passing by provides considerable cloud cover and a small chance of showers (20-30 percent east of I-95, and 30-40 percent west of I-95.) likely (60-70 percent east of I-95 and 70-80 percent west). Winds start to flow in from the south increasing humidity a bit, but cloud cover holds highs from 75-80. Those areas with more sun could see low 80s. Confidence: Medium-High

Tonight: A shower is possible (same chances as above), mainly early. Otherwise, it’s mostly cloudy and relatively mild with lows 62-66 (suburbs-city). Confidence: Medium

For related traffic news, check out Dr. Gridlock. Keep reading for the forecast through the weekend...

Tomorrow (Tuesday): It’s the beginning of hotter times. At least partial sunshine emerges, which, when coupled with winds from the south, boosts highs in the mid-to-upper 80s. You’ll also really notice the humidity kicking in, with dew points rising into the upper 60s. Confidence: Mediium-High

Tomorrow night: Here come the muggy evenings. Skies are partly cloudy and with those high dew points, lows only drop from the mid-to-upper 60s in the cooler suburbs to the low-to-mid-70s downtown. Confidence: Medium-High

Wednesday and Thursday are both oppressively hot and humid, with highs in the mid-90s Wednesday and 95-100 to Thursday. It will feel like 100 Wednesday and perhaps as high as 105 Thursday factoring in humidity (dew points near 70). Both Wednesday and Thursday nights are very warm, with lows from near 70 in the cooler suburbs to the upper 70s downtown. Confidence: Medium-High

Friday remains hot, but the core of the heat moves offshore as a modest cold front moves into the region. This front could spark (30-40 percent chance) a few showers or storms, but not widespread rain. Highs range from 90-95. After a few possible evening showers and storms, it’s partly cloudy Friday night with lows 64-73 (suburbs-city). Confidence: Medium

Mostly sunny Saturday, less hot and humid, but still toasty. Highs are 86-90. Probably a good beach or pool day. Mostly clear Saturday night, with lows 60-68 (suburbs-city). Confidence: Medium

Another cold front may punch through the region Sunday. It’s likely quite warm until it passes later in the day, with highs again near 90. A round of showers and thundershowers is a possiblity (40 percent chance). Confidence: Low-Medium