Forecast: Midweek chill gives way to warm weekend, but where’s the rain?

Freeze Watch tonight for Frederick, Loudoun, Carroll, n. Fauquier counties

Today: Partly to mostly cloudy, breezy. Chance of a light shower. Low-to-mid 50s. | Tonight: Chance of a light shower early, then clearing skies. 30s. | Tomorrow: Mostly sunny, breezy. Upper 50s to near 60. | A Look Ahead | Get Express Forecast by E-mail

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


If you like jackets & sweaters then today’s your day. The rest of us will twiddle our thumbs til the warmth returns. Get the Digit on Twitter| Discuss on Facebook

So let’s not focus on today too much. Not that it’s so horrible, but we thought we were past this kind of breezy chill, no? Good news is, unless you crave the cold stuff, warmer air makes a gradual comeback tomorrow and Friday, before arriving in full force this weekend. Maybe we see a light shower here or there along the way, but probably nothing substantial enough to quench our increasingly thirsty ground.

Today (Wednesday): Not the winningest of Wednesdays, especially given the run of spectacular weather we’ve seen the last month or so. Highs probably don’t do better than the low-to-mid 50s, and winds gusting near 30 mph from the northwest make it feel even chillier. Partly to mostly cloudy skies may squeeze out a light shower or two (30% chance). Confidence: Medium-High

Tonight: Maybe a brief early-evening shower, then clearing skies into the overnight. Lows drop back into the chilly 30s. But I think it’s breezy enough in most spots to keep lows up in the mid-to-upper 30s, except maybe in the far north/west burbs in Frederick, Loudoun, Carroll and northern Fauquier counties, where a Freeze Watch is in effect. Confidence: Medium-High

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

Tomorrow (Thursday): We still can’t seem to kick that persistent breeze, which gusts from the northwest near 25-30 mph. But at least mostly sunny skies and a touch warmer temperatures take the edge off the chill. With highs in the upper 50s to near 60, it’s not bad at all for Opening Day at Nationals Park. Confidence: Medium-High

Tomorrow night: Winds finally do go light, and with mostly clear skies temperatures have no problem sinking - to near 40 downtown, and as low as the low-to-mid 30s in the coldest spots north and west. We’ll let you know if any freeze watches or warnings are posted. Confidence: Medium-High

High pressure is firmly in control Friday, and that means we’ll finish out the week in style with mostly sunny skies, light winds and highs in the low-to-mid 60s. Still mostly clear, but not as cold Friday night with lows from near 40 to the mid-40s. Confidence: Medium-High

Get ready for a partly sunny and significantly warmer weekend. Saturday highs should climb into the 70s, and Sunday highs make a run for the mid-70s to possibly near 80 if mild flow from the southwest really gets going. Can’t rule out an afternoon or evening shower both days, but doesn’t look like anything too disruptive at this point. Saturday night lows are pleasantly mild, in the 50s. Confidence: Medium