9:15 a.m. update: We have a couple very light showers moving through the metro — just enough to make you want to open your umbrella. The showers are moving quickly northeast. Beyond the current spots of rain, we should have a fairly solid dry period into at least the early afternoon, and by mid-to-late afternoon we start to run the risk of scattered storms and maybe a few severe storms. The Storm Prediction Center has placed us in a “slight risk” for severe weather today, mainly for the possibility of strong t-storm wind gusts.
TODAY’S DAILY DIGIT
A somewhat subjective rating of the day’s weather, on a scale of 0 to 10.
7/10: A summer weather return, but at least it doesn’t burn.
EXPRESS FORECAST
Today: Partly sunny, warmer, pm storm chances. Highs: 86-90.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, scattered showers, storms. Lows: 66-72.
Tomorrow: Partly to mostly sunny, chance of storms. Highs: 86-90.
FORECAST IN DETAIL
Here we go again. More heat, humidity, and nearly daily shower and thunderstorm chances are the easiest ways to describe the next six days. The semi-good news is that the heat+humidity combination is not that severe, and we’ll get sufficient cloud cover and precipitation chances to break the heat at times. The holiday weekend is looking challenged with storm potentials especially on Friday and Saturday, while Sunday has our best chance for more sun and less rain at least.
Today (Tuesday): Partly sunny today as our summer heat pump turns back on again. South winds at 10-15 mph with gusts to 20 mph pump in warmer and more humid conditions as highs mostly crest in the middle to upper 80s but a few spots (probably Reagan National) hit 90 degrees. Dew points are higher (middle 60s) which means higher humidity, but the breezy conditions may offer some offset to the increased discomfort levels. Clouds increase a little bit this afternoon as we could set off a few showers and thunderstorms. Rain totals vary wildly since storms will be hit and miss, but a few of them run the low risk of being strong or severe. Confidence: Moderate-High
Tonight: Partly to mostly cloudy skies with muggy air dominating alongside scattered showers and storms especially during the evening. Lows in the upper 60s to lower 70s. Confidence: Moderate-High
For related traffic news, check out Dr. Gridlock. Keep reading for the forecast through the weekend…
Tomorrow (Wednesday): Partly to mostly sunny skies prevail as temperatures work their way back into the mid to upper 80s range, with a few 90-degree spots possible. Expect some clouds at times along with the afternoon chance of an isolated shower or storm. Light winds roll in from the west at 5 to 10 mph. Confidence: Moderate-High
Tomorrow night: Partly cloudy with some widely scattered evening showers and storms. Lows drop down into the upper 60s to low 70s with warmest lows in typical urban spots. Confidence: Moderate-High
A LOOK AHEAD
Thursday is this week’s Friday if you’re able to observe the July 4th holiday. The forecast gets a bit trickier as an area of low pressure attempts to lift up from the south. The morning could feature partly sunny skies as temperatures work up into the 80s by midday. We should flatten out in the middle to maybe upper 80s in the afternoon, but maybe not for long as skies turn mostly cloudy with more showers and storms popping up around the area. Some of the rainfall totals from these storms could be locally heavy. Anyone planning getaway travel could find the heaviest rain risks east and south of the city. Mostly cloudy Thursday night with more shower/storm chances as lows drop to the middle 60s to low 70s. Confidence: Low-Moderate.
Friday finds us on the edge of an unsettled pattern situation with partly to mostly cloudy skies, temperatures only managing to make the lower 80s, and still scattered showers and storms that could become more widespread by afternoon and evening. Friday night offers more clouds than stars with scattered showers and storms as lows range from the middle 60s to low 70s. Confidence: Low-Moderate
The rest of the Independence Day weekend looks mixed. Saturday has a higher chance of clouds, showers and storms as highs manage the lower to middle 80s. I think we can find some partly sunny skies at times though at least. Saturday night fireworks may still be challenged by scattered showers and storms as temperatures dip into the middle 60s to low 70s yet again- but not expecting a widespread washout at this time. Our best chance for more sun and less cloud/rain risk is Sunday. We’ll call for partly to mostly sunny skies, highs in the middle to upper 80s, with only a slight chance of an afternoon/evening storm. Humidity throughout the weekend continues in the moderate range (not super-high, but still noticeable). Confidence: Low-Moderate