D.C. area forecast: Fantastic through Friday, humidity returns by weekend

TODAY’S DAILY DIGIT
A somewhat subjective rating of the day’s weather, on a scale of 0 to 10.

10/10:  Super summer situation sets up a Nice Day infatuation.

EXPRESS FORECAST

Today: Sunny, comfortable. Highs: 82-86.
Tonight: Cool, clear, comfortable. Lows: 55-68.
Tomorrow: Another sunny, decent day. Highs: 82-86.

FORECAST IN DETAIL

As we count down the final days of meteorological summer, we are getting treated to some “dessert” thanks to an impressive four-day series of super nice weather. Large, ambling high pressure is responsible for this unusual stretch of stability that combines sunshine, low humidity, warm days and cool, comfortable nights.

The story gets a bit more complicated by the weekend as high pressure high-tails it out to sea and some warmer, muggy air builds back. Temperatures should slowly elevate with the humidity and partly to mostly sunny skies are still favored (not that bad), but some guidance suggests the risk for pm showers/storms, so we’ll need to warily watch the weekend.

Today (Tuesday): After a comfortably cool morning, temperatures gradually build up to afternoon highs in the lower to middle 80s. Low humidity combined with mostly to sometimes completely sunny skies amplify the pleasantness factor as only light breezes blow from the northwest at 5 to 10 mph. Confidence: High

Tonight: Mostly clear and cooler with lows dropping anywhere from the crisp middle 50s in the outer suburbs to the cool middle to upper 60s right in the city. Light breezes continue from the northwest at around 5 mph.  Confidence: High

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

Tomorrow (Wednesday): The parade of Nice Days just keeps coming with mostly sunny skies, low humidity, and afternoon highs in the low to middle 80s again. Light winds from the north keep sending this comfortable air mass into our world. Confidence: High

Tomorrow night: A few clouds possible, but still cool and comfortable with lows ranging from the upper 50s to the upper 60s. Confidence: High

A LOOK AHEAD

Thursday and Friday are both strong Nice Day candidates with mostly sunny skies, highs in the lower to middle 80s, and humidity on the low side. Friday has very slightly more moisture in the air than Thursday, but both should feel quite comfortable. Partly cloudy and unobjectionable Thursday and Friday nights with lows mainly in the 60s. Confidence: High

The weekend watches our cool high pressure exit the scene with a bit more heat and humidity returning. We’ll aim for partly to mostly sunny skies with warmer highs in the upper 80s to around 90 along with some increased humidity. A slight chance of a late day shower or storm is included, but the better chance is Sunday. Saturday night features partly cloudy skies with warmer lows from the middle 60s to the middle 70s. Confidence: Medium