TODAY’S DAILY DIGIT
A somewhat subjective rating of the day’s weather, on a scale of 0 to 10.
View the current weather conditions at The Washington Post headquarters.
FORECAST IN DETAIL
One of the warmest Augusts on record does little to surprise us over the next several days. It delivers more hot and sticky weather. Today is a small step in the right direction, though, as the 95-degree-or-higher heat abates (in most spots, at least) and we see more bearable heat. Heat slackens off further tomorrow with fewer widespread 90s across the area. Some spots will have to dodge late-day or evening storms both days, but by Friday, all of us are dry. Shower and storm chances return for the weekend, which will feature temperatures more typical for midsummer.
Today (Wednesday): We experience yet another day of heat and humidity, but more cloud cover compared to recent days helps cap temperatures a bit. It’s still unseasonably hot, with highs mainly in the low to mid-90s, and we could even see the week-long streak of 95-degree highs extend itself for an eighth straight day in the city. Factor in moderate humidity and the heat index will touch or exceed 100 this afternoon. A front in the region may help trigger some widely scattered storms in the late afternoon and early evening. The storms that do develop could cause downpours and frequent lightning, and there is a potential for strong wind gusts. A westerly wind blows at 5 to 10 mph for most of the day. Confidence: Medium-High
Tonight: The shower and storm risk extends into late night, but thunder becomes less likely after dark. While we lose strong wind threat, heavy bursts of rain could be seen with any shower. It is mostly cloudy otherwise, and it remains a warm night with lows in the low to mid-70s. Winds are light and out of the northwest. Confidence: Medium-High
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Tomorrow (Thursday): No big change to the recurring theme of hot and humid, but we’ll be marginally less hot. While most still see highs near 90, many folks may see readings only in the upper 80s. The front will have pushed to the south of the region but should remain near enough to limit sunshine (we’ll call it partly sunny) and induce isolated shower or storm development. Our southern suburbs have the greatest chance of seeing any storms, which could pack downpours and localized strong gusts. More generally, winds blow out of the northwest at around 5 mph. Confidence: Medium-High
Tomorrow night: Isolated showers and storms linger into the evening, but any storm activity wanes dramatically after dark. Skies turn partly cloudy and lows drop to near 70 in the north and west and into the mid-70s inside the Beltway. Winds are light and from the west. Confidence: Medium-High
A LOOK AHEAD
While still hot, Friday should be rain-free thanks to an incoming area of high pressure. Temperatures aim for the upper 80s to low 90s under a mostly sunny sky. Unfortunately, we can’t quite shake off the humidity, which looks to stay at uncomfortable levels. Confidence: Medium-High
Highs remain five degrees above normal on Saturday, or in the upper 80s to low 90s, and late day storm chances resume. It’ll be mostly sunny for the balance of the day. Confidence: Medium
Sunday looks partly sunny and carries with it a greater chance of late-day storms. Conditions remain uncomfortably hot as temperatures should reach the upper 80s to near 90. Confidence: Medium