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D.C.-area forecast: Cool today, but record warmth is likely Saturday

Highs in the low 40s today leap to the low 70s on Saturday

Plant life along the Georgetown waterfront on Nov. 28. (Diane Krauthamer/Flickr)

Today’s daily digit

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

5/10: Cool air won’t cease, and clouds increase. A good day for a fleece.

Express forecast

  • Today: Increasing clouds and calm. Highs: 42-46
  • Tonight: Partly cloudy with light breezes. Lows: 28-34
  • Tomorrow: Partly cloudy, late-day sprinkle possible. Highs: 47-52

Forecast in detail

Chilly air lingers today, but a warm-up begins tomorrow and goes into overdrive on Saturday. Highs are likely to reach the lower 70s and set records across the area. Light showers along a front late Saturday mark the return of more seasonably cool air on Sunday.

Today (Thursday): The morning should start out with some sun, but around midday, clouds should quickly spread over the area. Winds are nearly calm, which is welcome because highs are only in the low to mid-40s. Confidence: High

Tonight: Clouds decrease gradually in the evening. Lows drop into the upper 20s to lower 30s. Winds are light from the south. Confidence: High

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Tomorrow (Friday): Clouds are on the increase once again, but warmer air is filtering into the area. Highs manage to climb to the low 50s or so. A few sprinkles are possible around sunset, which is awfully early this time of year. Winds remain light from the south. Confidence: Medium-High

Tomorrow night: A few sprinkles may linger in the evening, but for the most part, it is just a cloudy night. South winds begin to build (gusting to 20 mph) as warmer air surges into the area. As a result, overnight lows hold in the upper 40s to lower 50s. Confidence: Medium-High

A look ahead

South winds remain gusty Saturday, and despite partly cloudy skies, highs are likely to hit the lower 70s in most areas. Records (68 at Reagan National, 71 at Dulles, 69 at BWI Marshall airports) are in jeopardy. An approaching cold front should set off light showers later in the afternoon and through the evening. Rain amounts are not likely to exceed a quarter-inch in most areas. Overnight lows plunge to the mid- to upper 30s. Confidence: Medium

Skies quickly clear, but cool air is back Sunday, and highs are mainly in the lower 50s. The clear evening allows a nice view of Venus, Saturn and Jupiter in an arc in the western sky. Overnight lows drop to the upper 20s to lower 30s. Confidence: Medium-High

Monday is mostly sunny and a little milder, with highs in the low to mid-50s. Confidence: Medium-High

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