Forecast: Warmth Faces Strong Resistance
I know what a lot of people are thinking, myself included: Will it just get warm already? I wish I had better news, but consistent warm weather is not in the cards this week. Like the last couple of weeks, the coming week may have one or two particularly warm days (Tuesday and Friday) with cool weather the rest of the time.
Cloudy, 52-56. A warm front will gradually lift northward, but cool air and clouds will stay socked in due to lingering maritime flow. A few sprinkles or some patchy drizzle is possible, but it should be mostly dry despite the clouds. High temperatures will generally be in the mid 50s.
Due to persistent cloud cover and southerly flow, temperatures won't fall much tonight. Lows will be near 50. Watch out for a stray shower or two.
TUESDAY
Variably cloudy and much warmer with p.m. showers possible. Near 70. The cool wedge of air over the region should finally lift out, resulting in decidedly warmer temperatures. Despite quite a bit of cloud cover, there should be some intervals of sunshine -- especially during the morning to midday hours. During the mid to late afternoon hours, a cold front will approach, so scattered showers and thunderstorms may impact the metro area (50% chance) until the front clears mid-evening.
Overnight it will turn windy and cooler, with lows in the mid to upper 40s.
Keep reading for the forecast for the rest of the week
The tulips didn't mind the the cool weekend weather. Shot Sunday on Cathedral Avenue near Woodley Park by Capital Weather Gang photographer Ian Livingston
WEDNESDAY
A little brisk but dry. 55-60. Cool air will stream into the area, but with a strong April sun and a mild start, highs should still reach well into the 50s. A gusty northwest wind will make it feel a little colder than the air temperature.
Overnight, winds will become calm and skies will clear. Lows will plunge to near 30 in the outlying suburbs to the mid to upper 30s downtown.
A LOOK AHEAD
Clouds increase Thursday, with a chance of rain as a warm front approaches from the south. High temperatures will likely only be in the mid 50s. Like Tuesday, Friday will probably experience a rapid warm-up, with highs reaching well into the 60s. But showers are possible late (just like Tuesday) as another cold front moves through the region.
The weekend looks dry, but still cool, with highs in the 50s to near 60.
By Jason Samenow |
March 31, 2008; 5:00 AM ET
Forecasts
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Posted by: weatherdudeVA (Lake Ridge) | March 31, 2008 8:01 AM
When do we expect to see the rain? (translation: Can I take the motorcycle to work and be back home before it rains? 3:30ish)
Posted by: Mark1 | March 31, 2008 10:14 AM
Right on, weatherdudeVA. As I posted previously, I'm geting sick of this cool drizzly stuff. Actually we deserve better as the jet stream is now well north of us (translation: warm dry weather!). However, I don't need a thunderstorm this upcoming Friday evening due to my big Elks Lodge dance. The severe weather which Sterling is beginning to talk about for that period could cut our dance attendance by up to 20%.
Posted by: El Bombo | March 31, 2008 10:28 AM
drizzles on capitol hill this morning... can't wait for spring!
Posted by: madison | March 31, 2008 10:44 AM
rain=spring...aren't both fall and spring our wet seasons?
Posted by: missy | March 31, 2008 11:19 AM
Mark-- What you see now is what you're going to get today. Patchy drizzle and cool temperatures.
Posted by: Capital Weather Gang | March 31, 2008 11:23 AM
Downtown at 18th&E NW, we are also socked in with this continued heavy drizzle. yuck. it's even umbrella worthy, says my glasses! ha.
Posted by: Camden, Capital Weather Gang | March 31, 2008 12:37 PM
Sorry I was thinking about tomorrow, but forgot to type it.
Posted by: Mark1 | March 31, 2008 1:58 PM
The NAO is currently -.5, which is the lowest since mid December. If only this would have occurred two months ago. This negative trend may continue into mid April. Look forward to unseasonably cool weather and hopefully tons of much needed rain.
Posted by: Augusta Jim | March 31, 2008 2:51 PM
Mark-- Tomorrow is a tough forecast. I think the best chance of rain is between about 5 and 10pm tomorrow, but some isolated showers are possible in the morning as well.
Posted by: Jason, Capital Weather Gang | March 31, 2008 6:13 PM
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I like it when it's either frigid cold or just nice out. I don't like this 45-50 crap with rain. If it's raining give me 65-75 degrees. And I even LIKE gloomy weather! I just hate when it feels like someone is slapping you with a wet noodle outside. This morning was one of those mornings. Felt like a giant lasagna noodle being thwapped up against you. Ew.
With the thunderstorms tomorrow. HAHAHAHAHA. Don't you mean 4 minute burst of heavy rain with wind? It doesn't THUNDER around here anymore. The last few "thunderstorms" we've had were just rain and wind. BOOOOOOO.
At least it seems like it'll be somewhat pleasent tomorrow.
Thanks for the forecast.