Forecast: Rainy Conclusion to Weekend
By Brian Jackson
Don't expect anything like last Sunday's downpour but another wet close to the weekend is in store. Look out for showers and thunderstorms as a cold front moves through the area this afternoon. Much more tranquil conditions return tomorrow.
Afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Low 70s. A cold front approaches from the northwest triggering some showers and thunderstorms, especially between about 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. A few thunderstorms could approach severe levels with gusty winds and small hail possible. Although showers and storms are a good bet in most locations, they should move through over a period of a couple hours, rather than lasting all day. Rainfall amounts should stay under a quarter of an inch, except higher in locally heavy downpours.
Overnight, the shower activity will wind down and leave us with mostly cloudy skies. Winds will remain breezy, coming out of the west at 10-15 mph. Temperatures will dip to the mid to upper 40s.
Confidence: Medium-High
TOMORROW
Mix of sun and clouds, still breezy. Near 70. Cool winds from the northwest (around 15 mph) stay with us on Monday, putting a cap on high temperatures right around 70. Skies will be sunny for the better part of the day with an increase in cloud cover for the evening.
Monday night brings with it another chance (30%) for some light showers across the area. Most of us should stay mainly dry though under mostly cloudy skies. Lows droo to around 50 (some 40s in the suburbs).
Confidence: High
A LOOK AHEAD
On Tuesday, a quick moving storm system swings through the region. It will generate a good chance (60%) for some rain showers, with the heaviest and most concentrated rain likely south of the metro area. Highs should be in the upper 60s.
Wednesday stands a good chance to be a relatively nice day. Expect a mix of clouds and sun in the morning followed by mostly sunny skies in the afternoon that boost highs to near 70.
Brian Jackson earned his Master's degree in meteorology from Florida State University in August of 2007. He now works at the National Ice Center in Suitland, MD as a snow and sea ice analyst.
By Brian Jackson |
May 18, 2008; 10:00 AM ET
Forecasts
Previous: Post Hunt Forecast: Rain Enters the Riddle |
Next: NatCast: Comfortably Cool, Clouding Up
Posted by: David A. in Stafford | May 18, 2008 6:05 AM
So outdoor activities around 1 today a no go you think?
Posted by: Jake in Reston | May 18, 2008 9:26 AM
David: Maybe a couple tenths of an inch. Still kind of early to pinpoints amounts.
Jake-- Yeah--probably not great outdoors around 1pm...on the showery side.
Posted by: Jason, Capital Weather Gang | May 18, 2008 11:34 AM
Light rain is now falling near downtown Silver Spring.
Posted by: Murre | May 18, 2008 11:46 AM
Many thanks, Jason. BTW, I am in Camp Springs right now and it is raining. I guess the air show is still going on.
Posted by: David A. in Stafford | May 18, 2008 11:51 AM
Awwwwww! I wanted thunderstorms!
Posted by: Model Monkey | May 18, 2008 3:36 PM
Which day of the Phillies-Nats series looks best for baseball fans, Mon, Tues or Weds?
Posted by: week ahead | May 18, 2008 4:41 PM
Not a drop in NW Montgomery but I was in a two hour steady rain in Frederick County.
Posted by: JT | May 18, 2008 6:40 PM
We had light rain off and on for a couple of hours after I posted this morning, then another brief batch a little later. It's pleasant outside right now.
Posted by: Murre | May 18, 2008 6:59 PM
A mere .02 today at my place.
18Z NAM and GFS brings the greatest QP next system across central Va. a little s. of D.C., indicates .50-.75 my area and .25-.50 D.C. area, Monday night and Tuesday.
Posted by: Augusta Jim | May 18, 2008 8:38 PM
week ahead -- I would go to Nationals Park Monday night... showers are possible Tues and Wed night
Posted by: Jason, Capital Weather Gang | May 18, 2008 9:04 PM
OK...tell me what I saw today!
I was driving up 95 today through NJ and saw something beautiful! It looked like a front coming through, black, and the lowest clouds were literally (and I mean literally) brushing the trees along the highway. It had those rough scary clouds hanging down (sorry for the very lay terminology). The front was moving so fast that I watched the strip of black clouds pass over the road within 3 minutes. Then it started raining.
I think it was the fastest I've ever seen a system move by. Somebody tell me about this!
Posted by: Laura in NWDC | May 18, 2008 9:47 PM
Laura: I think you were seeing some scud clouds.
Posted by: Jason, Capital Weather Gang | May 19, 2008 12:34 AM
The comments to this entry are closed.
Brian, how much precip are you calling for on Tuesday and how far south of DC were you talking about as far as the heaviest precip? The latest graphic from the HPC does not show that much in the Stafford area. I hope that holds true.
http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/qpf/fill_99qwbg.gif
Thanks.