Storm Team4 forecast: Last day of March brings summerlike temps in 80s in DC, Maryland and Virginia

4 things to know about the weather:

1. Warmer pattern returns
2. Storms likely Wednesday PM
3. Rain likely Easter Sunday
4. Much cooler next week

Another prolonged period of very warm weather begins Tuesday and will last into Easter Sunday.

This final day of March will likely be our our fourth trip above 80° this month. That will tie 2012 for the fifth most 80s in March on record and insure this March will be one of the top 10 warmest Marches since 1872.

Southwest winds will push Tuesday’s highs about 20° above average, with most of the D.C. metro area getting into the low 80s.

Thanks to our changing climate, seven of the 10 warmest Marches on record have all happened since 2012! In fact, our average March temperature has increased 2.5° in just the past 50 years. April isn’t fairing much better. Five of the 10 warmest Aprils have happened since 2010 and the April average has increased 2° over the past 50 years.

The breeze will stay up overnight so Wednesday morning will still be in the low 60s at sunrise. Highs on Wednesday are likely to be within a degree of tying or breaking the current records. DCA & BWI were 88° and IAD was 85° on April 1, 1978. What will be different about Wednesday is the risk for some strong to possibly even severe storms by late afternoon and early evening.

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Differing temperatures on Thursday

The toughest day to forecast will be Thursday. With a warm front laying right over our area, there’s likely to be a very big temperature difference from Howard County, Maryland, to Culpeper County, Virginia.

A wedge of cool air could easily keep the Maryland side of the DMV in the mid-60s while area southwest of the D.C. metro area could reach the low 80s. There’s also a chance for a passing shower or two on Thursday.

Southwest winds will bring everyone back into the 80s for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Friday and Saturday are expected to remain dry but rain chances increase to 80% by the time we get to Sunday afternoon. Much cooler weather returns on Monday with highs likely staying in the 50s.

NBC Washington

NBC Washington

QuickCast

TUESDAY:
Sun And Clouds
Breezy, Much Warmer
Isolated Shower Possible
Wind: Southwest 12-24 mph
Chance of Rain: 10%
HIGHS: 76° to 82°

TUESDAY NIGHT:
Passing Clouds
Breezy
Remaining Quite Mild
Wind: Southwest 12-22 mph
Chance Of Rain: 0%
LOWS: 58° to 64°

WEDNESDAY:
Warm And Breezy
Increasing Clouds
Storms Possible 3-11 PM
Wind: Southwest 10-20 mph
Chance of Rain: 60%
HIGHS: 82° to 87°

THURSDAY:
Mostly Cloudy
Cooler, More-so In Maryland
Scattered Showers
Wind: Southeast 8-18 mph
Chance of Rain: 30%
HIGHS: 66° to 78°

FRIDAY:
Partly Sunny
Warm & Breezy
Few Scattered Showers
Wind: Southeast 8-16 mph
Chance of Rain: 20%
HIGHS: 76° to 82°

Sunrise: 6:54       Sunset: 7:31
Average High: 62°  Average Low: 43°

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