Storm Team4 forecast: Last warm days before cooler weather, April showers in DC area

4 things to know about the weather:

Really nice day ahead
Showers later Friday
Rain likely Saturday
Cooler pattern next week

Thursday and Friday will likely be our last two chances to reach 80° for a while.

That’s really saying something when you consider that to this point in the calendar year, we’ve had the most number of 80° days (13) on record. 1976 and 1945 both had already reached 80° 11 times through April 22. So enjoy the warmth while it’s here.

Plenty of sunshine Thursday and only the slightest chance for a shower southwest of the D.C. metro area Thursday afternoon.

We’ll be near 60° Friday morning. That mild start will give us a leg up on reaching 80° though clouds will be on the increase and rain chances will climb by late in the afternoon. Occasional showers are likely Friday night into Saturday morning.

Rain this weekend

Better chances of a steady, light rain arrive for Saturday afternoon and night. The bulk of the rain will be over by Sunday morning but the entire day will remain quite cloudy and much cooler. Highs near 70° on Saturday will be replaced with highs in the 50s on Sunday.

Rain totals with this first period of storminess will average around 1/4 of an inch with some lucky spots perhaps getting as much as 3/4 of an inch. Monday will be mild and dry with highs in the upper 60s. Tuesday looks cool and rainy. Temperatures will remain in the 50s with hopefully another 1/2 of an inch of rain expected.

Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to check the weather radar on the go.

NBC Washington

QuickCast

THURSDAY:
Mostly To Partly Sunny
Nice And Warm
Isolated Shower Possible
Wind: Northwest 5-10 mph
Chance of Rain: 20%
HIGHS: 78° to 84°

THURSDAY NIGHT:
Passing Clouds
Seasonably Mild
Some Fog Possible
Wind: Variable <5 mph
Chance Of Rain: 0%
LOWS: 55° to 60°

FRIDAY:
Increasing Clouds
Big Temp. Range: Coolest East Of DC
Scattered Showers After 4PM
Wind: East 4-8 mph
Chance of Rain: 40%
HIGHS: 70° to 82°

SATURDAY:
Cloudy And Cooler
Occasional AM Showers
Steadier Light Rain After 3PM
Wind: East 10-15 mph
Chance of Rain: 80%
HIGHS: 62° to 74°

SUNDAY:
Mostly Cloudy, Cool
Few AM Sprinkles
Mainly Dry Afternoon
Wind: Northeast 5-15 mph
Chance of Rain: 20%
HIGHS: 55° to 60°

Sunrise: 6:20 Sunset: 7:53
Average High: 71° Average Low: 51°