Storm Team4 forecast: Expect heavy rain and possible storms later today in DC

4 things to know about the weather:

1. Dry now, rain by midday
2. Some heavy rain, thunder possible
3. March lion roaring Thursday
4. Frost concerns Friday, Saturday Night

No matter how cool these final days of April are, we will end up with one of the top 10 warmest Aprils on record.

With over 150 Aprils in the record book, five of the 10 warmest (including this year) have all occurred in the last 10 years! The year 2017 tops the list followed by 2019, 2023, 2026 and 2025. Over the last 100 years, April’s average temperature has jumped 4.3°.

This April seems to be running in reverse, with the warmest days in the first half of the month followed by a cool, final week.

Expect heavier rain Wednesday evening

Clouds have thickened overnight and you should be 100% ready for rain Wednesday. Not much happens before the end of the morning commute but sprinkles and light rain will begin to arrive later Wednesday morning and some periods of heavier rain are likely for the evening commute.

If we’re lucky, temperatures may briefly reach the mid-60s before the rain increases.

There will be the risk of an isolated stronger thunderstorm or two but widespread severe weather is not coming out of Wednesday’s set-up. Rain could be moderate to heavy at times between 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. up through 10 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Rain totals should average 1/2 an inch across the area but there is likely to be an east to west band of rain totals exceeding an inch. That band is most likely to set up along or just south of the I-66/Route 50 corridor. The rain ends around midnight and clearing will take place after that.

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

Cooler temps to end the week

By Thursday morning, temperatures will have fallen into the 40s and low 50s. Sunny skies Thursday will be more than offset by a blustery northwest wind. Highs Thursday barely get above 60° for a few hours in the mid-afternoon as winds gust in the 20-30 mph range all day.

Clouds will slowly increase on Friday but any chances for rain later Friday and Saturday won’t add up to much. Just a few drops. The clouds will insure well-below average temperatures. Highs on Friday, with fading sunshine, will only reach the low 60s.

Full cloud cover will keep highs in the 50s on Saturday. Sunshine will return on Sunday with highs just getting back into the low 60s. The next thing to concern ourselves with will be the risk of frost Friday, Saturday and Sunday night – especially along the I-81 corridor.

We’ll keep you posted on this, but our most challenging spring in a long time may have a few more curveballs to throw our way before we’re safely in the growing season.

QuickCast

WEDNESDAY:
Cool, Breezy, Rainy
Few Showers Before 1PM
Moderate Rain, Thunder 1-11PM
Rainfall: 1/4” to 3/4”
Wind: Southeast 10-20 mph
Chance of Rain: 90%
HIGHS: 62° to 67°

WEDNESDAY NIGHT:
Rain Before Midnight
Overnight Clearing
Breezy And Chilly
Wind: Northwest 14-24 mph
Chance Of Rain: 80%
LOWS: 46° to 52°

THURSDAY:
Mostly Sunny
Cool And Dry
Blustery At Times
Wind: Northwest 15-25 mph
Chance of Rain: 0%
HIGHS: 60° to 65°

FRIDAY:
Sunny Morning
Increasing Clouds
1 Or 2 Evening Sprinkles
Wind: West 10-18 mph
Chance of Rain: 20%
HIGHS: 60° to 65°

SATURDAY:
Cloudy Skies
Quite Chilly
Sprinkle/Drizzle Possible
Wind: Northwest 8-16 mph
Chance of Rain: 20%
HIGHS: 56° to 62°

Sunrise: 6:13       Sunset: 7:59
Average High: 73°  Average Low: 53°

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.