Always a human at the helm: Updated around-the-clock by Capital Weather meteorologists.
Happening now: Smoke slowly decreases with shifting winds. Officially, a code orange (unhealthy for sensitive groups) is in effect, but code red (unhealthy) readings may linger during the morning. Expect a steamy afternoon, with scattered strong to severe storms possible.
What’s next? Tomorrow is cooler, drier, and gradually less humid with highs in the 80s. The workweek starts off with improving air quality and seasonable, sunny conditions before storm chances return Tuesday.
Today’s daily digit — 2/10: The air isn't as bad as Friday. But smoke and severe storm chances on a Saturday? Boo. | 🤚 Your call?
The digit is a somewhat subjective rating of the day’s weather, on a 0-to-10 scale.
Forecast in detail
Today (Saturday): Smoke and haze linger this morning into early afternoon before gradually dispersing. Highs climb into the upper 80s to mid-90s, with heat indexes near 100 due to high humidity (dew points in low to mid-70s). A brief shower is possible late morning into early afternoon as a warm front lifts north. Scattered storms are then expected midafternoon into early evening, mainly after 2 p.m., as a cold front approaches. Some storms could turn severe with damaging winds, hail, and heavy downpours, while an isolated tornado can't be ruled out. Over a half inch of rain is possible where the heaviest downpours occur. Confidence: Medium
Tonight: Scattered storms could continue into early evening, especially before 8 p.m., with some still having the potential to become severe. Additional showers and weaker storms may come through during the overnight hours. Unfortunately, there will be little relief from the mugginess, as humidity levels remain elevated. Overnight lows only fall to the low to mid-70s under mostly cloudy skies. Confidence: Medium
Hourly Forecast | Pollen, Air & UV
Tomorrow (Sunday): Partly sunny, less hot, and gradually less humid behind the departing cold front. Unfortunately, some smoke may filter back into the area, although it shouldn't be as thick as Friday. Most areas remain dry, though a few lingering showers or thunderstorms are possible from around Fredericksburg to the south. Highs range from the mid- to upper 80s. Confidence: Medium-High
Tomorrow night: Dry and cooler as humidity continues to decrease. Overnight lows range through the 60s. Confidence: Medium-High
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A look ahead
Dry weather persists Monday with sunny skies and highs in the mid- to upper 80s. Humidity should remain in check, although it may start to rise again later in the day. Still, it should be a nice day to get outside, take a walk, go for a bike ride, or simply enjoy the sunshine. Confidence: Medium
Clouds increase Tuesday as a cold front approaches, bringing our next chance for storms. The front will cross the region late in the day, with showers and thunderstorms a good bet during the afternoon or evening. A few storms could be strong to severe before lighter showers linger overnight. Highs climb into the upper 80s and low 90s. Confidence: Medium
Some lingering showers and storms are possible Wednesday, especially in the eastern half of the area as the cold front slowly progresses toward the coast. Otherwise, expect partly sunny skies and highs in the mid- to upper 80s. Confidence: Low-Medium
High pressure builds in behind the front, bringing dry conditions and a bit cooler temperatures to finish out the week.
Jason Samenow contributed to this report.
