DC-area forecast: Smoky with unhealthy air today. Storms likely Saturday.

Always a human at the helm: Updated around-the-clock by Capital Weather meteorologists.

Happening now: Smoky air means Code Purple (very unhealthy) air quality today and filtered sunshine. The smoke holds temperatures back a bit, with afternoon highs in the 80s to near 90. Limit long or intense outdoor activities.

What's next? Humid tomorrow with showers and storms likely at times. After that, it's looking mostly dry and seasonable Sunday into the early workweek.

Today's daily digit — 0/10: No redeeming qualities with smoky, Code Purple very unhealthy air. | 🤚 Your call?
The digit is a somewhat subjective rating of the day’s weather, on a 0-to-10 scale.

Forecast in detail

Today (Friday): Wildfire smoke is with us today and it's close to the surface, perhaps thickest midday. Stay indoors with the windows closed and AC on when you can. Hazy sun warms us to highs in the 80s to near 90 with light winds. A front, having sagged south of us, should keep storm chances away and allow a bit drier air to flow in, with dew points in the low 60s to near 60. Confidence: Medium-High

Tonight: Probably still smoky as clouds slowly increase. A late-night shower or storm is slightly possible as activity from the west moves into the region while weakening. Lows near 70 to the mid-70s. Confidence: Medium

Hourly Forecast | Pollen, Air & UV

Tomorrow (Saturday): Smoke and haze are still possible, especially morning hours. One morning round of showers and storms may move through with a warm front and area of lower pressure. Highs in the upper 80s to mid-90s could feel as hot as the upper 90s to low 100s because of oppressive humidity (dew points in the mid-70s). There could be a couple of brief morning showers, then potential for scattered strong to severe severe storms after 2 p.m. or so, with damaging winds, hail, and a tornado possible. The good news is that a half inch or more of rain is possible for those who see some downpours. Confidence: Medium

Tomorrow night: At least a couple evening storms could still be strong to severe. Weaker storms may even continue overnight. With oppressive humidity only slowly receding, we don't cool below the low to mid-70s. Confidence: Medium

Sunday: A couple stray, brief showers or storms are possible, but much of the day should be dry. Highs within a few degrees of 85 as drier, less humid air slowly moves in. Skies lean sunny with less smoke potential — fingers crossed. Confidence: Medium

A look ahead

Sunday night: Mainly clear with lows mainly in the 60s. We should be rain-free. Confidence: Medium

Highs in the mid- to upper 80s Monday should be accompanied by a good amount of sun and tolerable humidity. Overnight, a warm front may bring a shower or storm along with muggier conditions. Confidence: Medium

It's probably steamier on Tuesday with highs in the upper 80s to mid-90s. Afternoon and evening storm chances probably return. Confidence: Low-Medium