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DC-area forecast: Warmer today, and late-day storms could be strong with some flooding

Looking through the columns of the Jefferson Memorial. It is cloudy. The Washington Monument is in the background.
Morning at the Jefferson Memorial. (Brian Paeth/Flickr)

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

Happening now: Humid highs in the 80s this afternoon. An isolated shower or thunderstorm is possible (except for more significant storms in Frederick County) before showers and storms become likely, especially between 3 and 8 p.m. A flood watch goes into effect for most of the region at 2 p.m.

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What’s next? Flirting with 90 on Friday, with some more storms possible. A weekend mix of additional rain chances Saturday, then sunshine for Sunday.

Today’s daily digit — 7/10: Pretty standard summer warmth and humidity. Keep an eye or ear out for storms starting mid- to late afternoon. | 🤚 Your call?
The digit is a somewhat subjective rating of the day’s weather, on a 0-to-10 scale.

Forecast in detail

Today (Thursday): Mostly cloudy overall but some glimpses of midday sun. Highs reach the mid- to upper 80s this afternoon and it's very humid (dew points in the low or mid-70s) with light winds from the south around 5 mph. A isolated shower or thunderstorm is possible before storms develop to the west during the afternoon. They should push through the DC region from west to east, mainly between 3 and 8 p.m. Some storms could be intense with a risk of isolated to scattered damaging wind gusts and potential for some flash flooding. Confidence: Medium-High

Tonight: Evening showers and storms, some still with potential for damaging winds and flooding, wind down and exit east by about 8 or 9 p.m. Rainfall ranges from a quarter to half-inch in many spots, to near or over 2 inches in the heaviest storms. Once any evening showers and storms end, skies trend mostly clear with lows around 70 to 75. Confidence: Medium-High

[Hourly Forecast | Air, Pollen & UV]

Tomorrow (Friday): Mostly to partly sunny through midday before an increased chance of storms during the afternoon into evening. Highs range from the mid-80s to near 90, but mainly toward the higher end of the range. Winds blow from the west and southwest. Confidence: Medium-High

Tomorrow night: Once any evening storms end, turning partly cloudy, with lows 70 to 75. Confidence: Medium-High

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A look ahead

The weekend features a mix of more afternoon storm threats Saturday and a mainly sunny Sunday. Showers and storms are possible throughout Saturday but probably favor the afternoon or evening. Mid-80s are common for highs both days. Confidence: Medium

Mostly sunny on Monday. Temperatures remain on the cool side for peak heat season, with highs aiming for the mid-80s. Confidence: Medium

Back toward 90 for Tuesday and seemingly hotter beyond for much of the rest of the workweek. Confidence: Medium

On this day

DC weather history for July 9

A torrential 1970 thunderstorm unleashed record rainfall, flooding streets and disrupting travel across the region.

Sunrise5:52 a.m.Sunset8:36 p.m.
Avg High90°Avg Low72°
Rec High104° 1936Rec Low55° 1891Rec Rain4.69" 1970
Read full July 9 weather history →
Ian Livingston

Ian Livingston

Information lead with two decades as forecaster. Journalist covering global weather and climate.

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