Wednesday Daytime Highs to Rise into the Mid-to-Upper 80s… Potential to Break 1975 All-Time High Record
Cold Front Approaching Thursday to Bring Showers and Return Temperatures to Seasonal Averages
The rain clouds that soaked the Washington metropolitan area from Sunday night through Monday morning (the 12th) have cleared, making way for bright sunshine and incoming warm air. Early this week, temperatures are expected to rise sharply, bringing an unseasonable, "early summer-like warm spell."
According to the National Weather Service, skies cleared completely as residual rain clouds dissipated during the day on Monday, with daytime highs reaching the low to mid-70s Fahrenheit. While scattered clouds overnight will cause lows to drop to around 55 degrees, bringing slightly chilly conditions, Tuesday (the 13th) will see daytime highs surge again into the upper 70s to low 80s (73–81°F), continuing the warm trend.
In particular, Wednesday (the 14th) is expected to be the peak of this week's warming trend. Wednesday's daytime highs are forecast to climb into the mid-80s (above 83°F), with the potential to break mid-October all-time high temperature records in some areas. At Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Wednesday's record high stands at 87°F, set back in 1975, and weather officials are closely watching to see if this Wednesday's temperatures will approach or surpass that mark.
However, temperatures are expected to drop again heading into the latter half of the week. As a cold front approaches the metropolitan area, skies will turn mostly cloudy starting Thursday (the 15th), with scattered light showers keeping daytime highs in the mid-to-upper 60s (63–67°F).
By Friday (the 16th), the cold front will pass through in earnest, bringing a chance of rain and strong wind gusts reaching 30 to 35 mph. Temperatures will plummet significantly, returning the region to crisp, chilly autumn weather.