Storm Team4

Storm Team4 Forecast: Cherry blossoms bloom into a cool and breezy week

Here's the forecast, latest weather, storm timing and radar for D.C., Maryland and Virginia

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4 things to know about the weather:

  1. Peak Bloom is Here
  2. Colder Pattern Begins
  3. Plenty Of Windy Days
  4. Dry All Week

The cherry trees at the Tidal Basin have reached their peak blooming period thanks to the incredible warmth over the first half of the month. Tied for second earliest peak with 2000 and just a few days behind the record of March 15, 1990.

Now that the blossoms are out, they are extremely sensitive to wind, rain and cold. Rain won't be a problem. Our next significant rain chance won't arrive until late Friday or, more likely, Saturday. Temperatures will be a lot lower this week than they have been over the last two to three weeks with multiple freezes likely for the suburbs and rural areas.

Weather radar:

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The Tidal Basin will likely escape the frost and freeze threat but even that comes with a cost - the wind. Northwest winds will be quite gusty and blustery over the next three to four days. Thankfully, gusts over 30 mph are unlikely but winds in the 10-20 mph range are still not all that great for a long blooming period. Today and tomorrow will be the best two days for viewing.

High pressure over the Great Plains will keep us cool and dry for the week ahead. Afternoon highs will stay near 50° for today and tomorrow, get close to 60° on Wednesday, and then return to the 50s for Thursday, Friday and the weekend. Overnight lows will be in the 30s for the week ahead.

National Airport, urban areas and the Tidal Basin will (most likely) escape getting a frost or freeze. The rest of the area will likely get to, or below, freezing several times. Tonight, Wednesday night and Thursday night will bring the highest freezes threat. Keep any early plantings covered.

10-day forecast

Quickcast:

TODAY:
Mostly Cloudy Morning
Partly Sunny Afternoon
Breezy And Chilly
Wind: Northwest 15-25 mph
Chance Of Rain: 0%
HIGHS: 50° - 56°

TONIGHT:
Clearing Skies
Breezy And Cold
Rural Areas Below Freezing
Chance Of Rain: 0%
Wind: Northwest 10-25 mph
LOWS: 28° - 36°

TUESDAY:
Morning Sunshine
Mostly Cloudy Afternoon
Breezy And Cool
Wind: Northwest 12-24 mph
Chance Of Rain: 0%
HIGHS: 48° - 54°

WEDNESDAY:
Sun And Clouds
Breezy
Seasonable
Wind: West 12-24 mph
Chance Of Rain: 0%
HIGHS: 56° - 62°

THURSDAY:
Sunny Skies
Colder
Breezy
Chance Of Rain: 0%
Wind: Northwest 15-25 mph
HIGHS: 46° - 52°

Sunrise: 7:14 a.m. Sunset: 7:19 p.m.
Average High: 57° Average Low: 39°

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