Okay, so we were too gloomy yesterday. The NWS forecast called for "mostly cloudy" skies Wednesday and a high of 61, and we went with it. The day turned out to be a beautiful spring offering, with clear skies into the early evening, and a high of 65 in downtown Baltimore. Perfect.
So today they're calling for "mostly cloudy" skies again, and a high of 65. And it looks beautiful out there around the State Penitentiary, which is all I can see from the newsroom window. So let's just call it a happy break from the cold and wet weather we've seen most days since the equinox, because the weekend - while there's a warmup coming - also looks pretty wet.
Forecasters out at Sterling have posted a seven-day forecast listing rain chances, unequivocal rain, likely rain and risks of showers for pretty nearly every day and night through Monday. Highs will sag back into the 50s Friday before climbing back to forecast maxima of 71 on Sunday and "near 80" on Monday.
The problem is a weak cold front that's forecast to stall near the Mason-Dixon Line. It's colder north of the front, and warmer south of the front. Washington should see highs in the 70s today. Light rain is possible late tonight, with more likely Friday as disturbances move along the stalled front, and again Saturday.
Things warm up considerably Sunday and Monday as the line moves north again as a warm front. The next cold front will be close behind on Monday, with thunderstorms possible as it passes by, trailing behind a low crossing the Great Lakes. Despite the name, temperatures are forecast to remain mild after the cold front goes past, with highs Tuesday and Wednesday predicted to reach the low 70s, under mostly sunny skies.
Speaking of mild spring weather, have you noticed the pollen counts for trees? They've reached "high" levels in the region this week. But then, if you have allergies, you didn't need anyone to tell you that. Come to think of it, my throat's been kind of scratchy... You?