Washington DC weather today is sunny and 85°F—one last beautiful day before a cold front crashes the party overnight into Sunday, bringing rain showers and a dramatic temperature drop.
Let’s break down what’s coming, because this is a tale of two very different weekends.
Saturday: Grab It While You’ve Got It
Today is your golden ticket. Sunny skies and 85 degrees across the National Mall, Nationals Park, and all your favorite neighborhoods from Capitol Hill to Georgetown. East winds will gust up to 22 mph this afternoon, so it’s breezy but not problematic. This is perfect weather for the Nationals-Giants game at Nationals Park this afternoon—bring sunglasses and sunscreen. If you’ve been itching to fire up the grill or tackle yard work, Saturday is your day. The pollen count will be elevated (typical for mid-April), so allergy sufferers might want to grab some allergy relief nasal spray before heading outside, and consider wearing a pollen count face mask if you’re sensitive.
But here’s the catch: don’t get too comfortable.
Saturday Night Into Sunday: The Cold Front Arrives
After midnight Saturday, rain showers move in, and they’ll stick around through most of Sunday. The National Weather Service forecasters are watching a progressive line of thunderstorms associated with the cold front—there’s even a marginal severe weather risk west of I-81, with gusty winds being the main concern. Rainfall amounts will be modest (around a tenth to a quarter inch), but the timing matters: expect the heaviest rain Sunday morning into early afternoon.
Sunday’s high will struggle to reach 58°F—that’s 27 degrees cooler than Saturday. The Nationals-Giants game Sunday at Nationals Park will be a damp affair; bring a rain jacket and maybe skip the bleachers. By Sunday afternoon, northwest winds will gust to 28 mph as the system clears out, so it’ll feel noticeably breezy and chilly.
What to Wear and Plan For
Saturday: Light layers, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Grilling? Go for it.
Sunday: Rain jacket, umbrella, and warmer clothes than you’d expect for mid-April. If you’re heading to the Nationals-Braves games Monday and Tuesday, those days will be notably cooler too, so plan accordingly.
The National Weather Service is also flagging a frost and freeze threat Monday night, so gardeners should hold off on planting tender annuals until later in the week.
Indoor Air Quality Note
With elevated pollen counts and rain moving in, this is a good weekend to keep windows closed and consider running a HEPA air purifier indoors, especially if you or family members have spring allergies.
For dinner tonight, a hearty grilled pasta or stir-fry pairs perfectly with this warm, breezy Saturday—get everything delivered straight to your door with Amazon Fresh grocery delivery.
Looking Ahead
Monday will be notably cooler and dry. Tuesday and beyond: frost concerns Monday night, then gradual warming by midweek. Keep an eye on the extended forecast—spring in DC is always a roller coaster!
Stay dry Sunday, and enjoy Saturday while it lasts.
