Washington, DC is waking up to scattered rain showers this morning, with a high near 58°F and gusty northwest winds gusting up to 31 mph expected throughout the day—so leave the umbrella by the door and grab a packable rain jacket instead.
Here’s what’s happening: A cold front is pushing through the region right now, bringing the first widespread rain we’ve seen in over a week. According to our friends at the National Weather Service, you can expect rain showers mainly before 1 PM ET, with about a 90% chance of precipitation. Rainfall amounts should be modest—between a tenth and quarter inch—but every bit helps given our ongoing drought conditions. The good news? By this afternoon, the rain clears out as that cold front moves east, and winds shift to the northwest at 10 to 16 mph with those gusty conditions I mentioned.
If you’re heading to the Nationals game at Nationals Park today against the Giants, bring rain gear for the first few innings, but conditions should improve by mid-afternoon. The same goes for anyone planning to explore the National Mall or visit the Tidal Basin—the showers should wrap up by lunchtime ET.
The bigger story unfolds tonight and into Monday: We’re in for a significant cool-down. Temperatures will dip to around 45°F Sunday night ET, and here’s where it gets important—the National Weather Service has issued a Freeze Watch for Monday night, with widespread lows expected to drop below 32°F. If you’ve already planted tender spring flowers or vegetables, you’ll want to cover them or move potted plants indoors. Frost could damage new growth, so this isn’t just a heads-up—it’s actionable.
Monday itself shapes up nicely for outdoor activities: mostly sunny skies, highs near 53°F ET, and lighter winds. It’s a great day to catch the Nationals-Braves game at Nationals Park (games continue Monday through Wednesday). However, fire weather is possible Monday afternoon west of the Blue Ridge, so if you’re hiking in areas like Shenandoah, be extra cautious with any campfires or grills.
For tailgating or any outdoor entertaining, Sunday afternoon after 1 PM ET is your window before the cold really sets in. A compact travel umbrella fits easily in a bag and handles those gusty conditions better than a traditional umbrella.
Tonight’s the perfect evening for comfort food. A slow-simmering chili or beef stew hits different on a chilly, damp day—set it in a programmable slow cooker this morning before the rain starts, and you’ll have a warm meal ready by dinner time. Did you know you can order groceries on Amazon? Get everything you need for tonight’s dinner delivered straight to your door.
Looking ahead: Tuesday brings more sunshine but stays cool. By midweek, we’ll gradually warm back up into the low 60s. That freeze watch Monday night is the big story to monitor—protect your plants and livestock accordingly.
Stay dry out there, neighbors!
