Evening showers arrive in D.C. as breezy warmth yields to a cool front

Warmer southwest winds will keep Washington, D.C., milder into Wednesday afternoon, but rain chances increase later in the day with showers most likely between sunset and midnight. A strong cold front is expected to sweep through the region shortly after midnight, bringing a rapid end to precipitation and ushering in breezier, cooler conditions on Thursday.

NBC Washington's Storm Team4 projects rain chances to climb after midafternoon, with scattered showers developing by around 2 to 3 p.m. The likelihood of steady rain is highest in the evening hours; forecasters say most, if not all, of the rainfall should move out before daybreak Thursday, with precipitation tapering off by around 5 a.m.

Timing and totals

Forecasters expect the bulk of showers to arrive between sunset and midnight. A strong cold front will pass just after midnight, which should shut down most rainfall quickly. Rain totals are expected to be modest and localized rather than widespread heavy accumulations.

What follows the front

Behind the front, conditions will turn breezy and noticeably cooler on Thursday. Forecasts indicate a chilly, blustery day compared with Wednesday’s milder air. By Friday, skies are expected to clear and the region should see more pleasant conditions. Outlooks later in the weekend show a chance of much warmer temperatures returning, with some forecasts indicating the potential for heat in the 90s beginning Sunday and into next week.

Commuters should plan for wet roads during the evening commute and a quick temperature drop overnight. City services and outdoor events scheduled for late Wednesday evening may be affected by the timing of the showers and the frontal passage.

Keep an eye on updated forecasts through the evening; short-term changes in the front’s timing could shift the window for heaviest rain and the arrival of cooler air.