‘Hardly a cloud in the sky’ in the DC area on the Fourth of July

Watch it live on WTOP.com: “A Capitol Fourth”- the star-spangled concert on the National Mall followed by an Independence Day fireworks show. The dazzling lineup starts 8 p.m. on Friday, July 4.

The Fourth of July in the D.C. area will be full of sunshine, good weather and celebrations as temperatures are forecast between the 60s and 80s.

On Friday, it’ll be mostly sunny with highs in the upper 80s. It’ll be dry and less humid than the past week had been in the region.

“Grab the sunglasses, you’ll definitely need them. Hardly a cloud in the sky,” 7News First Alert meteorologist Steve Rudin said.

Clear skies will last through the night, so fireworks revelers will have a great sight. Temperatures will drop into the 60s by nightfall with light winds up to 10 mph.

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments has also put a Code Orange air quality alert in the forecast for Friday, where sensitive populations might have a harder time doing activities outdoors.

AirNow recommends groups, including older people and children, reduce their exposure to the outdoors and limit strenuous activities that could make it hard to breathe. “Fine particulates” will especially be in the air when fireworks go off.

Saturday will be calm again with temperatures in the near-90s and gentle breezes. Humidity will increase but won’t be as muggy for this time of the season.

By Sunday, the weather will be mostly to partly sunny as temperatures climb into the low 90s. There’s a possibility for scattered showers and thunderstorms later in the evening.

Looking ahead

A cold front from the north pushes its way into the D.C. region on Monday, when uncomfortable humidity and the possibility for storms return to the forecast.

It’ll be mostly cloudy with temperatures in the 90s, according to the National Weather Service.

Mainly dry conditions, seasonable temperatures, and lower humidity levels are expected over the next couple days. A stray shower or storm may be possible late this afternoon or evening across northern Maryland or northern portions of the West Virginia Panhandle. (Credit NWS)

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Forecast

FRIDAY: INDEPENDENCE DAY
Mostly Sunny
Highs: 85-89
Winds: Northwest 5-10 mph
Fantastic weather is expected for the 4th of July with sunshine and comfortable high temperatures in the mid 80s. Humidity levels will also be very low considering the time of year.

FIREWORKS FORECAST: Clear skies; Air quality alert
Temps: Upper 70s
Winds: Northwest 2-5 mph
The fireworks are set to go off at 9:09 p.m. on the National Mall. Weather should not impact the display, but if you have asthma, heart, lung, or respiratory issues, you’ll want to monitor how you feel. The fireworks can release particulate matter into the air that can make it harder to breathe for some. A Code Orange Air Quality Alert is in effect for D.C. and Northern Virginia for during and after the fireworks shows.

OVERNIGHT: Mainly clear
Lows: 64-69
Winds: Light
A very comfortable night for early July is in store with overnight lows dipping into the mid to upper 60s.

SATURDAY: Mostly sunny
Highs: near 90
Winds: South 5-10 mph
Nice weather continues with plenty of sun, a slight uptick in the stickiness factor and highs near 90.

SUNDAY: Mostly to partly sunny
Highs: 88-93
Winds: South 5-10 mph
The long holiday weekend draws to a close with mostly to partly sunny skies and highs ranging from the upper 80s to lower 90s.

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