DC: Definitely Changeable

Now

Mostly sunny, mild. While yesterday's coastal storm has pulled away off New England, mostly sunny skies across the Washington metro region have helped temperatures climb above the forecast range, to the mid and upper 50s in most places. On the southern fringe of the area, Culpeper and Fredericksburg broke the 60° mark.

The double-digit above average daily highs were: National 58°, Dulles 54°, BWI 54°. Going into the last few days of the year, the month overall is now running about 1.5° above the long-term average. This keeps 2007 on track for a 4-way tie as the 12th warmest year in Washington records.

As Josh has already noted, a pattern of fast upper-level westerlies will keep things unsettled heading on into the end of the year.

NWS Precipitation Analysis above for the 24 hours ending 7am this morning shows half inch or greater amounts (green) to the southeast of DC and progressively lighter amounts to the north and west. The lightest blue area covering most of Frederick and Loudoun Counties represents less than 0.1", and inside the Beltway was generally in the range 0.1-0.25".

Tonight and Tomorrow

Partly cloudy, cool, then chance of rain. Lows tonight under variably cloudy skies will range from the mid and upper 30s inside the Beltway to 28-32° in the outer 'burbosphere. Clouds will increase tomorrow afternoon with a 30% chance of rain by evening and highs 45-50°.

Scroll down for Josh's outlook through the weekend and into New Year's Day.