On the heels of a turbulent March, which saw dramatic swings in temperature throughout the Washington DC area, weather experts expect a warm and dry April.
The Washington Post'sCapital Weather Gang said average temperatures will be 3 to 6 degrees hotter than a typical April, beginning with a warm start to the month. The National Weather Service says April usually has an average temperature of 55.6 degrees.
Daily high temperatures will reach 87 degrees, according toAccuWeather, which says the average high for April will be 71.
That means April 1 could wind up being one of the hottest days of the month, as the National Weather Service said Wednesday's temperature in the DC area peaked at 87 degrees.
Don't expect many April showers, with rainfall expected to be an inch or two below normal, the Post says.
DC averages 3.21 inches of rain in April, according to theNWS, but it's far from the wettest month. May, June and July all average at least 3.94 inches of precipitation.
Around the National Mall in Washington, DC this week, cherry blossoms are the main attraction as they near the point of full flower known as "peak bloom."Visitors view the cherry blossoms as they approach peak bloom along the Tidal Basin in Washington D.C., March 26, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Cherry blossoms paint Washington DC in shades of spring
Around the National Mall in Washington, DC this week,cherry blossomsare the main attraction as they near the point of full flower known as "peak bloom."Visitors view the cherry blossoms as they approach peak bloom along the Tidal Basin in Washington D.C., March 26, 2026.
Are cherry blossoms still blooming in DC?
Peak bloom for the cherry blossoms in DC began March 26, and by March 31 they were already "past their prime."
"The main cherry blossoms are on their way out now,"CherryBlossomWatch.comsays. "There are still plenty of beautiful flowers out now, but with warm and possibly unsettled weather on the way this week, there'll be much less to see by the weekend."
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Can't make it to the Tidal Basin, the area's most popular destination for viewing cherry blossoms? The Trust for the National Mall offers alive, real-time viewof the trees along the iconic site.
What will the weather be in DC this weekend?
In the short term, temperatures will climb Friday to the upper 70s "with a warm, springlike feel," according toWTOP, which says temperatures will increase even more Saturday "for a hot start to the weekend."
There is a chance for showers and thunderstorms Friday and Saturday,NWSsays, and Sunday is the day WTOP says to monitor.
"A strong cold front sweeps through, bringing widespread rain along with a few storms, and a noticeable shift in temperatures," according to WTOP meteorologist Eileen Whelan.
A look back at March's weather in DC
The Post said this March was the eighth warmest on record, with the average temperature of 52.7 degrees being more than 5 degrees above normal.
The month featured volatile temperatures, including an 86-degree day March 11 followed by lows of 33 degrees the next day, according to the NWS.
NWS data shows the DC area received 1.90 inches of precipitation in March, far from the average of 3.50 inches.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:DC weather: What to expect in April after a volatile March