Forecast Details for Potomac, MD

Recent Locations: Joshua Tree, CA Millsboro, PA Potomac, MD

Current Alerts for Potomac, MD: Unnamed Alert

Today: Isolated showers and thunderstorms between 2pm and 5pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. West wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms before 2am, then scattered showers. Patchy fog after midnight. Low around 61. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming light and variable in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday: A chance of showers between 2pm and 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Patchy fog before 11am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. East wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. East wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. South wind 7 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

Friday Night: A slight chance of showers before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday: A chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers before 8pm, then a chance of showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday: Showers, mainly after 8am. High near 71. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Sunday Night: Showers, mainly before 8pm. Low around 41. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 58.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 40.

Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 60.

Want more detail? Get the Complete 7 Day and Night Detailed Forecast!

Current U.S. National Radar--Current

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National Weather Forecast--Current

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National Weather Forecast for Tomorrow

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North America Water Vapor (Moisture)

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Weather Topic: What are Contrails?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Contrails

Next Topic: Cumulonimbus Clouds

A contrail is an artificial cloud, created by the passing of an aircraft.

Contrails form because water vapor in the exhaust of aircraft engines is suspended in the air under certain temperatures and humidity conditions. These contrails are called exhaust contrails.

Another type of contrail can form due to a temporary reduction in air pressure moving over the plane's surface, causing condensation. These are called aerodynamic contrails.

When you can see your breath on a cold day, it is also because of condensation. The reason contrails last longer than the condensation from your breath is because the water in contrails freezes into ice particles.

Next Topic: Cumulonimbus Clouds

Weather Topic: What are Cumulus Clouds?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Cumulus Clouds

Next Topic: Drizzle

Cumulus clouds are fluffy and textured with rounded tops, and may have flat bottoms. The border of a cumulus cloud is clearly defined, and can have the appearance of cotton or cauliflower.

Cumulus clouds form at low altitudes (rarely above 2 km) but can grow very tall, becoming cumulus congestus and possibly the even taller cumulonimbus clouds. When cumulus clouds become taller, they have a greater chance of producing precipitation.

Next Topic: Drizzle