9:00 p.m. update: The evening has ended up pretty quiet around here. Warm too, with D.C. still hanging out in the low 70s. As you might expect given the lack of much in the way of storminess lately, the severe thunderstorm risk has been downgraded significantly.  Rain, however, is on the way in for the late night period. You can see it gathering off to the southwest on a wide shot:  Radar trajectory and short-term modeling suggests this batch of more widespread rain, possibly including some rumbles of thunder, does continue to approach us the next few hours. Here’s a look at the midnight idea from the HRRR:  If you’re out or headed out, keep an umbrella handy. We’re still looking for the front to clear before or by sunrise, with dry and windy conditions expected on Saturday (see full details below).  From 4:08 p.m.: Temperatures only reached upper 60s today at National — that cloud deck and rain has been persistent! Thunderstorms are still in the forecast for this evening, though the strongest storms will be limited to our far southern suburbs where the temperature got a little bit warmer. If you can tolerate the gloom tonight, the weekend is looking pretty nice — though quite windy on Saturday. We’re covering a lot in this forecast so let’s get down to it!  Through Tonight: A break in the rain looks like it could last through the rush hour, but scattered showers and thunderstorms continue to move through the region into the hours around Midnight. Some of the storms could be severe, and the Storm Prediction Center has places the D.C. area in a “slight” risk of severe weather. However, given the persistent cloud cover and thereby cooler temperatures we’ve seen today, the far southern, warmer portion of our region has a higher chance of seeing thunderstorms that meet severe criteria than the immediate D.C. area and north. The main threats in the strongest storms will be strong winds and some small hail. Outside of thunderstorm gusts, background winds climb to around 20 mph by dawn, with gusts of 30 to 35 mph. Overnight lows are around 50 degrees and the mid to upper 40s in the cooler areas.  [Details, updates on Friday evening severe storms]  Tomorrow (Saturday) and Saturday night: A 20 percent of scattered showers in the early morning hours that quickly fades to zero by the early afternoon. Skies clear out markedly by 12 p.m., and the day should continue mostly clear through sunset. Highs are in the mid to upper 50s to around 60 degrees in the District. Winds stay gusty — 20 to 30 mph — through the afternoon before diminishing in the early evening. Overnight lows fall back to around 40 degrees in the city to even the freezing mark in the cooler suburbs. Brr!  Nationals vs. Yankees, Saturday at 1:05 p.m.: Just an “okay” day for preseason baseball. It’s not going to be quite as warm as Monday’s home opener — the main bummer will be the gusty winds. I suggest something along the lines of a fleece and a wind breaker, especially if you have the shady seats. First pitch: Mid-50s, northwest winds at 20-25 mph gusting to 35 mph. 9th inning: Upper 50s and only slightly less windy. Chance of precip: 10 percent chance of sprinkles at first pitch, decreasing to zero soon after that.  Sunday (Easter): The early morning hours start off c-c-cold, especially in the cooler suburbs, so bear that in mind if you’re headed out to services. Temperatures rebound quickly, though, with mostly sunny skies to help them along. Highs should climb into the low to mid-60s, with winds from the southwest around 10 mph.  See Camden Walker’s forecast through the weekend. And if you haven’t already, join us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter . For related traffic news, check out Dr. Gridlock.  Pollen: Most of our pollen has probably been washed away by rain showers today, but Thursday’s levels were high for trees, and low for grasses, weeds, and mold.  Angela Fritz is an atmospheric scientist and The Post's deputy weather editor.  Ian Livingston is a forecaster/photographer and information lead for the Capital Weather Gang. By day, Ian is a defense and national security researcher at a D.C. think tank.
The strong storm threat has waned a good deal, but we've got some late night rain on tap. Sunshine and winds usher in a dry Saturday.