This Week's Weather: Showers Through Tuesday

It looks like D.C. will see showers and possibly thunderstorms early in the week, with sunny skies beginning Wednesday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. 

There is a 40 percent chance of rain on Monday, increasing to 70 percent Monday night, according to the NWS. Forecasters call for an even soggier Tuesday, with a 70 percent chance of showers during the day, increasing to 80 percent Tuesday night. The Weather Channel predicts a potential for severe thunderstorms on Tuesday afternoon and evening in the D.C. metro area. 

Skies should begin to clear on Wednesday, with partly cloudy skies predicted for the morning, changing to sunny skies by afternoon. Washington, D.C. should enjoy sunny skies and lower temperatures in the low 70s for Wednesday and Thursday, with temperatures increasing to the high 70s Friday.

Saturday could see more rain. The Weather Channel forecasts a 10 percent chance of rain for Saturday. The WJLA forecast says the area has a 40 percent chance of seeing rain on Saturday.

Temperatures will continue to be on the pleasant side this week, with highs in the high 70s early in the week, decreasing to the low 70s by Wednesday, and then rising again starting Friday with highs in the high 70s.

The first day of fall officially arrives this week. Known as the autumnal equinox —equinox comes from the latin words for "equal nights" — it begins Saturday at 10:49 a.m. With the sun rising Saturday at 6:56 a.m. and setting at 7:05 p.m., the day will be 12 hours and nine minutes long, according to The Old Farmer's Almanac.