I think it's safe to assume that almost everybody is sick of the gray skies and drizzle.  Yes, we still need rain, but drizzle won't help much, so if it's not going to rain, I'd rather just have sunshine.  This low cloud cover is not only boring, but it's also depressing.  I'm sick of the dreary weather pattern, and it looks as though it will continue for at least a few more days.  I understand it's not uncommon for us to experience this weather pattern in Spring, but that doesn't mean I like it.

Of the past nine days, only one has been rain-free, and according to records, that was the only partly cloudy day.  At least a trace of precipitation has been measured at DCA on all but one of the past nine days with a total of 1.27 inches.  I'm all for a rainy day here and there.  Actually, I often enjoy them, however, this is getting to be too much.  Though it's always important to know it could be worse.  For instance, remember May 2003?  Well, in May of '03 DCA had only four days with sunshine (partly cloudy or clear), and a total of 7.06 inches of rain with only seven rain-free days.

If you are craving sunshine as well, don't hold your breath.  Our persistent onshore flow will keep our sky mostly cloudy again today, and despite a wind shift this afternoon, an active weather pattern will take shape over the next several days causing more cloud cover.  I wouldn't be surprised if we squeezed in partial sunshine tomorrow and Friday, but the overall pattern will be conducive for more clouds than sun.  Additionally, the best chance of widespread rain will be Friday night and Saturday (yup, possibly during the Cherry Blossom Parade...again). 

As of now, it looks as though a late-winter-like weather pattern will take shape by Sunday and last into the middle part of next week.  Mountain snow showers are possible, and I wouldn't be surprised if a few flurries made there way into parts of the metro area during the early morning hours Monday and Tuesday.  With a broad upper level trough dug in overhead temperatures will likely be below average early next week with potentially gusty winds.  Sorry, spring hasn't fully sprung yet.