The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

D.C. area awakens to fiery sunrise ahead of next rainstorm

Rainy weather is expected for Saturday

By
March 8, 2024 at 11:31 a.m. EST
Sunrise on Friday morning at the Tidal Basin. (Jeannie in D.C./Flickr)
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Early risers were treated to a fiery scene in eastern skies across the Washington region Friday morning.

The saying “red sky in morning, sailor’s warning” rings partially true now, as the brilliant sunrise sky does portend unsettled conditions in the not-too-distant future.

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An approaching storm, affecting the southern United States with severe thunderstorms and flooding, will bring rain to the D.C. area Saturday. The incoming storm flung enough cloud cover northward at just the right height to deliver Friday’s stunning scenes.

The clouds mainly painted the eastern sky, where their undersides were lit up as the sun neared the horizon.

The cloud deck was about 20,000 to 25,000 feet high, according to airport observations, an ideal altitude for strong colors.

The best color came about 10 minutes before sunrise when the emerging light had to travel through more of the atmosphere. The sun’s light rays were scattered by particles resulting in a display of fiery hues.

Since the clouds were thickest east of the city, more or less parallel to the Potomac River, the sky displayed a dramatic transition from blue-gray colors in the west and orange and red shades in the east.

High clouds have continued to filter into the region since the spectacular sunrise. As the Saturday storm approaches, clouds will lower and thicken into Friday night before showers become possible pre-dawn Saturday.

As moisture increases Saturday, rain should become steadier — especially by the afternoon. About three-quarters of an inch is predicted, with higher amounts possible well north and northwest of Washington, and somewhat lower totals to the southeast.