As autumn splendor grew, drought deepened Friday in D.C.
Another rainless day arrives in the nation’s capital, but a beautiful one.

By Martin Weil
November 8, 2024 at 7:42 p.m. EST

On another day of dryness in the District, Friday seemed to ignore autumn’s continued lack of rain and provide instead the exuberance of blue skies, bright colors and uncommon warmth, until the all too rapid onset of a November night.

Through late afternoon, the nation’s capital seemed well on its way to recording a 37th consecutive day without measurable rainfall. It was also another November day that seemed almost eerily warm, balmy enough to call into question the conventional understanding of autumn.

Washington’s high afternoon temperature reached 75 degrees. That reading may be associated with comfort in any season, but in November, it may also seem uncannily — even eerily warm. It seemed in conflict with cherished weather memories or seasonal expectations of the dreary and drizzly.

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The sun set on Thursday at 5 p.m. But on Friday, it did not stay around even that long, setting instead at 4:59 p.m. ... That curtailment of daylight could be ascribed to the reversion to Standard Time on Sunday. But it is also a sign of approaching winter. A season, and a reality, that seemed to have little connection with the glow and glories of Friday.

By Martin Weil
Martin Weil is a longtime reporter at The Washington Post.follow on X @martyweilwapost