It's not the kind of slow soaking we need, but forecasters out at Sterling have nudged our chances for some needed rain this Sunday a little higher.

They're calling for the chances for showers to rise to 40 percent in the early morning hours on Sunday, edging closer to 60 percent later in the morning as a cold front approaches from the Ohio Valley. Some spots could see as much as a quarter- to a half-inch from "scattered to numerous" showers before it's all over.

It's not a lot, especially for the western counties, where rainy days have been as common as gold dubloons this summer. But at least it's rain.

And, we've finally shaken off the 90-degree weather that lopped over from August into the first few days of September. The forecast calls for highs at BWI-Marshall to hold in the 70s through the weekend, rising only to the low 80s early next week.

After another (dry) cold front slips by on Tuesday or Wednesday, we'll be back in the 70s, and dry again. And that's pretty much where temperatures ought to be in mid-September.

For now, we're watching more cool, dry air rush in from Canada as high-pressure builds. The dry air, dry brush and brisk winds are once again raising wildfire worries today. The National Weather Service has posted notice of an "enhanced fire weather threat" today for the entire state west of the Chesapeake Bay.

Down in the tropics, hurricane forecasters continue to keep an eye on Tropical Depression Igor. The storm weakened below tropical storm strength yesterday, but appears likely to re-strengthen today, and is still expected to become a hurricane in the next few days.

UPDATE: 11:00 a.m.: Igor has regained tropical storm strength.

Forecasters are also watching an area of stormy weather in the Windward Islands and the eastern Caribbean. That disturbance is given a 40 percent chance of becoming a tropical storm in the next 48 hours.

Here is the latest forecast advisory for Igor. Here is the forecast storm track. And here is the view from space.  

(SUN PHOTO: Karl Merton Ferron, 1999)