Monday, December 31, 1979
YesterdayÛªs sunshine brought sailors to the Potomac River for an outdoor fling, but the last Sunday of the decade did not break the high set in 1971.</br></br>On the final Sunday of the decade the air was filled with softballs and frisbees and joggers tossed aside their sweatsuits as hundreds of Washingtonians streamed out into the sunshine and temperatures reached a surprisingly warm 61 degrees.</br></br>ÛÏPeople better enjoy it now,Û said a National Weather Service spokesman at Dulles International Airport. He predicted the temperature on New YearÛªs Day will drop to a high in the low 40s as a large cold front descends from Canada.</br></br>Those planning to celebrate the arrival of the 1980s can expect New YearÛªs Eve temperatures to be in the high 30s, after a daytime high of 52. the weather service said. There will be increasing cloudiness tonight, and a slight chance of rain.</br></br>YesterdayÛªs unseasonably warm weather fell short of a record, 1971 high by seven degrees, said Bill Miller of the weather serviceÛªs National Air;