Capital Weather Gang: May, 2011
Posted at 10:45 AM ET, 05/02/2011
By Jason Samenow
This post contains some of the most extraordinary imagery from Wednesday’s deadly and historic tornado outbreak in the South. The latest reports indicate fatalies from the outbreak now exceed 342 people, surpassing the number of deaths from the 1974, and the most people killed by tornadoes in a two-period since April 5-6, 1936 (when 454 people died).
By Jason Samenow |
10:45 AM ET, 05/02/2011 |
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Posted at 06:20 PM ET, 04/30/2011
By Jason Samenow
By and large, our Saturday’s this spring have been less than stellar. But aside from a high tree pollen count (which I can mitigate with a Zyrtec), there’s nothing I can find fault with today. Sunday doesn’t like bad either, but increasing clouds and a slight afternoon shower chance mean it won’t stack up to today. Enjoy this overall nice weekend, because the early to middle portion of next week look foul.
By Jason Samenow |
06:20 PM ET, 04/30/2011 |
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Posted at 03:40 PM ET, 04/29/2011
By Jason Samenow
Lots of folks complained about the abrupt shift from winter to summer with no spring in between. But this weekend, we get spring weather at its finest. Today wasn’t too shabby either, with a fair dose of sunshine through early afternoon. And even though it’s clouded over late, we’ve still managed to reach around 70. We’ll shed these clouds soon, and you’ll love the outlook for Saturday...
By Jason Samenow |
03:40 PM ET, 04/29/2011 |
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Posted at 02:45 PM ET, 04/29/2011
By Jason Samenow
Greg Carbin is the warning coordination meteorologist at the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration’s Storm Prediction Center (SPC) in Norman, Okla., which has 43 employees, including more than 20 meteorologists. This federal center issues forecasts and watches for severe thu nderstorms and tornadoes across the entire United States. I talked with Carbin about his experience during Wednesday’s devastating tornado outbreak in the South.
By Jason Samenow |
02:45 PM ET, 04/29/2011 |
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Posted at 11:18 AM ET, 04/29/2011
By Ian Livingston
Nearly 40 tornado warnings were issued across the broader NWS Baltimore/Washington area on April 27-28. Some even produced tornadoes.
By Ian Livingston |
11:18 AM ET, 04/29/2011 |
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Posted at 05:00 AM ET, 04/29/2011
By Camden Walker
After the flurry of weather activity headed into yesterday, we’re stepping back quieter. A shower may threaten today, but otherwise things are looking great headed into a sunny and mild weekend.
By Camden Walker |
05:00 AM ET, 04/29/2011 |
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Posted at 04:55 AM ET, 04/29/2011
By Camden Walker
It should be a pretty delightful evening for some baseball, but also a good bit cooler than recent nights.
By Camden Walker |
04:55 AM ET, 04/29/2011 |
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Posted at 04:00 PM ET, 04/28/2011
By Jason Samenow
After a tumultuous nearly full day of monitoring the atmosphere for tornadoes, much neededtranquility has moved into the metro region. Skies have partially cleared with emergent afternoon sunshine. Well southeast of town toward St. Mary’s and Calvert county, a thunderstorm remains possible through sunset, but elsewhere, the clearing trend should continue.
By Jason Samenow |
04:00 PM ET, 04/28/2011 |
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Posted at 12:50 PM ET, 04/28/2011
By Andrew Freedman and Brian Jackson
The devastating tornadoes that chewed up swaths of the South and Southeast yesterday were rare, mile-wide plus beasts, causing hideous damage, including denuded trees, flattened buildings, and pancaked cars. Thanks to the 139 tornadoes reported Wednesday (this number will change as the National Weather Service conducts their damage assessments), April 2011 has now almost certainly seen more tornadoes than any other April on record since 1954, beating out 1954, when an estimated 407 tornadoes descended from the heavens.
By Andrew Freedman and Brian Jackson |
12:50 PM ET, 04/28/2011 |
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Posted at 12:30 PM ET, 04/28/2011
By Jason Samenow
Since just after 2 p.m. yesterday, the metro region has been under a tornado watch. By the time it expires at 3 p.m. (unless it’s canceled early), the watch will have run for more than a full day, longer than I have ever witnessed in this region. A Flash Flood Watch also covers the region through 3 p.m. Thunderstorms, some rotating, will continue moving from southwest to northeast through the metro region. Much of the activity has tracked through the far western suburbs this morning - from Fauquier county into Loudoun, eastern Frederick and western Montgomery county up into Carroll county. As the morning wears on, storms developing to the southwest should target the immediate metro region and then the eastern suburbs by midday into the early afternoon. Torrential rain, damaging winds and tornadoes are possible in storms moving through.
By Jason Samenow |
12:30 PM ET, 04/28/2011 |
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Posted at 07:45 AM ET, 04/28/2011
By David Streit and Jason Samenow
A powerful cold front starts the day with the possibility of severe morning storms. On the plus side, the front gives us back spring for the weekend! Yes, we finally lose the humidity, and get some nice days to enjoy all the May flowers that our earlier April showers have helped along. Yes indeed, May Day arrives on Sunday and it will be a fine one to dance around your May pole. Next storm potential is not expected until Monday night.
By David Streit and Jason Samenow |
07:45 AM ET, 04/28/2011 |
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Posted at 05:30 PM ET, 04/27/2011
By Ian Livingston and Jason Samenow
A tornado watch continues for the metro region through 8 p.m. Showers and thunderstorms developing this evening may be severe, but widely scattered. After a brief overnight break, we’ll see more numerous showers and storms for the first half of the day tomorrow.
By Ian Livingston and Jason Samenow |
05:30 PM ET, 04/27/2011 |
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Posted at 02:09 PM ET, 04/27/2011
By Jason Samenow
The Storm Prediction Center has extended the tornado watch issued to cover the entire DC metro region. Tornadoes, hail to 2 inches in diameter, thunderstorm wind gusts to 70 mph, and dangerous lightning are possible.
By Jason Samenow |
02:09 PM ET, 04/27/2011 |
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Posted at 01:45 PM ET, 04/27/2011
By Jason Samenow
The extreme 2011 severe weather season refuses to relent, and another round of dangerous thunderstorms is initiating in the South. More than 600 severe weather reports were filed yesterday, including 57 for tornadoes. Already today 77 reports have been logged and the worst is yet to come.
By Jason Samenow |
01:45 PM ET, 04/27/2011 |
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Posted at 11:13 AM ET, 04/27/2011
By Kevin Ambrose
The tornado season in 2011, off to a fast and furious start, is likely to become one for the record books. Thus far, the Washington, D.C. metro region has largely been spared, with only very weak tornadoes in the region. While the Washington area does not get the quantity or usually the severity of tornadoes that impact the states to our west, we have experienced a number of dangerous twisters over the past century. This post contains a list of what I consider to be the Washington, D.C. area’s top five most damaging and deadly tornadoes...
By Kevin Ambrose |
11:13 AM ET, 04/27/2011 |
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Posted at 05:00 AM ET, 04/27/2011
By Ian Livingston
We’re still in the same general weather pattern of the past few days, which equals temperatures near or above 80 this afternoon. Isolated to scattered showers today are probably more widespread tomorrow.
By Ian Livingston |
05:00 AM ET, 04/27/2011 |
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Posted at 04:55 AM ET, 04/27/2011
By Ian Livingston
Temperatures slowly falling through the 70s and a fresh breeze make for a nice evening out at the park. There may be a shower or storm though.
By Ian Livingston |
04:55 AM ET, 04/27/2011 |
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Posted at 07:00 PM ET, 04/26/2011
By Jason Samenow
The Weather Channel has reported 2011 has set a new record for the most April tornadoes. There’s just one problem: that’s not really the case ...yet.
By Jason Samenow |
07:00 PM ET, 04/26/2011 |
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Posted at 04:00 PM ET, 04/26/2011
By Jason Samenow
We’re into our third day of a four day streak of summery days. Highs have climbed back into the low-to-mid 80s with a little mugginess but nothing to oppressive. Out to the west into the mountains, thunderstorms have started firing off, and a Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been posted through 9 p.m. Will any big storms make into metro region?
By Jason Samenow |
04:00 PM ET, 04/26/2011 |
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Posted at 01:09 PM ET, 04/26/2011
By Jason Samenow
Yesterday, more than 400 severe weather reports were logged by the National Weather Service, including 38 tornado reports. The worst tornado, estimated to be one half mile wide, occurred in Vilonia, Arkansas where there was major structural damage and at least four lives were lost. In many of the same areas where severe weather occurred yesterday, there is a moderate to high risk of severe thunderstorms today. In addition to severe thunderstorms, significant flooding has occurred and is ongoing.
By Jason Samenow |
01:09 PM ET, 04/26/2011 |
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Posted at 10:15 AM ET, 04/26/2011
By Jason Samenow
It was too good to be true. Anyone who knows anything about London weather knew the recent stretch of sunny, warm weather wouldn’t last forever. As Prince William and Kate Middleton’s big Royal Wedding day approaches, some of the warmest late April weather in more than 100 years is fading away. In its place, more typical London weather settles in.
By Jason Samenow |
10:15 AM ET, 04/26/2011 |
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Posted at 05:00 AM ET, 04/26/2011
By Matt Rogers
Yes, the humidity is ticking up and yes, thunderstorms will gradually be making their presence more known again. But can you argue that sun and 80s are really bad things for late April? When the showers/storms become more frequent late tomorrow into especially Thursday, I’ll tend to agree that we are in a deteriorating weather situation. By late tomorrow, we’ll also be back in the slight risk area for severe weather. The big cold front passes Thursday with more storms, but better weather (less humid, comfortable 70s, returning sunshine) arrives just in time for the weekend.
By Matt Rogers |
05:00 AM ET, 04/26/2011 |
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Posted at 06:30 PM ET, 04/25/2011
By Jason Samenow
Our first taste of summer-like heat and humidity is here. For those residing in dwellings with no air conditioning yet available, that’s a bummer. Others surely enjoy firing up the grill or downing a cold one on a roof top deck in the soft, warm evening air. Let us know what you think about this pre-season mugginess...
By Jason Samenow |
06:30 PM ET, 04/25/2011 |
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Posted at 03:15 PM ET, 04/25/2011
By Ian Livingston
Welcome to summer? For now, at least. Temperatures have soared into the mid-and-upper 80s this afternoon many spots. Tomorrow we step down slightly, but only toward the low 80s. Some afternoon storms are possible as well.
By Ian Livingston |
03:15 PM ET, 04/25/2011 |
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Posted at 12:15 PM ET, 04/25/2011
By Andrew Freedman
Tornadoes have been descending from angry skies with a frequency that may become unmatched in official records of April twisters. Cities, small towns, rural hamlets - even international airports - have suffered severe damage. The atmosphere has been behaving like an unruly teenager, with 275 tornadoes recorded so far this month. What, if anything, might La Nina and global warming have to do with this?
By Andrew Freedman |
12:15 PM ET, 04/25/2011 |
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Posted at 10:00 AM ET, 04/25/2011
By Jason Samenow
By now most have heard about the tornado that carved a devastating 22 mile path just north of St. Louis Friday, ripping through Lambert International Airport, shattering hundreds of glass panes, peeling off a large section of roof from a concourse and blowing a shuttle bus on top of a concrete wall.
By Jason Samenow |
10:00 AM ET, 04/25/2011 |
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Posted at 05:00 AM ET, 04/25/2011
By Jason Samenow
Are your air conditioners ready? For the next several days we have humid 80s and potential late-day thunderstorms.
By Jason Samenow |
05:00 AM ET, 04/25/2011 |
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Posted at 09:40 PM ET, 04/24/2011
By Jason Samenow and Ian Livingston
A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for the entire metro region through 9 p.m. Thunderstorms with damaging winds to 70 mph and large hail up to 1” diameters are possible in storms that form.
By Jason Samenow and Ian Livingston |
09:40 PM ET, 04/24/2011 |
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Posted at 03:30 PM ET, 04/24/2011
By Brian Jackson
A warm front heads north today and stays there, leaving us with highs around 80 or above well into the coming week. While we’ll be warm, the air will be fairly moist as well, enough so for times of clouds and at least the chance for a shower or storm each day or night through midweek.
By Brian Jackson |
03:30 PM ET, 04/24/2011 |
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Posted at 10:00 PM ET, 04/23/2011
By Ian Livingston
80s are in our near future. But, before that, we’re still dodging a stalled out boundary that wants to keep clouds and intermittent rain drops in the mix for a while longer.
By Ian Livingston |
10:00 PM ET, 04/23/2011 |
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Posted at 04:15 PM ET, 04/22/2011
By Jason Samenow
What a gross, miserable Friday afternoon. It’s felt more like late February than late April as our rain has been accompanied by temperatures in the mid-to-upper 40s. I’ve even heard reports of sleet as close by as Baltimore. Rain continues tonight, but after a warm front pushes to our north, we should enjoy a dry interval for part of Saturday morning and afternoon. However, rain may return later in the day.
By Jason Samenow |
04:15 PM ET, 04/22/2011 |
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Posted at 02:45 PM ET, 04/22/2011
By Jason Samenow
We warned you that this spring’s weather would be volatile. But who knew it would be as extreme as it’s been to date? And is the worst still to come?
By Jason Samenow |
02:45 PM ET, 04/22/2011 |
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Posted at 12:30 PM ET, 04/22/2011
By Jason Samenow
Walter Reed Army Medical Center sends along some good news today: the worst of the tree pollen season may have passed. Here’s the update, courtesy Susan Kosisky of the Allergen Extract Lab...
By Jason Samenow |
12:30 PM ET, 04/22/2011 |
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Posted at 10:35 AM ET, 04/22/2011
By Jason Samenow
Check out thetruly inspired video in this post called the Mountain. Recorded in El Teide, Spain, it is an incredible tribute to the beauty of the surrounding landscape and the sky above.
By Jason Samenow |
10:35 AM ET, 04/22/2011 |
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Posted at 05:00 AM ET, 04/22/2011
By Camden Walker
This spring’s temperature roller coast continues at least a bit longer. Today’s chilly 50s, a full 30 degrees colder than 48 hours ago are about to be replaced by 70s and 80s in the days ahead. Some rain may fall, too.
By Camden Walker |
05:00 AM ET, 04/22/2011 |
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Posted at 04:00 PM ET, 04/21/2011
By Jason Samenow
High clouds have filtered today’s sunshine while brisk winds from the north and northwest have gusted at times over 25 mph. As a result, high temperatures have only managed to reach the low 60s, more than 20 degrees colder than yesterday. Tomorrow, increasing clouds and some patchy light rain push temps down another notch before a warming trend commences over the weekend.
By Jason Samenow |
04:00 PM ET, 04/21/2011 |
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Posted at 02:30 PM ET, 04/21/2011
By Jason Samenow
If there’s any good news for pollen sufferers, it’s that some rain is likely late tomorrow into tomorrow night, which should knock levels down some. Tree pollen counts today have surged to 2177 grains/cubic meter which is very high according to Walter Reed Army Medical Center. So how much rain are we talking about?
By Jason Samenow |
02:30 PM ET, 04/21/2011 |
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Posted at 11:00 AM ET, 04/21/2011
By David Streit
I figured now was as good a time as any to make a few resolutions since this is New Year’s time for gardening. To do this, I am going to take you along on some of my recent adventures in the garden. Trust me, this hurts me more than you! I loved having a few weeks to be the teacher and sage about gardening, but it is time for some humility. In fact, I will share some learning experiences and if they remind you of some aha moments of your own, please share. That way, we all benefit.
By David Streit |
11:00 AM ET, 04/21/2011 |
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Posted at 05:00 AM ET, 04/21/2011
By David Streit
By tomorrow, today will be a nice memory as Good Friday is not so good. A downright bone-numbing rain is slated for Friday afternoon. Fear not, as we are expecting that nasty cold front to go flying back to the north as a warm front on Saturday, probably giving us a delightful Easter Sunday. The warmth now looks like it might hold into early next week for a change.
By David Streit |
05:00 AM ET, 04/21/2011 |
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Posted at 04:55 AM ET, 04/21/2011
By David Streit
Dress warmly as this is soccer (football) weather UK style! Despite increasing clouds, shower threats are minimal.
By David Streit |
04:55 AM ET, 04/21/2011 |
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Posted at 07:00 PM ET, 04/20/2011
By Jason Samenow
When you think of April weather in London, cloudy, rainy, and cool may come to mind. Not this year and not right now. The forecast for the next week is for nothing but sunshine and highs in the 70s (21 to 25 C).
By Jason Samenow |
07:00 PM ET, 04/20/2011 |
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Posted at 03:30 PM ET, 04/20/2011
By Ian Livingston
A cold front is about to usher out today’s temperatures that soared into the 80s. There’s a bit of a risk of a shower or storm as the front passes into the evening, but nothing major. Then it’s cooler into tomorrow.
By Ian Livingston |
03:30 PM ET, 04/20/2011 |
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Posted at 02:00 PM ET, 04/20/2011
By Jason Samenow
Another big round of severe weather smacked the east central U.S. yesterday, resulting in just shy of 900 storm reports for high winds (493), large hail (349) and tornadoes (34). The responsible storm system, which also dropped 2-10 inches of snow in portions of Minnesota, Wisconsin ( a record 9.9 inches in Green Bay) and northern Michigan, lifts northeastward today, dragging a cold front through the East. Some severe thunderstorms are possible along the front, but they should be far less numerous than yesterday.
By Jason Samenow |
02:00 PM ET, 04/20/2011 |
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Posted at 11:30 AM ET, 04/20/2011
By Jason Samenow
A dataset maintained by NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center indicates 2011 has likely seen more tornadoes through April 19 than any other season on record.
By Jason Samenow |
11:30 AM ET, 04/20/2011 |
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Posted at 10:30 AM ET, 04/20/2011
By Kevin Ambrose
Last year, I wrote a post about determining the width of a lightning bolt by using a tree that was struck by lightning as a measuring post. By measuring the burn mark on the wood I was able to determine that the diameter of lightning is roughly the size of a pencil to about an inch. This winter, I found another tree that was struck by lightning. This tree’s measurements were consistent with what I had determined from the tree in my first post. However, whereas I found only the bark exploded on the first tree, both the wood and bark exploded on the second tree along the path of the electric current.
By Kevin Ambrose |
10:30 AM ET, 04/20/2011 |
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Posted at 05:00 AM ET, 04/20/2011
By Dan Stillman
The weather this spring just cannot seem to hit a stride, and that trend is set to continue. We’ve got forecast highs ranging from the 80s to the 50s (maybe even the 40s) over the next several days, with some days dry and some days showery and/or stormy. Today is one of those potentially stormy days, and if storms do develop they could be severe.
By Dan Stillman |
05:00 AM ET, 04/20/2011 |
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Posted at 07:00 PM ET, 04/19/2011
By Jason Samenow
In far west Texas lies McDonald Observatory, a major astronomical research center of the University of Texas at Austin. In recent days, large wildfires have burned in its vicinity, sparked by an extreme drought and fanned by gusty winds. On Monday, April 11, the wildfires briefly knocked out power to the Observatory. Though it has been closed to the public at times over the last week, the Observatory has not been harmed and plans to re-open Wednesday. The images in this post show some of the breathtaking imagery of the surrounding fires...
By Jason Samenow |
07:00 PM ET, 04/19/2011 |
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Posted at 04:45 PM ET, 04/19/2011
By Jason Samenow
Depending on where you live, it’s been either rainy (frequent showers/storms) and cool, or cloudy and warm (with isolated, brief shower activity). The dividing line has been a warm front in the vicinity of central Maryland. To the north, temps have held in the 50s to low 60s, and to the south, it’s been in the mid-60s to near 70. As the warm front lifts north, everyone gets a taste of warmth tomorrow, before a cold front brings another round of showers and thunderstorms late in the day, which could be strong.
By Jason Samenow |
04:45 PM ET, 04/19/2011 |
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Posted at 03:15 PM ET, 04/19/2011
By Jason Samenow
Walter Reed Army Medical Center reports tree pollen reached to its highest level yet this year yesterday, climbing to 2302 grains per cubic meter - which is very high. Thankfully, today’s rain showers should knock it back down a bit.
By Jason Samenow |
03:15 PM ET, 04/19/2011 |
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Posted at 01:30 PM ET, 04/19/2011
By Jason Samenow
Meteorologist Mike Smith, CEO of WeatherData (an AccuWeather company), is rightly criticizing news media for claiming that tornadoes are unpredictable and that Saturday’s deadly twisters in North Carolina were a “surprise.”
By Jason Samenow |
01:30 PM ET, 04/19/2011 |
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Posted at 11:15 AM ET, 04/19/2011
By Dan Stillman
Your chance to grade our forecast leading up to and through this past weekend.
By Dan Stillman |
11:15 AM ET, 04/19/2011 |
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Posted at 05:00 AM ET, 04/19/2011
By Matt Rogers
The past several weeks have all offered one warm day in the 80s. For the past two weeks, that day was Monday, but this week’s winner is Wednesday. We’ll progress in that direction today with highs well into the 70s under mixed skies. But the warm air (and humidity) keep pumping into the area tomorrow too, allowing most locations to reach the 80s. Spring-time variability is the constant as Thursday goes cooler-than-normal (but nice) and Friday goes much cooler with maybe some wet weather (not-so-nice).
By Matt Rogers |
05:00 AM ET, 04/19/2011 |
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Posted at 06:30 PM ET, 04/18/2011
By Jason Samenow
Tornadoes touched down in several places in Frederick and Carroll counties during Saturday’s severe weather outbreak in the region according to preliminary reports from the National Weather Service (NWS). Unlike the storms in the Carolinas and southeast Virginia, these storms were relatively weak, and caused only minor damage and no injuries.
By Jason Samenow |
06:30 PM ET, 04/18/2011 |
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Posted at 03:30 PM ET, 04/18/2011
By Ian Livingston
Clouds didn’t keep temperatures from nearing 70 today, and we’ll surpass that mark tomorrow with little trouble. With flooding concerns still ongoing, just a few showers or storms threaten late Tuesday.
By Ian Livingston |
03:30 PM ET, 04/18/2011 |
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Posted at 11:45 AM ET, 04/18/2011
By Andrew Freedman
One of the largest three-day tornado outbreaks in history swept across the country Thursday through Saturday, with 241 tornado reports in 14 states, and killing at least 45 people. Although the official tally of confirmed tornadoes is still being counted as meteorologists complete storm damage surveys, it’s already obvious that this was no ordinary early-spring severe weather event.
By Andrew Freedman |
11:45 AM ET, 04/18/2011 |
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Posted at 09:00 AM ET, 04/18/2011
By Jason Samenow
More than 40 severe weather warnings were issued across northern Virginia, northeast West Virginia, and central Maryland Saturday. And while the storms were nowhere near as violent as those that hit southern Virginia and North Carolina, some parts of our region continue to feel their effects.
By Jason Samenow |
09:00 AM ET, 04/18/2011 |
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Posted at 05:00 AM ET, 04/18/2011
By Jason Samenow
As inconsistent as the weather has been this spring, it is trending warmer. Whereas over the last couple of weeks we saw several days with highs stuck in the 50s, none of that this week. But we do continue the maddening pattern of showers/storms every two or three days, including once again this Saturday. We will fit in the occasional pleasant day in between, starting with today.
By Jason Samenow |
05:00 AM ET, 04/18/2011 |
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Posted at 05:00 AM ET, 04/17/2011
By Brian Jackson
Even with the gusty winds, today is quite clearly the best of the weekend after yesterday’s multiple lines of storms. After today, we turn more unsettled again as rain threatens at times through the first half of the week. At least temperatures remain on the mild side.
By Brian Jackson |
05:00 AM ET, 04/17/2011 |
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Posted at 04:55 AM ET, 04/17/2011
By Brian Jackson
A light jacket may be advisable due to the wind, though with plenty of sun I think you could find a much worse day to enjoy a double-day at the ballpark.
By Brian Jackson |
04:55 AM ET, 04/17/2011 |
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Posted at 09:00 PM ET, 04/16/2011
By Ian Livingston and Dan Stillman
Storms approaching from the west will arrive during the late afternoon. They may contain damaging winds or tornadoes.
By Ian Livingston and Dan Stillman |
09:00 PM ET, 04/16/2011 |
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Posted at 01:00 PM ET, 04/16/2011
By Ian Livingston
The threat of showers arrives with sunrise. Hopefully, some parts of the day are salvageable, but the risk of heavier rain and storms grows by afternoon and evening.
By Ian Livingston |
01:00 PM ET, 04/16/2011 |
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Posted at 04:55 AM ET, 04/16/2011
By Ian Livingston
Saturday’s looking pretty rainy on the whole, but maybe Nats fans luck out with a drier period midday. Don’t bet on it, and bring rain gear if you go!
By Ian Livingston |
04:55 AM ET, 04/16/2011 |
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Posted at 03:20 PM ET, 04/15/2011
By Dan Stillman
Today’s sun and highs in the mid-60s makes two gorgeous days in a row. That’s no chump change in what’s been a rather frustrating spring. The streak ends tomorrow with showers likely and storms possible late.
By Dan Stillman |
03:20 PM ET, 04/15/2011 |
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Posted at 01:45 PM ET, 04/15/2011
By Jason Samenow
Over the course of just a few hours Thursday afternoon and evening, a seemingly harmless band of clouds stretching across central Oklahoma exploded into violent, rotating thunderstorms that produced multiple tornadoes. In the later frames of the video in this post, notice how clouds appear to bubble up. That’s evidence of overshooting tops - dome-like protrusions in the thunderstorm’s anvil, often indicative of severe storms. This animation also nicely illustrates the swirl and intensification of low pressure over western Kansas. Finally, if you look closely, you can see smoke extending from a fire in north central Texas, currently suffering from severe drought.
By Jason Samenow |
01:45 PM ET, 04/15/2011 |
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Posted at 11:00 AM ET, 04/15/2011
By Jason Samenow
By Jason Samenow |
11:00 AM ET, 04/15/2011 |
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Posted at 05:00 AM ET, 04/15/2011
By Camden Walker
CAPITAL WEATHER GANG | Highs near 60 today. Enjoy ... rain’s ahead.
By Camden Walker |
05:00 AM ET, 04/15/2011 |
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Posted at 04:55 AM ET, 04/15/2011
By Camden Walker
Temperatures dip through the 50s as an easterly breeze and increasing clouds make it feel slightly chilled. Overall, not a bad evening for baseball.
By Camden Walker |
04:55 AM ET, 04/15/2011 |
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Posted at 05:15 PM ET, 04/14/2011
By Jason Samenow
Violent thunderstorms are developing over the south central Plains this evening, which may spawn “significant tornadoes” according to NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center.
By Jason Samenow |
05:15 PM ET, 04/14/2011 |
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Posted at 03:15 PM ET, 04/14/2011
By Jason Samenow
Today has been everything it was cracked up to be, with beautiful sunshine and temperatures approaching 70. But tomorrow, weather conditions begin their downhill ride. Flow from the east knocks temperatures down a notch and clouds are more pervasive. Then we await the inevitable downpours due Saturday.
By Jason Samenow |
03:15 PM ET, 04/14/2011 |
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Posted at 11:45 AM ET, 04/14/2011
By Jason Samenow
It’s simply not fair. Last Saturday was overcast with highs in the low 50s. This coming Saturday, the possibility of heavy, even flooding rain looms as a slow moving front trudges towards the region. Is this spring turning into one of the worst in recent memory weatherwise?
By Jason Samenow |
11:45 AM ET, 04/14/2011 |
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Posted at 10:45 AM ET, 04/14/2011
By Matt Ross
By Matt Ross |
10:45 AM ET, 04/14/2011 |
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Posted at 05:00 AM ET, 04/14/2011
By David Streit
My words one week ago hold true again today: “Here’s to one of the rarities, a perfectly spring day.” See now, don’t you wish I was doing the forecast every day? It does appear that our timing is not doing so well right now as it is going to be a soggy Saturday, like around an inch wet. The showers put a chill back in the air and, unlike last week, there is no big warm up showing up to start the new work week.
By David Streit |
05:00 AM ET, 04/14/2011 |
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Posted at 04:55 AM ET, 04/14/2011
By David Streit
A perfect evening for baseball with calm winds and mild temperatures. You might want a jacket by late in the game.
By David Streit |
04:55 AM ET, 04/14/2011 |
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Posted at 04:00 PM ET, 04/13/2011
By Ian Livingston
Another cool and clammy day is mostly behind us as a slow-moving storm system finally heads out of the area. After a chilled night we’re looking at sun and mild conditions on Thursday.
By Ian Livingston |
04:00 PM ET, 04/13/2011 |
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Posted at 03:00 PM ET, 04/13/2011
By Jason Samenow
For an number of years, NOAA has been working toward the development of a Climate Service. The premise of the Climate Service is that it would make climate information and data available in “accessible and timely” formats to assist people in making decisions. But in their Continuing Resolution for Fiscal Year 2011, Congress and the White House have blocked any funding for the effort.
By Jason Samenow |
03:00 PM ET, 04/13/2011 |
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Posted at 11:00 AM ET, 04/13/2011
By James Hurrell and guest contributor
For all the talk of this past winter being one for the record books, the reality is much different. While extremely cold conditions gripped some sections of the country at various times during the past few months, the winter of 2010-2011 actually served up temperatures that were just a little cooler than average over the entire contiguous United States. Records from thousands of weather stations across the lower 48 states from December through February show the past season did not even crack the coldest one-third of winters since 1895, when very reliable recordkeeping began. So why was there so much talk about it being so cold?
By James Hurrell and guest contributor |
11:00 AM ET, 04/13/2011 |
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Posted at 05:00 AM ET, 04/13/2011
By Dan Stillman
It shouldn’t be as wet, but yesterday’s gloomy look and feel continues today, and it’s cooler too. We’re able to string together a pair of nice days tomorrow and Friday, before rain chances arrive again Friday night or Saturday morning. As a whole, the weekend doesn’t look great, though Sunday could be decent.
By Dan Stillman |
05:00 AM ET, 04/13/2011 |
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Posted at 04:55 AM ET, 04/13/2011
By Dan Stillman
Showers and/or drizzle from earlier in the day are most likely gone by game time.
By Dan Stillman |
04:55 AM ET, 04/13/2011 |
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Posted at 04:00 PM ET, 04/12/2011
By Jason Samenow
A stubborn area of upper level low pressure slowly pinwheels through the metro region over the next 24 hours bringing showers and pretty constant cloud cover. We probably have to wait until Thursday to see the return of solid sunshine.
By Jason Samenow |
04:00 PM ET, 04/12/2011 |
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Posted at 03:00 PM ET, 04/12/2011
By Jason Samenow
The improv outfit
12AngryMascots produced this entertaining parody of sports talk radio, substituting weather as the subject matter...
By Jason Samenow |
03:00 PM ET, 04/12/2011 |
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Posted at 11:00 AM ET, 04/12/2011
By Andrew Freedman
Last week was a bewildering one for those who recognize the abundance of compelling scientific evidence showing that the climate system is changing, and that this is very likely due in part to human activities. While the news cycle was dominated by the down-to-the-wire budget negotiations in Washington, ongoing unrest in the Middle East, the nuclear crisis in Japan, a major congressional debate on climate change regulations took place in both the House and Senate that vividly demonstrated how far off the rails we’ve gone in public discourse of climate science and policy.
By Andrew Freedman |
11:00 AM ET, 04/12/2011 |
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Posted at 05:00 AM ET, 04/12/2011
By Matt Rogers
Showers with cool and cloudy conditions could threaten game play. No washout is expected, but delays are reasonable depending on shower timing.
By Matt Rogers |
05:00 AM ET, 04/12/2011 |
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Posted at 05:00 AM ET, 04/12/2011
By Matt Rogers
Yesterday’s great weather is gone. Expect cool, wet and dreary.
By Matt Rogers |
05:00 AM ET, 04/12/2011 |
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Posted at 07:00 PM ET, 04/11/2011
By Dan Stillman
Your chance to grade our forecast leading up to and through this past weekend.
By Dan Stillman |
07:00 PM ET, 04/11/2011 |
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Posted at 03:45 PM ET, 04/11/2011
By Ian Livingston
Our taste of summerlike air is coming to an end, and more shower and storm threats are around the corner. A slow moving storm system promises to keep us from seeing too much sun through midweek.
By Ian Livingston |
03:45 PM ET, 04/11/2011 |
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Posted at 02:30 PM ET, 04/11/2011
By Jason Samenow
Imagine watching the radar as a line of thunderstorms approaches and as you mouse over the various storms, instantly seeing how intense they are on a scale from 1-5? That’s AccuWeather Henry Margusity’s vision for his “T Scale” which ranks thunderstorms based on a set of six criteria.
By Jason Samenow |
02:30 PM ET, 04/11/2011 |
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Posted at 12:00 PM ET, 04/11/2011
By Don Lipman
On April 12, 1861, Abraham Lincoln, 16th president of the United States, had been in office only 39 days when, at 4:30 A.M., Confederate cannons opened fire against Ft. Sumter, SC, a small Union garrison in Charleston harbor. The Civil War had begun. Most historians agree that the weather was a huge issue during the entire conflict but strangely, at the time of the Ft. Sumter bombardment, little was reported about the weather.
By Don Lipman |
12:00 PM ET, 04/11/2011 |
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Posted at 10:10 AM ET, 04/11/2011
By Jason Samenow
Multiple tornadoes ripped through western Iowa, Saturday, including one which
leveled 20 percent of the town of Mapleton. Roughly 100 mile to the northeast in Pocahontas, a team of storm chasers captured some the most incredible night time tornado footage I have ever seen. Watch, as the chasers, assisted by near-constant lightning, capture on tape not one, but two tornadoes.
By Jason Samenow |
10:10 AM ET, 04/11/2011 |
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Posted at 05:00 AM ET, 04/11/2011
By Jason Samenow
Consistency has been hard to find this spring, with few prolonged stretches of dry, warm weather. More often than not, we’re teased with one or two nice days before it transitions to stormy and then colder than average weather. That’s the story again this week with a lovely start to the week before it all comes crashing down tomorrow.
By Jason Samenow |
05:00 AM ET, 04/11/2011 |
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Posted at 05:00 AM ET, 04/10/2011
By Brian Jackson
We’re finally trending toward a lasting stretch of springtime weather (hurray!). In fact, after brighter skies and a nice bump in temperatures today, tomorrow looks close to a summer preview with 80s to maybe a shot at near 90, before a possibly stormy cold front passage tomorrow night.
By Brian Jackson |
05:00 AM ET, 04/10/2011 |
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Posted at 05:00 AM ET, 04/09/2011
By Ian Livingston
Highs today shoot for 60 in some spots, but clouds hang pretty tough. Much milder air is waiting to make its push north and its presence will be known by tomorrow.
By Ian Livingston |
05:00 AM ET, 04/09/2011 |
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Posted at 04:55 AM ET, 04/09/2011
By Ian Livingston
Clouds and temperatures going nowhere in the 50s should not make for too bad of an evening as long as you’re dressed for it.
By Ian Livingston |
04:55 AM ET, 04/09/2011 |
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Posted at 04:00 PM ET, 04/08/2011
By Jason Samenow
A week that has at times been sensational, but at other times stormy, closes on a sour note with dismally damp 40s. The outlook remains cloudyand bleak through Saturday, but the bulk of the steady rain has passed.
By Jason Samenow |
04:00 PM ET, 04/08/2011 |
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Posted at 02:00 PM ET, 04/08/2011
By Jason Samenow
When we published a blog post summarizing Colorado State’s 2011 Atlantic hurricane season outlook Wednesday, I was stunned by the skepticism expressed by readers about the credibility of such outlooks. So I thought it would make sense to take a look at how skillful at how well/poorly CSU’s April outlooks have performed over the years. I found that although they haven’t demonstrated significant skill from a purely statistical standpoint, most years they’ve been on the right track.
By Jason Samenow |
02:00 PM ET, 04/08/2011 |
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Posted at 10:45 AM ET, 04/08/2011
By Ian Livingston
April is a transitional month in D.C., but warm begins to win out as the days progress. And what about those April showers?
By Ian Livingston |
10:45 AM ET, 04/08/2011 |
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Posted at 05:00 AM ET, 04/08/2011
By Camden Walker
We’ll be dodging some raindrops with chillier weather today, and as we start the weekend it’s still a bit unsettled. After that, there are warm times ahead!
By Camden Walker |
05:00 AM ET, 04/08/2011 |
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Posted at 06:00 PM ET, 04/07/2011
By Jason Samenow
Every weekday, the Walter Reed Army Medical Center issues pollen reports. In today’s, they posted a graphic that will surely terrify allergy sufferers.
By Jason Samenow |
06:00 PM ET, 04/07/2011 |
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Posted at 01:42 PM ET, 04/07/2011
By Kevin Ambrose
When I went on my blossom photo shoot to the Tidal Basin last Wednesday, I was greeted by a biting wind and a sky filled with dark, stratus clouds. I decided to use an external flash with my camera to illuminate the blossoms.
By Kevin Ambrose |
01:42 PM ET, 04/07/2011 |
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Posted at 10:45 AM ET, 04/07/2011
By David Streit
Since we last spoke two weeks ago, we have been below freezing and well up into the 80s... Yep, it is springtime in D.C.! I mentioned a time or two that getting down a bed of mulch right now sure helps to even out those temperature extremes and protect all those wonderful plants now just coming to life.
By David Streit |
10:45 AM ET, 04/07/2011 |
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Posted at 05:00 AM ET, 04/07/2011
By David Streit
Here’s to one of the rarities, a perfectly spring day. Wish we could hold on to it a little longer but after today the umbrella should be kept close at hand into Saturday. I am not complaining, as after all, April showers bring May flowers. Although the showers chill us back below average for a couple of days, get ready for another surge of heat on Monday. 80s here we come...
By David Streit |
05:00 AM ET, 04/07/2011 |
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Posted at 06:45 PM ET, 04/06/2011
By Jason Samenow
As a potential
shutdown of the Federal government draws closer, a looming question is: what would happen to products and services provided by the National Weather Service (NWS) ? Would NWS continue to issue forecasts, watches, warnings, and advisories? A NOAA official says yes.
By Jason Samenow |
06:45 PM ET, 04/06/2011 |
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Posted at 03:45 PM ET, 04/06/2011
By Ian Livingston
We saw lots of sun and a little warmth today. Tomorrow we see a little less sun but also a little more warmth! Then a shower threat arrives and promises to stick around for a few days.
By Ian Livingston |
03:45 PM ET, 04/06/2011 |
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Posted at 02:35 PM ET, 04/06/2011
By Jason Samenow
NOAA’s Environmental Visualization Lab created a map depicting all of the ”tornado events” reported between January 1, 1950 and December 31, 2010.
By Jason Samenow |
02:35 PM ET, 04/06/2011 |
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Posted at 12:35 PM ET, 04/06/2011
By Greg Postel
Though informative, hurricane season predictions made the spring prior to hurricane season (or before) inherently leave plenty of wiggle room for things to turn out differently than advertised.
By Greg Postel |
12:35 PM ET, 04/06/2011 |
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Posted at 11:26 AM ET, 04/06/2011
By Jason Samenow
The team of hurricane forecasters at Colorado State University announced today that they expect the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season to nearly twice as active as the average season (175 percent of normal). Specifically, they are calling for 16 named storms, nine hurricanes and five major hurricanes with sustained winds of 111 mph or greater.
By Jason Samenow |
11:26 AM ET, 04/06/2011 |
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Posted at 10:20 AM ET, 04/06/2011
By Matt Rogers
Our recently-ended March 2011 was a strange month with lots of temperature variability and some interesting precipitation events. From a temperature standpoint, the month was 5.6 degrees colder than last March and almost 1degree colder than the thirty-year fixed normal (1971-2000). Our warmest day was that excellent 80-degree high temperature on March 18 and our coolest day was the 41-degree high on March 3 followed by the 42F just last week on March 31.
By Matt Rogers |
10:20 AM ET, 04/06/2011 |
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Posted at 05:00 AM ET, 04/06/2011
By Dan Stillman
Man was yesterday a downer. Nasty morning storms and wind-blown 40s and 50s were a total bummer after Monday’s sunny 80s. This morning’s chill isn’t much fun either. Good news is temperatures moderate nicely this afternoon and highs near 70 are in play tomorrow. The warming trend stalls out Friday and Saturday as rain chances increase.
By Dan Stillman |
05:00 AM ET, 04/06/2011 |
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Posted at 04:55 AM ET, 04/06/2011
By Dan Stillman
It’s a few degrees cooler than if this game were in the city at RFK. But overall we’ve got a decent evening for soccer with any shower likely to be a quickly passing one.
By Dan Stillman |
04:55 AM ET, 04/06/2011 |
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Posted at 03:30 PM ET, 04/05/2011
By Jason Samenow
What a volatile past 24 hours. We’ve gone from record warmth in the mid-80s to early morning severe thunderstorms to wind-chilled 40s this afternoon. Although a blustery evening lies ahead, the next 24 hours promise to be much more placid than the previous.
By Jason Samenow |
03:30 PM ET, 04/05/2011 |
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Posted at 02:30 PM ET, 04/05/2011
By Jason Samenow
On Sunday evening, thunderstorms blew up over the region as a warm front lifted northward (setting the stage for Monday’s record heat). While nowhere near as intense as the storms that came through this morning, Sunday’s storms were full of electricity. PhotographerMaxwell Kruger took full advantage of the light show
By Jason Samenow |
02:30 PM ET, 04/05/2011 |
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Posted at 02:07 PM ET, 04/05/2011
By Jason Samenow
An intense thunderstorm squall line raced through the metro region between 3:30 and 5:30 a.m. producing powerful winds and torrential rain. But as the storms passed by at a stunning 60-80 mph clip, the worst of the weather was in and out of most areas in about 10-15 minutes. Five tornado warnings, five severe thunderstorm warnings and four special marine warnings were issued by the National Service (NWS) as the storms tore through.
By Jason Samenow |
02:07 PM ET, 04/05/2011 |
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Posted at 12:36 PM ET, 04/05/2011
By Jason Samenow
By Jason Samenow |
12:36 PM ET, 04/05/2011 |
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Posted at 05:45 AM ET, 04/05/2011
By Matt Rogers
Apparently it is far too early in this spring to expect more than one nice day in a row around here. After this morning’s clamor, we’re back to the story of cooler weather with brisk wind chills and below normal temperatures. We’ll try to do better tomorrow as temperatures make their way back up through the 60s, and Thursday has a shot at the low 70s. But Friday into the start of the weekend becomes a little murky again.
By Matt Rogers |
05:45 AM ET, 04/05/2011 |
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Posted at 04:45 AM ET, 04/05/2011
By Ian Livingston and Jason Samenow
Showers and thunderstorms are rapidly moving through West Virgnia out ahead of a front and they promise to bring rain in the overnight.
By Ian Livingston and Jason Samenow |
04:45 AM ET, 04/05/2011 |
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Posted at 03:15 PM ET, 04/04/2011
By Ian Livingston
Today’s highs near or above 80 are fleeting, and tomorrow afternoon’s readings could easily be 30 degrees lower behind the cold front. Between now and then, some rain and storms are a decent bet.
By Ian Livingston |
03:15 PM ET, 04/04/2011 |
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Posted at 01:45 PM ET, 04/04/2011
By Jason Samenow
The Post’s John Kelly initiated the inaugural squirrel week today. Squirrels are no strangers to the Capital Weather Gang. Readers have frequently remarked about the behavior of these nut foraging rodents leading up to winter as well storms.
By Jason Samenow |
01:45 PM ET, 04/04/2011 |
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Posted at 10:45 AM ET, 04/04/2011
By Andrew Freedman
Each month seems to bring new evidence of the transformation underway in the rapidly warming Arctic. Late last month, the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC)
announced that the maximum Arctic sea ice extent for 2011, which occurred on March 7, tied for the lowest such value since satellites began making observations in 1979.
By Andrew Freedman |
10:45 AM ET, 04/04/2011 |
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Posted at 05:00 AM ET, 04/04/2011
By Jason Samenow
For weeks, many have awaited a day like today with sunshine and temperatures near 80. But a strong cold front punches through the region late tonight and early Tuesday with a round of gusty storms, smacking us back down to the blustery 50s. But from Wednesday through the weekend, temps should be at or above average, sure to put a smile on the face of warm weather fans...
By Jason Samenow |
05:00 AM ET, 04/04/2011 |
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Posted at 05:00 AM ET, 04/03/2011
By Camden Walker
After a fairly nice day today (cool to start but warming steadily), a few showers may pepper the region tonight. By Monday, wow, we have a gush of warm air - and instability that could have thunderstorms crackling Monday night into Tuesday morning.
By Camden Walker |
05:00 AM ET, 04/03/2011 |
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Posted at 04:55 AM ET, 04/03/2011
By Camden Walker
Decent game weather with some sun at least at the start - clouds try to increase as the game goes on - and temperatures rising through the 50s to maybe near 60.
By Camden Walker |
04:55 AM ET, 04/03/2011 |
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Posted at 05:00 AM ET, 04/02/2011
By Ian Livingston
Today we climb into the 50s, which is still about 10 degrees below average. Watch out for plentiful clouds bringing scattered showers during the day.
By Ian Livingston |
05:00 AM ET, 04/02/2011 |
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Posted at 05:39 PM ET, 04/01/2011
By Andrew Freedman
On Thursday we reported on NOAA’s warning to congressional appropriators that budget cuts to a major satellite program, known as the Joint Polar Satellite System or JPSS, would severely erode the accuracy of weather forecasts. Today, six Democratic Senators took up NOAA’s cause, sending a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) as well as Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and the chair and ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. The senators are seeking full funding for JPSS during the remainder of the 2011 fiscal year.
By Andrew Freedman |
05:39 PM ET, 04/01/2011 |
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Posted at 03:45 PM ET, 04/01/2011
By Jason Samenow
Darn clouds. Today’s dearth of sunshine resulted in temperatures failing to surpass 50 for the eighth time in nine days. On the other hand, it was about five degrees warmer than yesterday. Tomorrow we take another five or so degree step towards April normalcy. However, we may have to dodge some rain showers in the process.
By Jason Samenow |
03:45 PM ET, 04/01/2011 |
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Posted at 02:30 PM ET, 04/01/2011
By Jason Samenow
Capital Weather Gang reader S.P. Gass awoke to a “pretty and surprising” 3.5 inches of snow this morning in Warren County between Linden and Chester Gap, Virginia. His picture of the snow backlit by diffuse sunlight is above. You can view more of his photos at OldDominionWildlife.com.
By Jason Samenow |
02:30 PM ET, 04/01/2011 |
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Posted at 11:30 AM ET, 04/01/2011
By Kevin Ambrose
This past Sunday, I joined the Diggin’ in Virginia spring relic hunt in Culpeper, Virginia. The weather was anything but springlike, however, as the first day of the hunt began with the ground covered by an inch of wet snow and light snow falling steadily from the sky. The weather did not deter over 200 relic hunters who had signed up for the event and the hunt continued without a weather delay.
By Kevin Ambrose |
11:30 AM ET, 04/01/2011 |
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Posted at 10:47 AM ET, 04/01/2011
By Jason Samenow
It’s been a while since AccuWeather’s Jim Kosek has graced this blog’s presence. But his video from Wednesday is something else.
By Jason Samenow |
10:47 AM ET, 04/01/2011 |
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Posted at 07:00 PM ET, 03/31/2011
By Jason Samenow
Less than a week ago, Friday, March 25, a severe sandstorm very suddenly enveloped parts of Kuwait. It caused traffic jams, stranded travelers, disrupted cell phone service, damaged crops, hospitalized hundreds due to dust inhalation, and temporarily shut down Kuwait’s international airport. The Arab Times described the storm as a “tsunami of sand” with a “menacing black” wall of dust, noting it lowered visibility to almost zero.
By Jason Samenow |
07:00 PM ET, 03/31/2011 |
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Posted at 02:02 PM ET, 03/31/2011
By Jason Samenow
A powerful line of thunderstorms has raked through the central Florida peninsula today, producing damaging winds and spawning tornadoes.
By Jason Samenow |
02:02 PM ET, 03/31/2011 |
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Posted at 11:15 AM ET, 03/31/2011
By Andrew Freedman
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is sounding the alarm on budget cuts, telling Congress that a failure to restore funding for development of the next generation of polar orbiting satellites, known as the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS), would significantly reduce the accuracy of weather forecasts, particularly medium-range forecasts, and may have an outsized impact on forecasts for extreme events, such as blizzards or hurricanes.
By Andrew Freedman |
11:15 AM ET, 03/31/2011 |
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