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Soggy back-to-work Mondays are always tough to take, but especially after such a spectacular weekend. We do need the rain though, and at least it waited for a weekday, although totals so far have varied from a paltry 0.04” at National to a respectable 0.25” at Dulles. We should see a little more sun in the coming days than today, not to mention warmer temperatures than today’s highs in the low 70s. But shower chances will persist, if not a thunderstorm or two.

Through Tonight: Skies have brightened a touch this afternoon and the mist that had lingered north and west of town has broken up as well. Still, scattered showers and maybe a thunderstorm could re-develop (40-50% chance) during or after the commute. Rain chances diminish overnight, leaving behind mist and fog. The damp air and cloudy skies don’t allow for much in the way of cooling as lows settle in the low-to-mid 60s.

Tomorrow (Tuesday): Can’t rule out morning mist or a shower along with some fog. But the best chance of showers (50-60%) and maybe a thunderstorm comes during the afternoon into evening. Marine flow from the east relents and we may even pick up some breezes from the south, which should help to brighten skies a bit over today - we’ll call it partly to mostly cloudy - and lift highs to the mid-70s to near 80.

See Brian Jackson’s forecast through the holiday weekend. And if you haven’t already, join us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter For related traffic news, check out Dr. Gridlock.

T.S. Alberto and T.D. TWO-E: While the Atlantic hurricane season started early with the formation of Tropical Storm Alberto over the weekend, it has also started harmlessly (other than some dangerous surf along the Southeast coast) as Alberto is predicted to remain well off the East Coast as it heads northeast over the Atlantic the next couple of days. The same may not hold true for the Pacific, where Tropical Depression TWO-E could soon become Tropical Storm Bud and might hit southwestern Mexico as a hurricane late in the week.

(Courtesy of National Hurricane Center)

The May 15-November 30 eastern Pacific hurricane season is well underway with the National Hurricane Center forecasting that Tropical Depression TWO-E should become Tropical Storm Bud later today. The Center says it could hit southwestern Mexico near the resort city of Manzillo as a Category 2 hurricane on Friday.

Aletta, this year’s first eastern Pacific tropical storm formed on May 14 and died on May 19 without ever threatening land.

Prevailing easterly winds usually push most eastern Pacific tropical storms and hurricanes away from North America, which is why these storms usually attract little public attention.

Nevertheless, nearly every year two or three of these storms move to the east to hit Mexico’s Pacific Coast, sometimes as a Category 3 or stronger storm.

A medevac helicopter lies in ruins beside St. John’s Regional Medical Center following a direct hit by an EF-5 tornado on Joplin, Missouri May 22, 2011 (AP/Mark Schiefelbein)

One year ago tomorrow, Joplin, Missouri was impacted by a most-feared EF-5 tornado with winds over 200 mph. As if these events are not merciless enough on their face, this one spun up just as it was entering the city on a storm with no previous tornadoes. After laying waste to neighborhoods and lives, it weakened significantly just outside the city limits.

When the early-evening storm was through, and skies began to clear, the devastation left behind by was brutally apparent. 161 people would eventually be confirmed dead, with over 7,000 homes and 500 businesses destroyed, along with other public buildings like schools and hospitals.

Today: Mostly cloudy. Showers early. 50% chance of p.m. showers/storms. 70s. | Tonight: Decreasing shower/storm chances. Low-to-mid 60s. | Tomorrow: Partly to mostly cloudy. 50% chance of mainly p.m. showers/storms. Near 80. | A Look Ahead | Get Express Forecast by E-mail

A somewhat subjective rating of the day’s weather, on a scale of 0 to 10


After our weekend got a 19/20, clouds and showers bring us back to reality. Get the Digit on Twitter| Discuss on Facebook

A weakened Alberto continues to churn off the Southeast coast but will have little impact for us except for sending a little extra moisture our way. Most of our weather this week is due to an upper-level area of low pressure and associated cold front approaching from the west, which together bring us an extended dose of warmth, noticeable humidity, and a daily chance of showers and storms. On the bright side, at least we should make some more dents in our rainfall deficit.

Today (Monday): A round of early showers should dissipate by mid-morning, followed by a 50% chance of afternoon-into-evening showers and thunderstorms. There may be a few peeks of sun or brightening skies in between, but most of the day should be mostly cloudy. The clouds, showers and easterly breezes should tend to keep us from getting too warm. But we could see a a decent spread, with highs from near 70 in the cloudiest spots, to as high as the upper 70s where some sun makes it through. Confidence: Medium

What is the Storm Threat Level?

Tonight: Shower and thunderstorm chances continue, but decrease to around 30% by mid-evening and maybe even lower for the overnight. Otherwise, expect mostly cloudy skies and areas of fog toward morning. Lows dip to the low-to-mid 60s. Confidence: Medium

For related traffic news, check out Dr. Gridlock. Keep reading for the forecast through midweek...

Today: Mostly sunny a.m., increasing p.m. clouds. Mid-70s to low 80s. | Tonight: 50% chance of light showers. Low-to-mid 60s. | Tomorrow: Mostly cloudy. 60% chance of showers/storms. 70s. | A Look Ahead | Get Express Forecast by E-mail

A somewhat subjective rating of the day’s weather, on a scale of 0 to 10


Not much to complain about, but a touch of afternoon mugginess and increasing clouds keep us from perfection. Get the Digit on Twitter| Discuss on Facebook

Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome the first named storm of the 2012 hurricane season, Tropical Storm Alberto. So far his center is forecast to stay well away from us, but that doesn’t mean he won’t affect our weather. The east-to-west (onshore) circulation around the north side of Alberto means increasing clouds and humidity levels here in the D.C. area over the next couple days. By this evening, the threat for showers arrives, too. Warm, unsettled weather with the potential for some thunderstorms stays through midweek.

Today (Sunday): Even though Alberto is well south, its associated onshore flow means increasing afternoon clouds after a mostly sunny morning, and the chance of a few afternoon showers mainly across Southern Maryland. But overall, for most of us it’s a warm and pleasant day with highs near 80 to the low 80s, except for mid-70s along the Chesapeake Bay and in Southern Maryland. Breezes come from the northeast around 10-15 mph. Confidence: Medium-High

Tonight: The center of Alberto edges closer to the South Carolina coast, and the onshore flow to its north keeps us on the humid side. That spells cloudy skies and a 50% chance for some light showers. The clouds and increasingly moist air lead to mild overnight lows in the low-to-mid 60s. Confidence: Medium

For related traffic news, check out Dr. Gridlock. Keep reading for the forecast through midweek...