Capital Weather Gang

D.C. area forecast: A cloudy and cooler weekend with some showers

Dan Stillman — Sat, 18 May 2013 09:00:30 GMT

PM Update: A cloudy, cooler weekend with shower chances mainly Sunday

Jason Samenow — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:48:13 GMT

Clouds:Latest mid-Atlantic infrared satellite shows movement of clouds over past two hours. Refresh page to update. See more maps on our Weather Wall. The work week couldn’t have ended much better with sparkling, warm sunshine. But clouds increase tonight and … Continue reading →

97 percent of scientific studies agree on manmade global warming, so what now?

Jason Samenow — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:35:23 GMT

A new study confirms there is strong scientific consensus that human activities are causing the planet to warm. 97 percent of scientific papers agree, the study finds. This finding serves as a nice talking point for cocktail party conversations, but … Continue reading →

It’s a really bad pollen day

Jason Samenow — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:51:19 GMT

Tree counts are HIGH. Grass counts are HIGH. Mold counts are MODERATE. If you’re sneezing like I am, this should explain a lot. While the tree counts aren’t as bad as they have been, the current concentration is still up … Continue reading →

Atlantic hurricane season 2013: What’s new and what should we expect?

Brian McNoldy — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:55:45 GMT

With this year’s Atlantic hurricane season right around the corner (June 1), I want to offer some updates and refreshers since most people don’t think too much about hurricanes during the winter. I say “most” because there’s a big community … Continue reading →

D.C. area forecast: Friday bright spot before weekend “wedge” of clouds and dampness

A. Camden Walker — Fri, 17 May 2013 09:00:42 GMT

Today’s Daily Digit A somewhat subjective rating of the days weather, on a scale of 1 to 10. 8 Less muggy with comfortable temps. Sweet! What more could I want? No clouds, I guess! Express Forecast Today: Mix of clouds … Continue reading →

PM Update: Absolutely delightful weather Friday

Jason Samenow — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:22:34 GMT

Clouds:Latest mid-Atlantic infrared satellite shows movement of clouds over past two hours. Refresh page to update. See more maps on our Weather Wall. A weak cool front sagged south through the region today, triggering thunderstorms in central Virginia that just … Continue reading →

Spring of 2012 was earliest on record, too early?

Jason Samenow — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:59:14 GMT

The spring of 2012 shattered almost every imaginable record for warmth in the U.S. Trees bloomed and buds burst weeks ahead of schedule. Now scientists who study plant stages and their relationship to climate say it was the earliest spring … Continue reading →

The Northern Hemisphere’s snowy spring

Matt Rogers — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:13:39 GMT

We wrote a lot about April’s unusual cold and snow in parts of North America (here, here, here, here, and here) as well as a bit globally (here), but now we have the actual data from Rutger’s University Global Snow … Continue reading →

Deadly swarm of tornadoes strikes north Texas

Jason Samenow — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:51:10 GMT

Up to 10 tornadoes touched down in north Texas late Wednesday, one of which led to at least 6 deaths and more than 50 injuries in Granbury, about 40 miles southwest of Dallas. Seven people remain unaccounted for according to … Continue reading →

D.C. area forecast: Comfortably warm sprinkled with a thundershower or two

David Streit — Thu, 16 May 2013 09:00:44 GMT

Today’s Daily Digit A somewhat subjective rating of the days weather, on a scale of 1 to 10. 8 Humidity is low on the pain scale and warmth is still a novelty, if only that umbrella wasn’t tagging along. Express … Continue reading →

PM Update: Calm and mild tonight, warm again tomorrow; Pacific hurricane season begins

Ian Livingston — Wed, 15 May 2013 20:35:23 GMT

Temperature Map Temperatures:Latest D.C. area temperature map. See interactive map on our Weather Wall. After some lingering clouds into midday, warm air eventually won the battle most spots. But, the size of the victory was still dependent on exactly where … Continue reading →

Weather Service Sandy assessment emphasizes importance of effective risk communication

Jason Samenow — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:48:39 GMT

A good forecast is only a good forecast if it’s communicated well and leads to a good decision. That’s the smart common thread linking most of the 23 recommendations of the National Weather Service’s assessment of its performance during Hurricane … Continue reading →

Game-changing improvements in the works for U.S. weather prediction

Jason Samenow — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:19:45 GMT

A little known fact is that the source of most weather forecasts delivered on your TV news and smartphones are two supercomputers housed in Reston, Va. and Orlando, Fl. An infusion of funding into the National Weather Service from Hurricane … Continue reading →

D.C. area forecast: Warmth and humidity make a comeback

Ian Livingston — Wed, 15 May 2013 09:00:44 GMT

Today’s Daily Digit A somewhat subjective rating of the days weather, on a scale of 1 to 10. 8 We jump from crisp conditions of early week, to warm and eventually a little humid. Not bad though. Express Forecast Today: … Continue reading →

PM Update: Here comes the warmth; seasonal allergies explained (VIDEO)

Jason Samenow — Tue, 14 May 2013 21:54:40 GMT

Temperature Map Temperatures:Latest D.C. area temperature map. See interactive map on our Weather Wall. Our late season cool snap is in its final hours, and a burst of warm air is poised to invade the region. Today’s highs in the … Continue reading →

Wild temperature swings in central U.S. portend D.C.’s rapid warm-up tomorrow

Jason Samenow — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:12:08 GMT

A warm front sweeping across the nation is responsible for some stunning surges in temperature. Perhaps the most dramatic is occurring today in Sioux City, Iowa where the temperature sky-rocketed from 54 degrees this morning to a sizzling 106 degrees … Continue reading →

Sun fires off third and most powerful flare in 24 hours

Jason Samenow — Tue, 14 May 2013 17:28:27 GMT

Let’s call it a solar flare trifecta. In a day’s time, the sun uncorked three X-class solar flares – all stronger than any others this calendar year. The grand finale, which peaked at 9:11 p.m. EDT Monday night, was the … Continue reading →

The reasoning for hurricane names and their history (keep suggestions to yourself)

Jack Williams — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:53:01 GMT

With the approach of the June 1-November 30 hurricane season, don’t waste time emailing the National Hurricane Center (NHC) pleading for your favorite person’s name to be added to this year’s list of storm names. “I must receive a dozen … Continue reading →

Record lows tied at Dulles and BWI airports, Reagan National just misses

Jason Samenow — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:42:46 GMT

The mercury plunged to freezing at Dulles Airport this morning, tying the record low for the date set in 1996. BWI Airport, which dropped to 34, also tied its record low from that year. Reagan National Airport, whose record low … Continue reading →

D.C. area forecast: Big 40+ degree temperature swing with cool Tuesday and warm Wednesday

Matt Rogers — Tue, 14 May 2013 09:00:46 GMT

Today’s Daily Digit A somewhat subjective rating of the days weather, on a scale of 1 to 10. 8 I am embracing this refreshingly cool air and remembering June is less than three weeks away. Express Forecast Today: Partly sunny. … Continue reading →

PM Update: Frost and freeze concerns for some overnight, but rather beautiful on Tuesday

Ian Livingston — Mon, 13 May 2013 21:00:53 GMT

*Frost Advisory tonight for north and west suburbs* Temperature Map Temperatures:Latest D.C. area temperature map. See interactive map on our Weather Wall. Now that average highs are in the mid-70s, there’s no way around a day with a breeze and … Continue reading →

Frost advisory for some areas west of D.C. overnight, freeze warning for 1-81 corridor

Jason Samenow — Mon, 13 May 2013 19:38:47 GMT

The National Weather Service has issued frost advisories for Frederick (Md.), Fauquier and Loudoun counties due to temperatures forecast to drop into the mid-30s late tonight and Tuesday morning. Further west, along the 1-81 corridor, including Hagerstown, Martinsburg, and Winchester, … Continue reading →

Sun unloads two strongest solar flares of 2013 in last 24 hours

Jason Samenow — Mon, 13 May 2013 19:16:46 GMT

Both yesterday and today, the sun belted out X-class solar flares, the most intense type of flare. No flares thus far this calendar year have matched their strength. Sunday’s flare was rated X1.7 according to NASA. Today’s flare – even … Continue reading →

Lake ice avalanche crashes into homes in Minnesota (VIDEO)

Jason Samenow — Mon, 13 May 2013 16:14:31 GMT

Strong winds slammed a massive sheet of thawing ice on a Minnesota lake onto land Saturday, damaging houses and boats. “I have seen many things in 30 years of forecasting weather in Minnesota,” writes Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) meteorologist Paul … Continue reading →