Capital Weather Gang - DC area weather blog, news - May 25, 2008

Update: Storm Threat Shifting South

*Tornado Watch lifted for immediate metro area* *New Tornado Watch in effect until 9 p.m. for southern suburbs (Prince William, Fauquier and Stafford counties) and central and southern Virginia.* A satellite image of the thunderstorm complex over the metro area (and several to the southwest) at 2:45 p.m. Courtesy NASA....

By Jason Samenow | May 31, 2008; 3:23 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (30)
Categories: Thunderstorms, Updates
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Tornado Watch Issued; Storm Threat Until Evening

It may not rain everywhere, but some storms severe ALERTS 2:50 p.m.: Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for much of the immediate metro area until 3:45 p.m. Heaviest storms in southern Fairfax County headed into southern Prince Georges and Charles counties. 2:30 p.m. Severe Thunderstorm Warning in effect for parts of...

By Dan Stillman | May 31, 2008; 10:30 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (55)
Categories: Alerts
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NOAA: Moderate Risk of Severe Thunderstorms

NOAA's Storm Prediction Center has upgraded the storm threat from slight to moderate today. A moderate risk indicates a potential for a greater concentration of severe thunderstorms than the slight risk, and in most situations, greater magnitude of the severe weather. It is fairly unusual for our area to be...

By Jason Samenow | May 31, 2008; 8:11 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (10)
Categories: Thunderstorms
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Forecast: Stage Set for Strong Storms

Sunnier and drier Sunday The ingredients are in place for strong to severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. But not everyone will experience them, and they'll only last for a brief time where and when they occur. In other words, go about your outdoor plans but keep a close watch...

By Jason Samenow | May 31, 2008; 8:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Forecasts
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CommuteCast: Setting the Stage for Saturday

Humidity levels rising; Severe weather tomorrow? The work week comes to a close on a partly to mostly sunny, warm and increasingly humid note today. High temperatures are now reaching the low 80s across the area as a southerly breeze stiffens, bringing with it higher dew points, and setting the...

By Ian Livingston | May 30, 2008; 3:15 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Forecasts
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Severe Weather Risk More than Slight

The D.C. area is under a "slight risk" for severe thunderstorms tomorrow. That's not as insignificant as it may sound. Graphic courtesy the Storm Prediction Center. The D.C. area is under a "slight risk" for severe thunderstorms tomorrow, and I don't like it one bit. It's not that I'm averse...

By Dan Stillman | May 30, 2008; 10:30 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (18)
Categories: Thunderstorms
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Forecast: Stormy Saturday? Otherwise Nice

Other than the showers and storms that may impact our Saturday afternoon, late spring will be very kind to us through the weekend and beyond. Temperatures will be a little higher than we've recently experienced, but at least humidity levels won't become too noticeable, except in the juicy air that...

By Camden Walker | May 30, 2008; 5:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Forecasts
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Photography: Weather for the Frogs?

A frog peers out from a flooded yard. Heavy rain and storms a couple weeks ago may have caused some inconveniences with our spring activities, but the wildlife in our area seems to be adapting just fine to the wet weather. Keep reading for more photos and commentary. See our...

By Kevin Ambrose | May 29, 2008; 6:50 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Photography
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CommuteCast: Delightful Weather Continues

Warmer and mostly sunny Friday; severe storms Saturday? Webcam: Latest view of D.C. from the Netherlands Carillon at Arlington National Cemetery. Courtesy National Park Service. A beautiful Thursday has shaped up across the region as temperatures rise to highs in the upper 70s in most places and a few 80-degree...

By Ian Livingston | May 29, 2008; 3:15 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Forecasts
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Bulletin: Major Storm Threatens Planet

A tremendously intense and extraordinarily large storm continues to develop, threatening the planet with winds approaching 400 mph, about 2.5 times the 156 mph threshold that would make it a Category 5 hurricane. The storm's dramatic evolution began with the unprecedented merger of three smaller storms. Scientists are baffled as...

By Steve Tracton | May 29, 2008; 11:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (10)
Categories: Science, Tracton
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Forecast: Warming Up ... to a Severe Saturday?

Potential for strong storms on Saturday bears watching High pressure firmly overhead will allow for milder temperatures today and tomorrow along with plenty of sunshine. However, by Saturday morning, a cold front will approach the region from the north and west. This system has the potential to spawn some strong...

By Josh Larson | May 29, 2008; 5:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (19)
Categories: Forecasts
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Weatherman Van de Graaf Plays Manilow

ABC-7 Forecaster Brian van de Graaf impersonates Barry Manilow last week... [Courtesy DCRTV.]...

By Jason Samenow | May 28, 2008; 7:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Media
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CommuteCast: Cool, Clear and Pleasant

Near-average warmth returns Thursday Current D.C. area temperatures, courtesy Weather Bonk. Map by Google. Refresh page to update. Hover over and click temperatures for more info. Click and hold on map to pan. Morning clouds have given way to increasing sunshine across the area as temperatures rise through the upper...

By Ian Livingston | May 28, 2008; 3:15 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Forecasts
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Capital Weather Gang's 2008 Summer Outlook

It's almost June, and those hazy, hot, humid days are just around the corner. Alas, our 2008 summer outlook is here. The task of doing a summer outlook is no easy one. First, with few exceptions, summer in the D.C. area is mainly hot. Does Joe Public really care if...

By Matt Ross | May 28, 2008; 10:30 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (9)
Categories: Capital Weather Gang, Local Climate
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Forecast: Cool Day Begins Sunny Stretch

Say it ain't so! ... back to sub-par weekends? Remember, back before that beautiful holiday weekend of ours, when the repeating pattern was lovely mid-to-late-week weather followed by increasing clouds and rain chances over the weekend. Uh, yeah. It's ba-a-a-a-ck. TODAY Becoming mostly sunny. Upper 60s to near 70. Our...

By Dan Stillman | May 28, 2008; 5:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Forecasts
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CommuteCast: Showers and Some Thunder

Becoming sunny and cool for Wednesday Radar: Latest D.C. area radar loop and light-ning strikes (key) from Weather Underground. Click here to zoom. Refresh page to update. Humidity levels are up today as a cold front approaches the region. With only a few breaks of sunshine, high temperatures have reached...

By Ian Livingston | May 27, 2008; 3:15 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Forecasts
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How Many 90 Degree Days This Summer?

In recent decades, Reagan National Airport has averaged about 31 90+ degree days during June, July, and August. That's about one every three days. Dulles and BWI Airports have averaged 24 and 25 such days, respectively. Before our summer outlook comes out tomorrow, let us know how many 90+ degree...

By Jason Samenow | May 27, 2008; 12:35 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (16)
Categories: Local Climate
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More on NOAA's Summer Outlook

Last week, I wrote about how the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center's (CPC) summer outlook could be more transparent. Specifically, I criticized CPC's outlook map, which paints the metro area in orange -- suggesting HOT -- whereas its own probabilities suggest a 60% or better chance...

By Jason Samenow | May 27, 2008; 10:30 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Local Climate
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Forecast: Return to Rainy Reality

You knew we were due. After one of the best Memorial Day Weekends in recent memory, the return of a wet day was inevitable. And it looks to be today. Expect showers and thunderstorms through the day preceding a late afternoon cold front. There is a slight risk for severe...

By Matt Rogers | May 27, 2008; 5:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Forecasts
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Freedman: Becoming Reaquainted with the Sky

Last week I was reminded of something lofty that I had neglected during a year of graduate school study in global climate change policy: clouds. By clouds I'm not speaking of the question of how global climate models represent future changes in cloud cover due to warming, which is a...

By Andrew Freedman | May 26, 2008; 12:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Freedman
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Forecast: A Taste of Summer

Finally, 2008 brings the heat. For the first time this year, temperatures should rise above 85. The heat won't last long and it won't be humid, so it's too early to consider it the start of summer. Weather more characteristic of spring returns for the middle part of the...

By Jason Samenow | May 26, 2008; 5:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Forecasts
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NatCast: Brewing up the Heat

Nationals vs. Brewers
Today, 1:35 p.m., Nationals Park

First Pitch	9th Inning	Weather	Chance of Rain
83F	86F	Sunny	0%

The last weekday day game of the season will be the hottest. With temperatures in the mid 80s and a strong sun, drink a lot of water and wear sunscreen.

NatCast appears on the day of every Nationals home game. Also, see our full forecast through the holiday weekend and beyond.

By Jason Samenow | May 26, 2008; 5:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: NatCast
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Deadly Tornadoes in Upper Midwest

Associated Press reports seven dead in northeast Iowa. Eight convective watches (five tornado and three severe thunderstorm) remain in effect mainly in the Midwest....

By Jason Samenow | May 25, 2008; 11:03 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: U.S. Weather
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Forecast: Sunshine Galore

By Brian Jackson Fantastic weather is in the offing for the rest of this long weekend. We'll see more than our fair share of sun today and tomorrow with temperatures today in the mid to upper 70s, rising to the 80s for your Memorial Day cookout. Showers and thunderstorms return...

By Brian Jackson | May 25, 2008; 5:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Forecasts
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NatCast: Spectacular Sunshine