Capital Weather Gang: June 22, 2008 - June 28, 2008

Update: Evening Showers and Storms

An area of showers and thunderstorms now approaching the far northern and western suburbs is on track to move through the metro area from west to east over the next few hours, likely impacting the close-in suburbs and downtown area during the 7:30-9:30 p.m. timeframe. Most activity should move off...

By Dan Stillman  | June 28, 2008; 6:50 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (31)
Categories:  Updates  
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Fourth of July Outlook

Independence Day is now less than a week away. How's it looking??? As of now, most current guidance suggests it will be a very nice, summery day. High pressure overhead should suppress most thunderstorm activity and high humidity may hold off until the weekend. Here's an early glance at...

By Jason Samenow  | June 28, 2008; 4:00 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (5)
Categories:  Fourth of July  
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D.C. Not the Only City Sweating it Out

Washington isn't alone when it comes to sweaty weather. In fact, it's pretty far from the top -- No. 48 -- according to Old Spice's annual ranking of America's sweatiest cities. Yeah, I know... kind of hard to believe for those of you pouring with sweat from just the short...

By Dan Stillman  | June 28, 2008; 12:00 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (7)
Categories:  Local Climate  
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Forecast: Sticky and Stormy

All but five days this June have been warmer than average and on nearly half the days we've had thunderstorms. So no one should be surprised by a forecast that features heat and possible storms as we close out the month. July, fortunately, will begin on a cooler and...

By Jason Samenow  | June 28, 2008; 5:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (6)
Categories:  Forecasts  
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NatCast: Very Warm; Early-Inning Storm?

Nationals vs. OriolesTonight, 7:10 p.m., Nationals Park First Pitch9th InningWeatherChance of Rain91F84FPartly Cloudy, T'storm?30% Like last night, a brief thunderstorm could cause a delay -- particularly in the early innings. But more likely, it will just be another muggy summer evening.   NatCast appears on the day of every...

By Jason Samenow  | June 28, 2008; 5:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (1)
Categories:  NatCast  
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CommuteCast: Isolated Storms Possible

Hot, humid, more storm chances on Saturday *Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 8 p.m.* 5:15 PM Update: Strong storms currently in Montgomery and Loudoun counties will push southeastward into parts of Fairfax County, the District and Prince George's County in the next hour. Gusty winds and heavy rains will likely accompany...

By Ian Livingston  | June 27, 2008; 5:15 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (14)
Categories:  Forecasts  
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Alert: Severe Thunderstorm Watch Until 8 P.M.

As temperatures climb through the low 90s this early afternoon, and the heat index into the mid 90s, the National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for the metro area, in effect until 8 p.m. NWS says: HAIL TO 2 INCHES IN DIAMETER...THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS TO 70 MPH...AND...

By Capital Weather Gang  | June 27, 2008; 1:00 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (23)
Categories:  Alerts  
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North Pole Ice Could Briefly Disappear

Scientists say there's a 50-50 chance that, for the first time in human history, the North Pole will go ice-free for a time this summer. Here's a short summary from FOXNews.com, and a more in-depth story from The Independent. Also note our own Andrew Freedman wrote extensively about the dwindling...

By Dan Stillman  | June 27, 2008; 10:45 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Climate Change  
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Forecast: That Summer Feel & Sound (Thunder!)

It will be hot and stormy over the next few days. Strong to severe storms are possible Saturday and Sunday along with heat indices around 100 Saturday. Notice how we are approaching mid-summer and mid 90s don't seem to stir up media attention? It will be hot but I bet...

By Camden Walker  | June 27, 2008; 5:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Forecasts  
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Natcast: A Little Toasty, Muggy, T'storm?

Nationals vs. Orioles
Tonight, 7:35 p.m., Nationals Park

First Pitch	9th Inning	Weather	Chance of Rain
90F	81F	Partly Cloudy, T'storm?	20%

Warm temperatures should make the evening a little sweaty. And watch for a thunderstorm possible near the beginning of the game.

By Camden Walker  | June 27, 2008; 5:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  NatCast  
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CommuteCast: Return of the 90s

More hot and humid conditions Friday 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. Right on cue, the heat and humidity of summer has returned to the area today....

By Ian Livingston  | June 26, 2008; 3:15 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
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Photoshopping the Weather

Is this photograph fake or real? Credit: Unknown. Fake or real? As pointed out by PBS, it's a question being asked about more and more pictures in this age of digital photography and advanced image editing software, such as Adobe Photoshop. It turns out that weather photos are often the...

By Steve Tracton  | June 26, 2008; 1:00 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Photography, Tracton  
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Independence Day Indicators

Does it seem like there's always rain on the 4th of July? The answer is practically yes in recent years. During three of the last four years we've had rain, and in each case thunderstorms during the 5 p.m. hour. Those storms were no doubt a nuisance for barbecues...

By Jason Samenow  | June 26, 2008; 10:45 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Fourth of July, Local Climate  
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Forecast: Hello Again to Heat and Humidity

Thunderstorms possible, especially this weekend Don't let the past few days of seasonable heat and humidity fool you: Temperatures will shoot up into the 90s today along with a palpable increase in humidity as high pressure moves offshore and allows for a steamy southerly flow. This setup will hold through...

By Josh Larson  | June 26, 2008; 5:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Forecasts  
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The Weather Channel's Changing Face

A video tribute to the changing look and slogans of the Weather Channel, from its debut in 1982 to the HD days of 2008....

By Dan Stillman  | June 25, 2008; 7:00 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (5)
Categories:  Media  
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CommuteCast: Another Pleasant Evening

Hot Thursday with a risk of storms late Warm temperatures continue today with low (but rising) humidity levels. Highs are now reaching the mid and upper 80s across the region under partly sunny skies. Expect temperatures to fall back through the mid and low 80s throughout the evening -- it...

By Ian Livingston  | June 25, 2008; 3:15 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
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Lightning Myths Revealed

Wx and the City Lightning strikes in the nation's capital last summer. By Capital Weather Gang photographer Kevin Ambrose. By Ann Posegate, Guest Contributor For 50,000 points, here is this week's Lightning Safety Week question: By which number must you divide after counting the seconds between the "flash" of lightning...

By Capital Weather Gang  | June 25, 2008; 10:45 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Posegate, Thunderstorms, Wx and the City  
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Forecast: Umbrella-Free for One More Day

Heat, humidity and storm chances return tomorrow Be honest now. How many of you grabbed your umbrella by reflex this morning? It's nothing to be ashamed of after what seems like an endless series of summer storm chances, most of which have panned out, and then some. But for the...

By Dan Stillman  | June 25, 2008; 5:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (6)
Categories:  Forecasts  
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NatCast: No Complaints

Nationals vs. Angels
Tonight, 7:10 p.m., Nationals Park

First Pitch	9th Inning	Weather	Chance of Rain
85F	80F	Toasty Comfort	10%

Warm but comfortable temperatures, and only a bit in the way of humidity, should make for a more-than-decent night at the ballpark.

By Dan Stillman  | June 25, 2008; 5:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  NatCast  
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CommuteCast: An Evening Without Storms

Beautiful summertime conditions again tomorrow Webcam: Latest view of D.C. from the Netherlands Carillon at Arlington National Cemetery. Courtesy National Park Service. Sick of all the thunderstorms recently? Today is your day! Crystal clear skies (with occasional passing fair-weather cumulus clouds), low humidity, and a breeze from the northwest have...

By Ian Livingston  | June 24, 2008; 3:15 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (5)
Categories:  Forecasts  
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Photography: D.C.'s Double Rainbow Connection

From Old Town, Alexandria, Va.: Capital Weather Gang visitor Alex produced this stunning composition. See full size. Between 7:00 and 7:30 p.m. yesterday evening, many area residents gazing at the sky caught sight of a full, towering double rainbow. In addition to the amazing shot above, keep reading to see...

By Jason Samenow  | June 24, 2008; 12:15 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (13)
Categories:  Photography  
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Freedman: Increasingly Going to Extremes

As a swollen Mississippi River breached levees last week, the U.S. Climate Change Science Program released a report that warned of more heavy precipitation events and associated flooding in the coming years due to global climate change. The report, entitled "Weather and Climate Extremes in a Changing Climate," is possibly...

By Andrew Freedman  | June 24, 2008; 10:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (41)
Categories:  Climate Change, Floods, Freedman  
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Forecast: Humidity's Humble Hiatus

The oft-hated humidity, the source of our heated discomfort and ever-present storminess, will be taking a brief departure today and tomorrow. Since the summer has barely begun, we can hardly tell it 'good riddance' though and indeed, it should be back in our forecast picture as early as Thursday and...

By Matt Rogers  | June 24, 2008; 5:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (8)
Categories:  Forecasts  
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NatCast: Better Weather

Nationals vs. Angels
Tonight, 7:10 p.m., Nationals Park

First Pitch	9th Inning	Weather	Chance of Rain
82F	74F	Pleasant	20%

Very low, low chance of isolated storms here tonight. Low humidities should make for a pleasant game night for a change!

By Matt Rogers  | June 24, 2008; 5:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (1)
Categories:  NatCast  
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Storms Winding Down

*Severe Thunderstorm Watch canceled. ALERTS 10:45 PM: Thunderstorms are now weakening as they head east through southeast Montgomery County and northern Prince George's County towards Anne Arundel County. This should be the last of the storms, with gradual clearing and cooler air filtering in overnight. Refresh the page to update...

By Ian Livingston  | June 23, 2008; 11:00 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (44)
Categories:  Forecasts  
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Goodbye to the Hippy Dippy Weatherman

George Carlin passed away last night at the age of 71. One of his more well-known bits was a skit featuring a fictional weather forecaster named "Al Sleet," who issued insightful predictions such as, "Weather forecast for tonight: Dark. Continued dark overnight, with widely scattered light by morning." Watch the...

By Dan Stillman  | June 23, 2008; 12:00 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (9)
Categories:  Humor  
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Photography: Air Force Memorial Lightning

A thunderstorm develops west of the Air Force Memorial Sunday Evening. A quick storm chase Sunday evening produced one of my more interesting lightning photos. The above photo shows a developing, but short-lived thunderstorm that developed over eastern Fairfax County, west of the Air Force Memorial. The Air Force Memorial...

By Kevin Ambrose  | June 23, 2008; 10:30 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (3)
Categories:  Photography  
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Forecast: Another Day, Another Storm Threat

Here "the year of the D.C. thunderstorm" goes again. For the third straight day, storms are in the forecast. Fortunately storm chances diminish tomorrow and evaporate Wednesday. But Thursday through at least Saturday, they're back, back again. Going along with thunderstorm chances, it will generally be warm and humid,...

By Jason Samenow  | June 23, 2008; 5:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (11)
Categories:  Forecasts  
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NatCast: Storms May Strike or Strike Out

Nationals vs. Angels
Tonight, 7:10 p.m., Nationals Park

First Pitch	9th Inning	Weather	Chance of Rain
82F	77F	Storm Threat	40%

Thunderstorms could cause a rain delay, but rain of sufficient duration for postponement isn't likely. It's possible storms come through before the game or even miss. Aside from any storms, it will be a typically muggy summer evening.

By Jason Samenow  | June 23, 2008; 5:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  NatCast  
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Update: Strong Storms Affecting Metro Area

Severe Thunderstorm Watch in Effect until 11 p.m. 10:30 p.m. update: The severe thunderstorm warning for the cell in Fairfax County has been discontinued as the storm has weakened. The storm will still continue tracking on a path through northwest D.C., Montgomery and northwest PG county in the next 45...

By Jason Samenow  | June 22, 2008; 10:30 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (34)
Categories:  Updates  
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Alert: Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued

4:30 p.m. update: Lines of storms have developed to the west and southwest. These may affect the metro area, especially after about 5:30 p.m. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for the metro area until 8:00 p.m. tonight. According to SPC: HAIL TO 2 INCHES...

By Jason Samenow  | June 22, 2008; 4:30 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (16)
Categories:  Alerts  
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Photography: Saturday's Severe Storm

A plane approaching National Airport passes in front of a severe thunderstorm at 8:15 p.m. On Saturday evening, environmental conditions perfectly aligned for the development of isolated severe storms that impacted parts of the metro area. An outflow boundary, a "mini" cold front that formed from the spreading of thunderstorm-cooled...

By Ian Livingston  | June 22, 2008; 11:45 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (9)
Categories:  Photography, Recaps, Thunderstorms  
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Test new severe coverage

Record high temperatures set at all local airports * Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 8 p.m. * * Beyond the BP spill | June heat threatens D.C. record * * Outside now? Radar, lightning, temps & more: Weather Wall * new TWTR.Widget({ version: 2, type: 'profile', rpp: 4, interval: 6000, width:...

By Dan Stillman  | June 22, 2008; 11:37 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
 
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Forecast: Summertime Storms Stick Around

By Brian Jackson Storms are in the forecast again today as somewhat warm and humid conditions clash with an approaching cold front. The chance of storms continues into Monday and diminishes Monday night. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the storms take a hiatus. Both days should be sunny and pleasant, with...

By Brian Jackson  | June 22, 2008; 5:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (9)
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UnitedCast: Storms Threaten Yet Again

United vs. San Jose Earthquakes
Today, 3:00 p.m., RFK Stadium

Kickoff	Final Whistle	Weather	Chance of Rain
84F	82F	Partly cloudy, storm risk	50%

Practically every DC United home game this season has included the chance of rain and today will be no exception. There's a 50/50 chance of storms, with the best chance late in the game. Otherwise, expect warm and humid conditions in the 80s.

By Jason Samenow  | June 22, 2008; 5:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  UnitedCast  
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NatCast: Storm Dodging

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

First Pitch	9th Inning	Weather	Chance of Rain
83F	84F	Partly cloudy, t'storm?	30%

A thunderstorm is possible, but most likely in the late innings or after the game. Otherwise, it will be warm and somewhat humid, with temperatures in the low to mid 80s.

By Jason Samenow  | June 22, 2008; 5:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  NatCast  
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