2009 Washington Area Weather Calendar

* How Low Does the Temperature Go? Full Forecast *

Front cover of the 2009 Washington Area Weather Calendar.

For the third year in a row, I've published a calendar featuring my Washington area weather photography. This year, I've included information on historic D.C. area weather events, such as the Knickerbocker Snowstorm of 1922 and Hurricane Isabel in 2003. A small number of calendars are currently available for purchase on my Web site, www.weatherbook.com.

Keep reading to see the photos included in the calendar, and an explanation of how I selected them....

Here's a quick rundown of the criteria I use: I want recent photos, preferably from the previous year, but sometimes going back a few years. In addition, I want the photos to have a recognizable D.C. area landmark. I also try to include photos of certain categories -- snow, thunderstorm/lightning, sunrise/sunset, a cherry blossom picture for March or April, a fireworks shot for July (not really weather, but this is the nation's capital after all), and one or two fall foliage pics. Also, I always try to represent a major event from the previous year, such as Tropical Storm Hanna or the lunar eclipse.

Even using these criteria as a guide, I often flip-flop with my selections. I know that I can't please everyone. Some people, such as myself, would be quite happy with just snow and thunderstorm photos. Other people want to see blue skies and sun. I try to find a good mix. See below for the photos (and associated captions) that appear in the 2009 calendar...

January: Jefferson Memorial with snow and a frozen Tidal Basin, January 31, 2005.

February: Clear skies for the lunar eclipse, February 20, 2008.

March: Fog and drizzle at the Jefferson Memorial as cherry blossoms reach peak bloom, March 31, 2008.

April: Spring snow at the Capitol, April 7, 2007.

May: Lightning strikes behind the Washington Monument, May 21, 2004.

June: Jefferson Memorial with lightning, June 22, 2008.

July: Fireworks over the Marine Corps War Memorial, July 4, 2008.

August: A windmill in Colonial Williamsburg on a beautiful summer morning, August 12, 2008.

September: The sunset from Tropical Storm Hanna at the Manassas Battlefield Park, September 6, 2008.

October: Great Falls with autumn color, October 31, 2005.

November: Mount Vernon in autumn, November 8, 2008.

December: The Capitol during a snowstorm, December 5, 2007.