Capital Weather Gang - DC area weather blog, news - April 19, 2009

Forecast: Spring Heat Wave is Sprung

* Making Severe Weather Less Scary For Kids * EXPRESS FORECAST Today: Mostly sunny, isolated p.m. storms. 88-92. | Tonight: Partly cloudy. 58-64. | Tomorrow: Mostly sunny. 88-92. | A Look Ahead FORECAST IN DETAIL The warmest hottest weather of 2009 to date - by a long shot -- arrives...

By Jason Samenow | April 25, 2009; 2:45 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (30)
Categories: Forecasts
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PM Update: Here Comes the Summer-like Heat

Weekend to bring temperatures in the 80s to near 90 * Making Severe Weather Less Scary for Kids * After a frosty start in some suburbs, temperatures have climbed between 30 and 40 degrees off morning lows, to highs mostly in the mid-to-upper 70s this afternoon. A light south wind...

By Ian Livingston | April 24, 2009; 3:25 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Forecasts
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Making Severe Weather Less Scary for Kids

Wx and the City * How Hot This Weekend? Full Forecast | Niagara Falls in Spring * Thunder, lightning, tornadoes and other kinds of severe weather can put adults on edge... and can be downright scary for kids. A better understanding of the science behind severe weather and how to...

By Ann Posegate | April 24, 2009; 11:45 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Education, Posegate, Wx and the City
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Forecast: Temperatures On Their Way...Way Up

Sunny, summery weather builds this weekend * NWS Media Day | Niagara Falls in Spring * EXPRESS FORECAST Today: Chilly start; then warmer. 72-76. | Tonight: Quite mild. Near 60. | Tomorrow: Sunny & very warm. Mid-to-upper 80s. | Saturday night: Mostly clear; very mild. Mid-60s. | Sunday: Mostly sunny...

By Josh Larson | April 24, 2009; 11:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Forecasts
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PM Update: Chilly Night, Then Warm and Warmer

70s Friday with 80s (and higher?) this weekend Frost Advisory from 2 a.m. until 8 a.m. for far western suburbs * Climate Change Chat | NWS Media Day | Niagara Falls in Spring * Today began the transition from unsettled and chilly to dry and summery, and many locations will...

By Ian Livingston | April 23, 2009; 3:15 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Forecasts
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Photos: Early Spring at Niagara Falls, New York

* Full Forecast: Here Comes Some Heat | NWS Media Day * A strange object (lower right) points toward the falls and stands its ground. I found myself in Buffalo for Easter this year and was given the chance to visit -- a first for me -- Niagara Falls. The...

By Ian Livingston | April 23, 2009; 1:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Photography
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National Weather Service Media Day

* Full Forecast: 80s on the Way | Climate Change Chat * Group photo from media day at the National Weather Service's Sterling forecast office, April 21, 2009. In attendance were on-air meteorologists from D.C., Baltimore, Charlottesville and Winchester. Also included were NWS meteorologists and myself, representing the Capital Weather...

By Kevin Ambrose | April 23, 2009; 10:45 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Media, Photography
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Forecast: Warmer Today, 80s on the Way!

A great streak of sunny, ever-warmer weather is here * Weather-Environment Connection | Climate Change Chat * EXPRESS FORECAST Today: Sunny, windy & warmer. Mid-60s. | Tonight: Clear and breezy. Upper 30s to mid-40s. | Tomorrow: Sunny and mild. Mid-70s. | Saturday: Partly to mostly sunny and very warm. Mid-80s!...

By Camden Walker | April 23, 2009; 8:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Forecasts
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PM Update: Stormy Pattern on the Way Out

Mostly sunny and warmer on Thursday * Weather & Environment | Climate Chat | NatCast | UnitedCast * Many places have seen showers or thundershowers containing small hail this morning into the afternoon, largely thanks to a cold pool of air passing overhead. Temperatures have been in the chilly 40s...

By Ian Livingston | April 22, 2009; 3:15 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (9)
Categories: Forecasts
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No Separating Weather From the Environment

* Full Forecast | NatCast | UnitedCast | Changes in Hurricane Scale * * Live Chat on Climate Change w/ CWG's Andrew Freedman (11 AM) * Weather and the environment are inextricably connected, yet often seen as separate. Weather is part of our environment -- really, there's no separating the...

By Ann Posegate | April 22, 2009; 10:45 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Environment, Posegate
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Forecast: Cool Showers, But Warmth Edges Closer

Sun and 80s by the weekend * NatCast: Wet again? | UnitedCast | Changes in Hurricane Scale * * Later, in Honor of Earth Day: Weather and the Environment, and Andrew Freedman Live Chat on Climate Change (11 a.m.) * EXPRESS FORECAST Today: Partly to mostly cloudy, 40% chance of...

By Jason Samenow | April 22, 2009; 10:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (21)
Categories: Forecasts
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UnitedCast: Brisk But Probably Dry

* Our Full Forecast | Weather Wall | Soccer Insider * United vs. DallasWednesday, April 22, 7:30 p.m., RFK Stadium KickoffFinal WhistleWeatherChance of Rain55F51FMostly cloudy25%There's just about a 1 in 4 chance a shower impacts the game, and if it happens, it won't last long. As the game wears on,...

By Jason Samenow | April 22, 2009; 5:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: UnitedCast
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NatCast: Chilly, Shower Chance Slim

* Our Full Forecast | Weather Wall | Nationals Journal * Nationals vs. BravesWednesday, April 22, 7:05 p.m., Nationals Park First Pitch9th InningWeatherChance of Rain56F52FMostly cloudy30%Any shower activity, which will be less widespread than yesterday, should diminish early on. But it will be quite brisk, so dress warmly. NatCast...

By Jason Samenow | April 22, 2009; 5:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: NatCast
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Storms End, Turning Cooler

The showers and thunderstorms have exited the metro region and are crossing the Chesapeake Bay. Some spotty severe impacts were reported -- including penny to quarter-sized hail in Fairfax and Montgomery counties and some wind damage in Charles County (Port Tobacco) from downed trees. For the outlook for the rest...

By Jason Samenow | April 21, 2009; 8:06 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Updates
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Strong Storms Rumbling through Region

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning in effect for extreme eastern Fairfax county, eastern Alexandria, Arlington, Washington, D.C., Eastern Montgomery, Howard, central and southern Prince George's and Charles counties until 7:00-7:15 p.m.; and for southern Anne Arundel, Calvert and St. Mary's counties until 7:30 p.m. | Special Marine Warning for large section...

By Jason Samenow | April 21, 2009; 6:17 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (8)
Categories: Updates
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PM Update: Scattered Storms Before Cool Night

Cooler tomorrow, more showers? Warm weekend ahead * Hurricane Scale Faces Revisions | NatCast: Shower/Storm? * Compared to yesterday's rain and all-day cloudiness, today was quite pleasant through mid-afternoon, as a fair amount of sun helped temperatures rise to highs in the mid-and-upper 60s. Scattered showers and thunderstorms, a few...

By Ian Livingston | April 21, 2009; 3:15 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (23)
Categories: Forecasts
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Hurricane Scale Faces Revisions

* Late-Day Storms? Full Forecast | NatCast * The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. Courtesy National Weather Service. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale, which classifies hurricanes in categories between 1 and 5 based on intensity, is under revision. Popularly considered a "catch-all" scale for the potential impact of a storm, hurricane forecasters at...

By Jason Samenow | April 21, 2009; 10:30 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Tropical Weather
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Forecast: Variable Week; Wonderful Weekend

* NatCast: Some Storms? | Social Science and Climate * * Later: Hurricane Scale Changes Coming? * EXPRESS FORECAST Today: Partly cloudy. P.M. showers & storms (40% chance). 65-69. Tonight: Showers & storms (60% chance). 44-49. | Tomorrow: Clouds, light showers? 59-63. | A Look Ahead FORECAST IN DETAIL The...

By Matt Rogers | April 21, 2009; 10:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Forecasts
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NatCast: Some Storms to Brave?

* Our Full Forecast | Weather Wall | Nationals Journal * Nationals vs. BravesTuesday April 21, 7:05 p.m., Nationals Park First Pitch9th InningWeatherChance of Rain65F57FShowers/storms40%No steady rains here. Just scattered activity which could trigger a game delay. Temperatures will cool down though, so bring a jacket. NatCast appears on...

By Matt Rogers | April 21, 2009; 5:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: NatCast
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PM Update: Evening Showers & Thunder

Some sun Tuesday with a chance of afternoon showers * Social Science Uncovering New Climate Angles | NatCast: Rainout? * After morning rains and an afternoon lull, strong to severe storms are possible this evening. The primary risks here are gusty winds and small hail, though a fairly high risk...

By Ian Livingston | April 20, 2009; 10:10 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (19)
Categories: Forecasts
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Social Science Uncovering New Climate Angles

* Rainy Start to Week: Full Forecast * Every time I am asked if I "believe in global warming," I am reminded of the communications challenge that faces us when confronted with complex issues such as climate change. As detailed in this week's cover story in the New York Times...

By Andrew Freedman | April 20, 2009; 10:30 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (18)
Categories: Climate Change, Freedman, Media, News & Notes, Science
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Forecast: A Rainy Day. Then Evening T-Storms?

Weather rallies after wet start to week * NatCast | CWG Talks to Hurricane Center Director * EXPRESS FORECAST Today: Morning rain. Precipitation lighter & more intermittent in the afternoon? Breezy at times & overcast. Mid-to-upper 50s. | Tonight: A round of heavier showers and thunderstorms early? Decreasing chances of...

By Dan Stillman | April 20, 2009; 5:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (11)
Categories: Forecasts
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NatCast: Not So Nice. Thunderstorm?

* Our Full Forecast | Weather Wall | Nationals Journal * Nationals vs. BravesMonday April 20, 7:05 p.m., Nationals Park First Pitch9th InningWeatherChance of Rain56F56FShowers; T-storm?60%Some on and off showers are possible, and a thunderstorm could roll through as well (40% chance). The cool, showery and potentially stormy conditions won't...

By Dan Stillman | April 20, 2009; 5:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Forecasts, NatCast
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Forecast: Clouds Creep in, Then the Rain

* NatCast: Late Inning Showers? * EXPRESS FORECAST Today: Mostly cloudy, chance of late afternoon rain. 63-67 | Tonight: Rain likely. 47-50. | Tomorrow: Showers, afternoon t'storm? 55-58. | A Look Ahead FORECAST IN DETAIL I hope everyone enjoyed yesterday's rays as it looks to be the last significant sun...

By Brian Jackson | April 19, 2009; 3:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Forecasts
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NatCast: Late Inning Showers?

* Our Full Forecast | Weather Wall | Nationals Journal * Nationals vs. MarlinsSunday April 19, 1:35 p.m., Nationals ParkFirst Pitch9th InningWeatherChance of Rain65F67FMostly Cloudy30%You won't need to worry about sunburn but instead a slight (30%) chance showers in the last few innings. Temperatures will be comfortable -- in the...

By Jason Samenow | April 19, 2009; 5:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: NatCast
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Capital Weather Gang: April 19, 2009 - April 25, 2009