Capital Weather Gang - DC area weather blog, news - July 4, 2010

Forecast: Showers end, then hot but less humid

The rain we get today is unlikely to either satisfy parched lawns or put a serious dent in the drought. Then we slowly dry out, but characteristic summertime heat sticks around. At least we'll get a semi-reprieve from the humidity on Sunday and Monday. The mugginess starts to build back into the region towards the middle of next week when we'll get the next chance for showers and storms.

By Jason Samenow | July 10, 2010; 3:15 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (25)
Categories: Forecasts
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NatCast: A warm Washington evening

* Our Full Forecast | Weather Wall | Nationals Journal * Nationals vs. GiantsSaturday July 10, 7:05 p.m., Nationals Park First Pitch9th InningWeatherChance of RainLow 80sUpper 70sDecreasing clouds10%It's a pretty nice summer evening for baseball in Washington. The rain should be long gone with clouds departing and comfortably warm temps....

By Jason Samenow | July 10, 2010; 5:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: NatCast
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PM Update: Rain chances go up into tomorrow

We took another slight step downward in the temperature department today, but high humidity levels helped mute that change. Despite partly-to-mostly cloudy conditions, temperatures have still been able to rise to around and above 90 across most of the area. A cold front (really a wind shift and lowering of humidity) headed toward us is likely to bring needed rain to at least some spots tonight into early tomorrow.

By Ian Livingston | July 9, 2010; 7:55 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (40)
Categories: Forecasts
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A deadly combo: heat, cars and kids

As temperatures rise across the nation, sadly so do the number of children who die after being left inside hot vehicles. Already this year there have been 20 deaths of children in hot cars. And it does not have to be a blazing hot day in a southern state for these tragedies to take place as evidenced by the fact that, over the years, there have been deaths of children in hot vehicles in 46 states and with temperatures as cool as the upper 60s.

By Capital Weather Gang | July 9, 2010; 11:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (9)
Categories: Extreme Heat
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Forecast: Sweatin' it out... plus Sat. showers

The upper 90s and low 100s have departed, at least for now. Despite our slightly cooler highs the next several days -- mainly low-to-mid 90s, with a brief dip to the 80s tomorrow -- high humidity keeps the air feeling sweaty through tomorrow. At least the increased moisture translates to our first significant rain chance since June 28. If you can make it through the mugginess, Sunday offers some drier heat. But the keyword is "heat," with 90s persisting as we get into early next week. Ooof!

By Camden Walker | July 9, 2010; 5:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (11)
Categories: Forecasts
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NatCast: Warm, humid and small shower chance

There's a decent chance that any showers or storms wait until after the game. But a small umbrella in your pocket or bag might be advisable. (We'll update later if we can say anything with more confidence.) Dress for typical summer warmth and humidity.

By Camden Walker | July 9, 2010; 5:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: NatCast
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PM Update: A little cooler, but still hot

Typical summer heat sticks around; Saturday rains? * Do rainmakers work? | Tuesday heat stats | NatCast * * Stay cool with a CWG Snowmageddon t-shirt: Check it out * * Outside now? Radar, lightning, temps & more: Weather Wall * It's cooler, but I didn't feel too cool outside...

By Ian Livingston | July 8, 2010; 3:25 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (11)
Categories: Forecasts
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The Rainmakers: Did they make it rain? Can they?

After the warmest and one of the drier (60% of average rainfall) Junes on record, drought, or at least the perception of drought, enters people's minds, as it is now. In the past, however, when rain was badly needed (or sought for military advantage), people used the most bizarre methods imaginable. What were some of them?

By Don Lipman | July 8, 2010; 11:30 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (10)
Categories: Droughts, Education, Lipman
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Tuesday: 100 earliest in day & for longest time

THE EARLIEST REPORTED READING OF 100F IN A CALENDAR DAY WAS RECORDED YESTERDAY JULY 6 2010 ... JUST BEFORE 12 PM NOON EDT ... OR 11 AM IN EASTERN STANDARD TIME...EST. PREVIOUSLY THE EARLIEST RECORD OF A 100F READING IN WASHINGTON DC WAS AUG 21 1930 AT NOON EST ... OR 1 PM EDT.

By Jason Samenow | July 8, 2010; 10:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (12)
Categories: Local Climate
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Forecast: Somewhat cooler through weekend

It is painful to say that 90s are an improvement but here we are! The cooling is actually courtesy of an offshore low drifting closer to the coast and pushing in some maritime air. Finally, by Friday night a more traditional cooling source arrives as a cold front should set off a good round of thundershowers for the first time in over 10 days. Saturday should be the coolest with most areas not even breaking 90.

By David Streit | July 8, 2010; 9:20 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (15)
Categories: Forecasts
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Update: Heat advisory for D.C., close-in suburbs

As David discussed in his full forecast, though air temperatures will be slightly cooler today, the humidity will be worse. The net effect is that it's not going to feel much different today than the last several. As such, the National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for the District and Va. suburbs inside the beltway (see map) from noon to 9 p.m. tonight.

By Jason Samenow | July 8, 2010; 8:30 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Updates
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NatCast: May our batters be as hot as the weather

* Our Full Forecast | Weather Wall | Nationals Journal * Nationals vs. PadresThursday July 8, 7:05 p.m., Nationals Park First Pitch9th Inning WeatherChance of RainUpper 80sLower 80sFair and humid10%Toasty temperatures fall only slowly. Dress light and drink plenty of fluids. Pray for lots of strikes to stir up a...

By David Streit | July 8, 2010; 5:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: NatCast
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PM Update: Heat wave breaks more records

Our heat wave continues its crest and records are again falling across the area. National, with a high (so far) of 102, has solidly destroyed the old record for the day by several degrees and BWI's old record has also succumbed while Dulles nears historic numbers. With another 100+ day behind us, D.C. has accomplished back-to-back readings this high for the first time since July 6-7, 1999.

By Ian Livingston | July 7, 2010; 5:30 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (22)
Categories: Forecasts
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Flashback: Five months ago, epic snow

* Mild relief coming?: Full Forecast | NatCast | Snowmageddon t-shirts * Generally 20-50"+ of snow fell in the first tens days of February, 2010 across the region. Snow map courtesy Paul Kocin, adapted by CWG. Here are some links from the vault so you can relive the magic (or...

By Jason Samenow | July 7, 2010; 2:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (16)
Categories: Local Climate
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Reader questions on the heat wave...

During this intense heat wave, the questions are coming in fast and furious. Matt took a quite a few during yesterday's online chat but we've heard many more from CWG readers via post comments, our Twitter feed, and email. Here's a sampling along with responses:

By Jason Samenow | July 7, 2010; 12:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Capital Weather Gang, Extreme Heat
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What do you like about summer heat?

The D.C. area has already experienced its fair share of summer conditions ... and it's only the first week of July. We've heard -- and said -- plenty of complaints about the heat and humidity: sweaty work clothes, lack of energy, moldy basements. Yet, some residents actually seem to like the heat. Are you one of them?

By Ann Posegate | July 7, 2010; 10:45 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (12)
Categories: Extreme Heat, Posegate, Wx and the City
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Forecast: Brutal heat wave hits day 3 of near 100

Ridiculous, record-threatening heat is on the agenda again today -- yesterday's highs of 102 at National and 100 at Dulles were one and two degrees short of the respective record highs for the day, while BWI's 105 broke the old record of 101 -- before we return to more garden-variety summer warmth starting tomorrow. What doesn't seem to be coming anytime soon is any significant stretch of below-normal temperatures. Still, after three days with highs near and over 100, we'll take low 90s to near 90 tomorrow through the weekend, even if it means higher humidity. And maybe a thunderstorm or two to go with it?

By Dan Stillman | July 7, 2010; 10:30 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (37)
Categories: Forecasts
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NatCast: Home team would gladly hit the road

This evening's forecast for San Diego? Cloudy with temperatures in the 60s. So what the heck are we playing baseball here for?

By Dan Stillman | July 7, 2010; 5:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: NatCast
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PM Update: Heat wave keeps area boiling

A lot of hot days climax in the late afternoon, but on this first of two heat advisory days we've been "treated" to 95-100 degree heat since around lunchtime. Tomorrow's going to be another scorcher with the thermometer threatening to hit 100 again.

By Ian Livingston | July 6, 2010; 5:50 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (50)
Categories: Forecasts
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Washington D.C. fireworks from the Potomac River

The heat wave that started on the 4th of July was certainly not enough to keep anyone from the fireworks show. CWG's Ian Livingston shares some photos taken on the banks of the Potomac River.

By Ian Livingston | July 6, 2010; 1:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Fourth of July, Photography
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Thinking cool thoughts during the heat wave

I am acutely aware that it's hot outside, since the idea of writing a blog post on the ongoing heat wave, and the heat that preceded it in June, has caused me to start sweating. Well, that and the fact that it is ridiculously hot outside. Did I mention that it's hot out? I'm not sure if I did, since the heat is making me a bit woozy.

By Andrew Freedman | July 6, 2010; 10:45 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (24)
Categories: Climate Change, Freedman, News & Notes, Science, Temperature Extremes
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Forecast: Super scorcher today and tomorrow

Our brutal broiling heat wave is forecast to continue today and tomorrow as big high pressure delivers a pressure-cooker pattern to the area. Humidity levels will not be severe, but they are slowly increasing each day. If there is any good news to be found, it looks as though that super hot upper level high pressure area could start breaking down sooner than expected, meaning that Thursday and Friday could see about a ten degree pullback on high temperatures along with increased chances for thunderstorms.

By Matt Rogers | July 6, 2010; 10:45 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (51)
Categories: Forecasts
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NatCast: Foul heat

* Our Full Forecast | Weather Wall | Nationals Journal * Nationals vs. PadresToday, 7:05 p.m., Nationals Park First Pitch9th InningWeatherChance of Rain9488Mostly clear, hot.10%Dress cool and let the professionals brave the hot weather on the field tonight. NatCast appears on the day of every Nationals home game. Also,...

By Matt Rogers | July 6, 2010; 5:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: NatCast
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Forecast: Blistering heat takes hold

If you hate the heat, then staring at forecast highs near 100 for at least the next 3 days is surely painful. But maybe the fact the humidity levels - while bad - could be worse provides some consolation. Or perhaps this forecast's only saving grace is the chance of some relief by later in the week or the weekend...

By Jason Samenow | July 5, 2010; 4:30 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (45)
Categories: Forecasts
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Forecast: Here comes the heat

Well, we knew summer wouldn't let us get away with picture perfect days in the low-to-mid 80s all summer. But it's a shame that our reality check has to come on a day where many of us will be outdoors for a good portion of it. While it might be a scorcher temperature-wise, humidity should still be low enough that it won't be brutal. As we continue into the week, temperatures close in on a return to 100, and higher humidity levels begin to make themselves known once again.

By Brian Jackson | July 4, 2010; 4:25 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (13)
Categories: Forecasts
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NatCast: At least it's a dry(ish) heat

* Our Full Forecast | Weather Wall | Nationals Journal * Nationals vs. MetsSunday, July 4, 1:35 p.m., Nationals Park First Pitch9th InningWeatherChance of RainUpper 80Low-to-mid 90sBright sun%Hot but dry. With little wind, a shaded seat might be nice. Can the Nats provide some early fireworks? NatCast appears on...

By Brian Jackson | July 4, 2010; 5:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: NatCast
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Capital Weather Gang: July 4, 2010 - July 10, 2010