Capital Weather Gang: January 9, 2011 - January 15, 2011

Forecast: Tolerable weekend, then tricky

We've got good news! Today is looking almost pleasant as highs rise into the 40s. After some potential evening flurries, the rest of the extended weekend is not looking bad either. Come Monday, clouds stream in ahead of the next storm that could bring some wintry mix to start.

CWG's Express & Detailed Forecast

By Ian Livingston  | January 15, 2011; 4:50 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (91)
Categories:  Forecasts  
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Rivaling reasons for world's extreme weather

Epic floods in northeast Australia have swamped 30,000 homes with water covering a region larger than France and Germany combined. Mudslides in Brazil have killed hundreds. Hundreds have also died from torrents in Sri Lanka. Snowfall has covered parts of 49 states in U.S. What's causing all of this weather mayhem?

By Jason Samenow  | January 14, 2011; 6:00 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (23)
Categories:  Climate Change, International Weather, Latest  
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PM Update: More cold, remaining mostly dry

The cold, dry weather pattern is becoming a bit of a broken record, although we do have a shot at some precipitation in the extended range. Chilly weather continues tomorrow with a chance of some conversational snow flurries late in the day.

CWG's Detailed Forecast

By Jason Samenow  | January 14, 2011; 3:40 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (8)
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Will early Tuesday be wintry or rainy?

Subtle pattern changes have taken place with implications for the next storm system that will approach the area late Monday night into Tuesday. These changes almost guarantees that the next storm will be primarily be a rain event for most of the area, especially east of I-95. However, enough residual cold air may remain across the region to allow for a brief period of snow, sleet and/or freezing rain when the precipitation begins early Tuesday morning, particularly west of the city.

By Wes Junker  | January 14, 2011; 12:30 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (18)
Categories:  Latest, Winter Storms  
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Freak, deadly storm: Children's Blizzard of 1888

This week marks the anniversary of what's probably one of the most ferocious and deadly blizzards in this country which, perchance, you've never heard about. On the morning of January 12, 1888, a blizzard swept down suddenly on the unsuspecting inhabitants on the prairies of the upper Midwest (especially portions of Nebraska and South Dakota) with unprecedented ferocity.

By Steve Tracton  | January 14, 2011; 10:45 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (17)
Categories:  History, Latest, Tracton, U.S. Weather  
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Forecast: Slight thaw, but still chilly

Today we're stuck in the 30s again, though some 40s are likely just around the corner. There are no real weather concerns for the weekend other than maybe a passing flurry or sprinkle late Saturday. After that, we're watching a potential rain event maybe starting with a little wintry mix early next week.

CWG's Express & Detailed Forecast

By Camden Walker  | January 14, 2011; 6:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (24)
Categories:  Forecasts  
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Weather forecast delivered by toothpaste?

Would you buy a toothpaste that changed flavor based on the weather? One day, you may be able to.

By Jason Samenow  | January 13, 2011; 6:30 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (9)
Categories:  Humor, Latest, Science  
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PM Update: Cold holds, winds diminish

Today marks the 10th day out of 13 this month in which temperatures have been at or below average. And chilly weather continues for at least the next several days. On the plus side, winds should gradually slacken tonight into tomorrow, taking an edge off the chill.

CWG's Detailed Forecast

By Jason Samenow  | January 13, 2011; 3:45 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (18)
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Does snow cover extent debunk global warming?

Snow on the ground in every state except Florida. 65% of the nation covered in snow . Is this evidence to question global warming? Simply put, no.

By Jason Samenow  | January 13, 2011; 12:30 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (25)
Categories:  Climate Change, Latest, U.S. Weather  
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Wintry views from Washington Monument

If you want to avoid the crowds at the Washington Monument, visit the morning after a snowstorm. I made a trip to the monument on the morning of January 12, the day after 1-2" of snow fell across the area. When I arrived at the top of the Monument, I immediately noticed large icicles hanging over many of the windows. I decided to photograph through the icicles to show the context of the winter scene.

By Kevin Ambrose  | January 13, 2011; 10:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (17)
Categories:  Photography  
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Forecast: Plenty of sun but no warmth

It takes some time to dig out of this cold spot but by the long weekend we should at least reach more seasonable temps (42/27 at Reagan National). In fact, this weekend marks the bottom of the climatological temperatures and it is all uphill from there!

CWG's Express & Detailed Forecast

By David Streit  | January 13, 2011; 5:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (22)
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More than 70 percent of U.S. covered in snow

Tuesday morning, 69% of the contiguous U.S. and 49 out of 50 states had snow on the ground, but not the Washington, D.C. metro region. Thanks in part to the East Coast storm Tuesday night, that number has risen to 71% Wednesday and now includes the D.C. metro region.

By Jason Samenow  | January 12, 2011; 7:00 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (39)
Categories:  Latest, U.S. Weather  
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PM Update: Cold and windy through Thursday

Following last night's snow, we're back to "normal" for this winter -- cold, dry, and windy. Gusts past 30 mph this afternoon sent wind chills well below highs near or just above freezing, and that continues to be the story into tomorrow. At this point we don't need to remind you to bundle up, but just know it is going to be kind of brutal out there through the night!

CWG's Detailed Forecast

By Ian Livingston  | January 12, 2011; 3:35 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (38)
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Snowstorm blasts New York, buries Boston

The storm that brought a quick shot of snow, sleet and freezing rain to the Washington area last night has, as expected, transformed itself into a full-fledged blizzard that is hammering southern New England today. Unlike the so-called "Boxing Day Blizzard" in late December, this storm sped past Philadelphia and New York City like an Amtrak Acela train, dropping 5.2 inches of snow in Philly, and 9.1 in. in the Big Apple.

By Andrew Freedman  | January 12, 2011; 1:45 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (11)
Categories:  Freedman, Latest, U.S. Weather, Winter Storms  
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Why was there ice before snow Tues. night?

Some may be wondering why during the onset of yesterday's storm we had freezing rain and sleet in places instead of snow or plain rain.

By Wes Junker  | January 12, 2011; 11:45 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (25)
Categories:  Latest, Science, Winter Storms  
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Snow totals and your pictures

Snowfall last night fell mostly between 7 and 11 p.m. and was preceded by a period of light mixed precipitation starting around 5:30 p.m. Totals varied from as little as a dusting toward Fredericksburg to as much 3" in parts of Frederick and Howard counties. Most spots in the immediate metro area got 1-2". Reagan National Airport officially received 1".

By Jason Samenow  | January 12, 2011; 9:45 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (31)
Categories:  Latest, Winter Storms  
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Forecast: White & windy but dry; cold

Say it with me, kids. First snow, then wind. Now you. "First snow, then wind." And again! In a pattern almost as predictable as school delays and closings for a couple inches of snow, today is our requisite windy day after the storm.

CWG's Express & Detailed Forecast

By Dan Stillman  | January 12, 2011; 5:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (40)
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Update: Storm is over

Precipitation is starting to fill in around the metro region and in multiple forms. Very light freezing drizzle and freezing rain is being reported in spots, forming a light glaze of ice on untreated surfaces. Be extremely careful where it is precipitating. Where it is precipitating more heavily, the precipitation is in the form of the snow.

By Jason Samenow  | January 11, 2011; 5:40 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (256)
Categories:  Latest, Updates  
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PM Update: Some light snow this evening

Snow totals are likely to be at the low end of earlier predictions. Still, some snow should develop this evening, especially around D.C. and to the north and northeast. In addition, some sleet and freezing is possible, which may cause icy roads.

CWG's Detailed Forecast

By Jason Samenow  | January 11, 2011; 3:45 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (128)
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Midday round-up: Light snow event on track

We're holding firm with our forecast of about 1" of snow in our southwest suburbs to 2-4" northeast of the District.

By Jason Samenow  | January 11, 2011; 1:30 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (159)
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Philly, New York, and Boston face major snow

While the Washington, D.C. area awaits a modest 1-3" type snowstorm, the big cities of the Northeast prepare for their second major, perhaps crippling snowstorm of the 2010-2011 season.

By Jason Samenow  | January 11, 2011; 1:15 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (12)
Categories:  U.S. Weather  
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Forecast: Light snow this afternoon & tonight

Last winter, seemingly every storm had us in the bullseye while this year we're on the edge. Like its 2010-2011 predecessors, a developing coastal storm is not expected to get its act together until it passes to our north. What that means is we get about 1-4 inches of snow, but no major event.

CWG's Express & Detailed Forecast

By Matt Rogers  | January 11, 2011; 5:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (121)
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The latest on late Tuesday's minor snow event

For now, even though this evening's models have shown a slight backing off in precipitation amounts, our forecast remains much as it has for the past two days. We're calling for a most likely scenario of 1-3", except 2-4" from just northeast of the District toward points northeast.

CWG's Accumulation Map & Full Forecast

By Dan Stillman  | January 10, 2011; 11:00 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (21)
Categories:  Forecasts, Updates, Winter Storms  
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Winter Weather Advisory up for D.C. & vicinity

The entire region is now under a Winter Weather Advisory effective 4 p.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday.

By Dan Stillman  | January 10, 2011; 9:55 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (62)
Categories:  Alerts, Latest, Winter Storms  
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Winter in DC: nothing longer than waiting for snow

The afternoon models are in, and guess what? They haven't changed meaningfully. As hard as it might be to believe, accumulating snow - to the tune of one to four inches - may still be 24 hours away.

By Jason Samenow  | January 10, 2011; 6:30 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (49)
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Snow hole? No Weather Service advisory for DC

The Weather Channel reports (via Twitter) 39 states and one third of the U.S. population have either a winter storm watch, warning, or advisory. But not Washington, D.C. and its western suburbs.

By Jason Samenow  | January 10, 2011; 5:00 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (22)
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PM Update: Waiting on tomorrow's snow

It was another cold day. That's become the general story of the winter. What we haven't seen as much of yet is snow, though it looks like that should change at least a little tomorrow. Weather worries are few through Tuesday morning, yet snow will be on the way in after that and we could see a tricky commute home, especially if leaving the office late.

CWG's Detailed Forecast

By Ian Livingston  | January 10, 2011; 4:00 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (36)
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Snow map, accumulation timeline & FAQs

The South has been slammed and the Northeast is poised to be pummeled. What happens in between? Will the D.C. area be left in the snow hole once again? It'll be close, but we think the storm will redevelop just in time to produce a light to moderate snowfall across the area mostly Tuesday afternoon and evening.

CWG's Accumulation Map & Full Forecast

By Jason Samenow  | January 10, 2011; 1:50 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (33)
Categories:  Forecasts, Latest, Winter Storms  
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Update: Snow chance Tuesday night steady

This morning's models are in, and the more things change the more they stay the same. While the models have waffled a bit, we continue to forecast a light to moderate snow event with 1-4" most likely across the metro region.

By Jason Samenow  | January 10, 2011; 11:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (38)
Categories:  Latest, Winter Storms  
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About the Winter Storm Watch east of D.C.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for our eastern suburbs for Tuesday afternoon and night, which includes Prince George's, Anne Arundel, Howard, Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary's counties. The watch was issued for the potential for 5 or more inches of snow (and snow mixed with sleet in Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary's county) in these areas but is not a guarantee.

By Jason Samenow  | January 10, 2011; 8:26 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (40)
Categories:  Latest, Winter Storms  
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Forecast: Cold week with snow Tuesday

The winter of 2010-2011 has been undeniably cold, but when it comes to significant snow we've been denied. The week upcoming keeps the cold coming with a chance we'll finally have enough snow to shovel by Tuesday night.

CWG's Express & Detailed Forecast

By Jason Samenow  | January 10, 2011; 5:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (40)
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Live blogging the models for Tues. snow event

Every 30 minutes or so, I'll post short updates with respect to the models coming in this evening and what they suggest about Tuesday's snow potential....

By Jason Samenow  | January 9, 2011; 9:30 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (69)
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Tuesday snow chance looks real but light

The best guess for snowfall from Tuesday and Tuesday night's storm is probably in the 1-3" or 2-4" range with an outside chance of getting four or more. The heaviest amounts will probably be north and east of the city. The low that is tracking across the south is not projected to develop quickly enough to bring us a lot of snow and there's even the possibility (40% chance) it develops too late for any meaningful accumulation.

By Wes Junker  | January 9, 2011; 1:25 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (159)
Categories:  Latest, Snow Lover's Crystal Ball, Winter Storms  
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Forecast: Chilly 30s 'til next snow chance

Unlike our past two days, you'll wake up today lacking a coating of white on the lawn. Still, it's a frosty morning and temperatures won't make it out of the 30s today or tomorrow. A gusty wind makes today's chill especially bitter. And what about that chance of Tuesday snow?

CWG's Express & Detailed Forecast

By Brian Jackson  | January 9, 2011; 5:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (60)
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