Friday, July 27, 2007

Anticipation: Keeping Us Waiting
Scattered afternoon and evening storms expected

** Severe Thunderstorm Watch in Effect Until 8 PM **

Now


Warm, humid, chance of thunderstorms. After days of anticipation of rain, humidity has crept up a little bit more overnight. A substantial area of thunderstorms moving southeastward from eastern West Virginia and the Maryland panhandle was keeping itself together, but weakening as it crossed I-81 by mid afternoon, giving the best prospect in recent days for some storms in the metro area. Temperatures are quite warm, exceeding 90° in most places shortly after noon, with some southern spots like Fredericksburg and Stafford reaching the mid 90s.

Tonight and Tomorrow


Warm, humid, chance of thunderstorms, some possibly severe. Based on the approaching area of storms, the chance of rain has increased to 50% through this evening. Some storms may be locally severe. Lows tonight will be in the low 70s downtown to the upper 60s in the 'burbs. Tomorrow will be partly to mostly sunny, warm, and humid with highs 89-94° and a 30% chance of afternoon or evening thundershowers.

For the outlook through the rest of the weekend, scroll on down to Camden's post below.

Under the Radar


It doesn't seem to have been reported in the press, but the aptly-named Rep. Flake of Arizona kept the vote on a science appropriations bill waiting on Thursday by submitting a series of amendments. Among them was one to remove $720K in funding for a Doppler radar system at the Meteorology Dept. of Valparaiso University in Indiana. According to his remarks, Mr. Flake apparently still believes as he was taught that
"the best way to tell the weather was to stick your arm out the window of the vehicle as we were going down a farm road."
The amendment was defeated by voice vote. See p. H8628 of the Congressional Record for details.

More Political Science



The Union of Concerned Scientists has announced the winner of the Scientific Integrity Editorial Cartoon Contest. The UCS web site has a handy alphabetical list by agency, including Climate Change Science Program (CCSP), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and NASA. Among the several NOAA examples of political interference are:
Check out the new Hill Heat site for the latest news on Capitol Hill climate change activities.

Thursday, July 26, 2007

More Mugginess

Now


Warm, a little more humid. Under the influence of southeasterly to southerly breezes, temperatures have returned to the 90° range in the Washington metro area with National reaching at least 90° and Dulles 92°. Humidity levels have also been generally higher today, although mid afternoon dewpoint readings were only in the low 60s in most places. On radar, shower activity is widely scattered and generally confined to the mountains of West Virginia.

Tonight and Tomorrow


Warm, humid, slight chance of showers. There is a very slight chance of an isolated shower through this evening. Overnight lows will range from the low 70s downtown to the upper 60s in the 'burbs. Tomorrow will be much like today with a slight chance (20%) of afternoon or evening thundershowers and highs 88-92°.

For the outlook through the weekend and beyond with Larson's Long-Range, scroll on down to Josh's post below.

Tropical Topix


Palm Beach Post opinion columnist Frank Cerabino offered his take on the Proenza affair at the National Hurricane Center yesterday: "Complaining up a storm at the NOAA". Among his suggestions for improving the work environment:
"8 - 9 a.m. - Bagels, cage-free omelets made to order and fresh brewed Colombian coffee flown in daily on a hurricane hunter plane.
9 - 9:30 a.m. - Sharing time. Staffers swap stories about children, or discuss highlights of TV shows from the previous evening."

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

DC: Deficits Continue

Now


Warm, a little more humid. Weak southerly flow both aloft and at the surface east of the low pressure area stuck over the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley is bringing in slightly more humid air this afternoon. Temperatures in the mid 80s and dewpoints in the low to mid 60s are not oppressive for late July, however. Shower activity is extremely spotty through the entire Mid Atlantic region.

Tonight and Tomorrow


Warm, humid, slight chance of showers. Humidity will continue to gradually increase through tomorrow. After a slight chance of showers through this evening, lows tonight will be in the upper 60s to near 70° downtown and in the mid 60s in the 'burbs. Tomorrow will be a little warmer with highs 86-90° and a slight chance (20%) of afternoon or evening thundershowers.

For the outlook through the rest of the week and into the weekend, scroll on down to Dan's post below.

Precipitative Poverty


The 60-day map of precipitation percentage of average from the National Weather Service shows widespred areas of 25-50% (dark orange) across the region. Through central Loudoun Co., much of southern Maryland, and the Northern Neck of Virginia, red areas indicate only 10-25% of average.

Tropical Topix


The National Hurricane Center has implemented a new Experimental Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook.

Yesterday's WaPo Federal Diary reviewed the recent management turmoil at the National Hurricane Center. Diarist Stephen Barr astutely notes, "the NOAA team found that problems at the hurricane center run deeper than any concerns about [ousted former Director] Proenza." The agency report says,
"Simply replacing the director will not resolve the center's workplace issues. If staff morale and long-standing organizational issues are not addressed, they will hinder the center's longer-term ability to accomplish its mission."

Mediarology


The Weather Channel's "Heat Week" continues tonight on Abrams and Bettes and Evening Edition.

Seasonal Outlook

Latest seasonal forecast: Click here.


Latest 3-month temperature outlook from Climate Prediction Center/NWS/NOAA.