Sunday, May 15, 2005
Yesterday's severe storms, today's forecast
Jason Samenow @ 12:43 AM
A severe thunderstorm approaches Falls Church, Saturday evening. By CapitalWeather.com photographer Kevin Ambrose
Often the weather affects an event, but once in a great while, the weather is an event in and of itself.
Last night, 20,000+ fans at the Nationals-Cubs game (including me), witnessed a display of firepower and intensity in the heavens unrivaled with any they may ever see on the baseball diamond. Shortly after 8pm, very dark, black scud clouds began to rapidly fill the sky, streaming in from the west side of RFK. Within a matter of several minutes, torrential sheets of rain were blowing from west to east across the stadium with awed fans (some frantic) fleeing for cover. Sustained winds of 30mph (estimate) with higher gusts, blew the large metal tube on which the tarp is rolled from the warning track in left-center field into short right-center field (or about 200 feet), as the crowd cheered.
The largest roar from the crowd came in direct response to a deafening clap of thunder that was accompanied by a vivid cloud to ground lightning strike in close proximity to the stadium. The thunder and lightning show, the wind and the rain were truly remarkable, captivating the crowd, perhaps moreso than the game itself -- played 2 hours and 45 minutes late due to the storm.
This severe thunderstorm had quite a legacy. Here are some select spotter reports from the storm:
- Wind damage in Fairfax, Annandale and Arlington --> Trees and wires down(Virginia)
- Funnel cloud in McLean (Virginia)
- 3/4" hail in Anacostia (Washington, DC)
- Wind damage in Prince Georges County (Maryland)
Today's forecast
The weather will remain unsettled today, but shouldn't be violent like yesterday. A cold front will move through the area, but quite slowly. After a few morning showers, the bulk of the afternoon looks ok, although a few showers could re-develop -- especially south and east of town, late in the afternoon and into the evening. High temperatures should be in the mid 70s.
NatCast
Nationals vs. Cubs, 1:05pm, RFK
I'm not expecting a repeat of last night's deluge. Skies should be mostly cloudy with just a 30% of some showers during the game. I'd put odds of a rain delay at just 20% and of a rain-out at 10%. Temperatures should be in the mid 70s.
Nationals vs. Cubs, 1:05pm, RFKI'm not expecting a repeat of last night's deluge. Skies should be mostly cloudy with just a 30% of some showers during the game. I'd put odds of a rain delay at just 20% and of a rain-out at 10%. Temperatures should be in the mid 70s.
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