Wednesday, February 01, 2006
New Month Brings Bold Predictions
Dan Stillman @ 1:05 AM
As February dawns, soothsayers abound. The president predicts that the state of the union will get stronger, while oddsmakers see the Pittsburgh Steelers as champions come Superbowl Sunday. Meanwhile, in the world of weather, our own Matt Ross has an "increasing confidence that ... starting next week, we will see multiple cold shots and several snow events before another spring pattern emerges." And tomorrow, our friend from down under will make his annual appearance to tell us what he thinks the future will bring. But first, it's my turn ...
Today and Tonight: Mostly sunny early today, then clouds on the increase during the afternoon -- high near 50. Tonight, partly cloudy with a low near 35 downtown and around 30 in the suburbs.
Tomorrow and Tomorrow Night: Similar to today, we'll start off tomorrow with some sunshine but will see clouds build during the afternoon. A warm, southerly flow will boost high temps into the mid 50s. Cloudy tomorrow night with rain arriving sometime between 7 and 10 p.m., courtesy of a low-pressure system moving in from the southwest. The cloud cover should keep temps from dropping much below the low-to-mid 40s.
Friday and Saturday: Rain Friday morning looks to exit by lunchtime as the low-pressure center moves off to our northeast. Still well above average with a high in the low-to-mid 50s. Uncertainty in the models makes Saturday a tough forecast. For now, let's call it partly cloudy with a chance of a few rain showers and highs in the low-to-mid 50s.
Next Chance of Accumulating Snow: Sunday, Feb. 5
Probability: 20%
Potential Impact:
Commentary: There is reason to believe a storm will develop off the Carolina coast and move up the Eastern Seaboard on Sunday. This has the signature of a snowmaker for D.C., except for the important fact that we'll have a long way to come down from highs in the low-to-mid 50s on Saturday to get to below freezing, not to mention how warm the ground will be (the main reason I'm holding back on the number of "potential impact" flakes). Still, it's worth watching to see where exactly the storm develops, and how efficiently it can pull down cold air from the north.
As usual, the spotlight will be on Punxsutawney Phil as the sun rises on Groundhog Day tomorrow. But this winter Phil has some company in the world of animal prognostication. The wooly bear caterpillars we told you about back in November are earning praise for their predictions of a warm winter. Let's see if Punxsutawney can continue the trend of animals out-forecasting the professionals.
Picture courtesy Ohio State University.
We've all felt the effects of an unusually warm January, whether it be a bulge in our pocketbooks from lower-than-expected heating bills, a spring in our step thanks to spring-like temperatures, or a hint of frustration at the absence of snow. Two of the most popular leisure industries are feeling their own impacts: Golf courses are teeming with spring-like crowds, while ski resorts are feeling left out in the cold. The linked article notes that the problem isn't as much a lack of snow at the resorts themselves as it is a lack of snow in the backyards of potential skiers.
For those willing to take a break from the links, check out the latest Mid-Atlantic ski conditions at DCSki.com
Meteorologist Marty Bass from Baltimore's WJZ (Channel 13) joined thousands of people taking the Polar Bear Plunge on Saturday at Maryland's Sandy Point State Park. While the cause was noble -- money raised went to charity -- the deed was not as impressive as it usually is ... what a polar bear would give to experience the 61-degree temperature recorded at BWI at plunge time.
Forecast
Today and Tonight: Mostly sunny early today, then clouds on the increase during the afternoon -- high near 50. Tonight, partly cloudy with a low near 35 downtown and around 30 in the suburbs.Tomorrow and Tomorrow Night: Similar to today, we'll start off tomorrow with some sunshine but will see clouds build during the afternoon. A warm, southerly flow will boost high temps into the mid 50s. Cloudy tomorrow night with rain arriving sometime between 7 and 10 p.m., courtesy of a low-pressure system moving in from the southwest. The cloud cover should keep temps from dropping much below the low-to-mid 40s.Friday and Saturday: Rain Friday morning looks to exit by lunchtime as the low-pressure center moves off to our northeast. Still well above average with a high in the low-to-mid 50s. Uncertainty in the models makes Saturday a tough forecast. For now, let's call it partly cloudy with a chance of a few rain showers and highs in the low-to-mid 50s.Snow Lover's Crystal Ball
Next Chance of Accumulating Snow: Sunday, Feb. 5
Probability: 20%
Potential Impact:
Commentary: There is reason to believe a storm will develop off the Carolina coast and move up the Eastern Seaboard on Sunday. This has the signature of a snowmaker for D.C., except for the important fact that we'll have a long way to come down from highs in the low-to-mid 50s on Saturday to get to below freezing, not to mention how warm the ground will be (the main reason I'm holding back on the number of "potential impact" flakes). Still, it's worth watching to see where exactly the storm develops, and how efficiently it can pull down cold air from the north.
Competition for Punxsutawney
As usual, the spotlight will be on Punxsutawney Phil as the sun rises on Groundhog Day tomorrow. But this winter Phil has some company in the world of animal prognostication. The wooly bear caterpillars we told you about back in November are earning praise for their predictions of a warm winter. Let's see if Punxsutawney can continue the trend of animals out-forecasting the professionals.Picture courtesy Ohio State University.
Warmth Has Golfers Seeing Green, Skiers Wishing for White
We've all felt the effects of an unusually warm January, whether it be a bulge in our pocketbooks from lower-than-expected heating bills, a spring in our step thanks to spring-like temperatures, or a hint of frustration at the absence of snow. Two of the most popular leisure industries are feeling their own impacts: Golf courses are teeming with spring-like crowds, while ski resorts are feeling left out in the cold. The linked article notes that the problem isn't as much a lack of snow at the resorts themselves as it is a lack of snow in the backyards of potential skiers.
For those willing to take a break from the links, check out the latest Mid-Atlantic ski conditions at DCSki.com
A Polar Bear's Dream
Meteorologist Marty Bass from Baltimore's WJZ (Channel 13) joined thousands of people taking the Polar Bear Plunge on Saturday at Maryland's Sandy Point State Park. While the cause was noble -- money raised went to charity -- the deed was not as impressive as it usually is ... what a polar bear would give to experience the 61-degree temperature recorded at BWI at plunge time.
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