Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Unusual Storms Approach From Northeast
Cooler and Occasionally Moist for Midweek
Matt Ross @ 4:30 PM
** Severe Thunderstorm Watch in Effect Until 8 PM **
4:30 Update: Look outside carefully, and you'll see those puffy cumulus clouds moving from the northeast, a very unusual direction for this time of year. The circulation around a persistent low pressure area off the Atlantic coast, along with its cold air aloft, has promoted the development of a widespread area of thunderstorms, some severe, over southeastern Pennsylvania and northern Delaware this afternoon. These storms have been moving "backwards" (southwesterly) into northeastern Maryland and were reaching the northwestern Baltimore suburbs shortly after 4:00. Some of these storms may be severe as they reach the DC metro area in the next couple of hours. Strong, gusty winds are possible, along with hail as the result of the cold upper level temperatures. -Steve Scolnik
Earlier post: Seasonable, but somewhat unsettled weather will be the story for midweek. A drier and warmer air mass will move in toward the end of the week for the weekend.
Becoming Cloudy, Showers Likely. Today will start out partly sunny, although an isolated shower can't be ruled out. In the afternoon clouds will increase with a 60% chance of showers and possible thunderstorms. High temperatures will be in the low 80s. A chance of showers and thunderstorms are also possible (40%) for Tuesday night, especially early. Overnight lows will only drop to the low to mid 60s.
Cooler, Mostly Dry. Wednesday will be partly sunny and seasonably cool with a northeast marine flow. Afternoon highs will be in the upper 70s. There is a slight chance of some afternoon showers, especially in western parts of the area. Refer to Jason's forecast for the rest of the week and weekend.
A preview of midweek courtesy of Accuweather. The warmer and drier air should move in just in time for the upcoming weekend.
As we approach mid June, conditions have been a bit more summery than average. National Airport (DCA) is running over 3 degrees above normal despite only one 90+ degree day so far this month. Dulles Airport (IAD) so far is a staggering 6.5 degrees above normal for the month, and is running neck and neck with DCA for overall average temperature despite a historical average nearly 4 degrees cooler for the month. This is partially due to lots of days with southerly winds which keeps DCA cooler during the day due to its location which juts out into the still cool Potomac River. This will tend to be less of a factor as we head through the summer and the river warms.
Our warmest June on record, 1994, doesn't seem to be in any jeopardy of being surpassed. That month, which finished 5 degrees above normal, featured 17 out of 30 days with high temperatures of 90 degrees or higher. In stark contrast, our friends out west are experiencing quite a different June. Denver is running over 3 degrees below normal for the month and just recently had its latest sub-freezing temperature on record. Last Friday, June 8th, Denver recorded not only a record low for the date (31 degrees) , but also the 2nd lowest temperature ever recorded in June. Afternoon highs reached 90 on Sunday. What a weekend.
4:30 Update: Look outside carefully, and you'll see those puffy cumulus clouds moving from the northeast, a very unusual direction for this time of year. The circulation around a persistent low pressure area off the Atlantic coast, along with its cold air aloft, has promoted the development of a widespread area of thunderstorms, some severe, over southeastern Pennsylvania and northern Delaware this afternoon. These storms have been moving "backwards" (southwesterly) into northeastern Maryland and were reaching the northwestern Baltimore suburbs shortly after 4:00. Some of these storms may be severe as they reach the DC metro area in the next couple of hours. Strong, gusty winds are possible, along with hail as the result of the cold upper level temperatures. -Steve Scolnik
Earlier post: Seasonable, but somewhat unsettled weather will be the story for midweek. A drier and warmer air mass will move in toward the end of the week for the weekend.
Today and Tonight
Becoming Cloudy, Showers Likely. Today will start out partly sunny, although an isolated shower can't be ruled out. In the afternoon clouds will increase with a 60% chance of showers and possible thunderstorms. High temperatures will be in the low 80s. A chance of showers and thunderstorms are also possible (40%) for Tuesday night, especially early. Overnight lows will only drop to the low to mid 60s.Tomorrow
Cooler, Mostly Dry. Wednesday will be partly sunny and seasonably cool with a northeast marine flow. Afternoon highs will be in the upper 70s. There is a slight chance of some afternoon showers, especially in western parts of the area. Refer to Jason's forecast for the rest of the week and weekend.A preview of midweek courtesy of Accuweather. The warmer and drier air should move in just in time for the upcoming weekend.
Climate Notes
As we approach mid June, conditions have been a bit more summery than average. National Airport (DCA) is running over 3 degrees above normal despite only one 90+ degree day so far this month. Dulles Airport (IAD) so far is a staggering 6.5 degrees above normal for the month, and is running neck and neck with DCA for overall average temperature despite a historical average nearly 4 degrees cooler for the month. This is partially due to lots of days with southerly winds which keeps DCA cooler during the day due to its location which juts out into the still cool Potomac River. This will tend to be less of a factor as we head through the summer and the river warms.
Our warmest June on record, 1994, doesn't seem to be in any jeopardy of being surpassed. That month, which finished 5 degrees above normal, featured 17 out of 30 days with high temperatures of 90 degrees or higher. In stark contrast, our friends out west are experiencing quite a different June. Denver is running over 3 degrees below normal for the month and just recently had its latest sub-freezing temperature on record. Last Friday, June 8th, Denver recorded not only a record low for the date (31 degrees) , but also the 2nd lowest temperature ever recorded in June. Afternoon highs reached 90 on Sunday. What a weekend.
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