Tuesday, October 02, 2007
October 's Reputation for Great Weather is Safe
Matt Ross @ 9:00 AM
My favorite month, October, gets started with temperatures slightly above normal and dry conditions persisting. Enjoy the beautiful weather. It is only a matter of time until the pattern changes and/or the inevitability of shorter, colder days is upon us.
Mostly Sunny, Pleasant. Morning cloudiness will quickly give way to mostly sunny conditions. It will be gorgeous with highs in the mid to upper 70s. Tonight will be partly cloudy and mild with overnight lows in the upper 50s to low 60s.
Partly Cloudy, A Touch of Humidity. Today will be partly cloudy and warmer. The easterly flow will usher in moister air, though any drizzle/showers should stay well to our east. Afternoon highs will reach the upper 70s to lower 80s. Refer to Dan's forecast for the rest of the week and weekend.
Stellar shot of yesterday's sunrise over Iwo Jima, courtesy of CapitalWeather.com Photographer, Kevin Ambrose.
Both nationwide and in our metro region, September bore much resemblance to August. It was dry and warm with the core of the dry, hot conditions centered over the Ohio Valley and mid Atlantic. Our monthly average temperature finished 2.4 degrees above normal for our 12th warmest September on record at National Airport (DCA) in 67 years. There were 19 days with highs 80 or above (Average: 15/16) including four 90 degree days and only one day with a high below 70 degrees.
Like last month, the heat was more impressive at Dulles Airport (IAD) with the monthly average almost 4 degrees above normal for their 4th warmest September in 45 years of records. As Steve mentioned yesterday, the month was very dry (0.60") and finished tied for the 4th driest on record at DCA in 67 years. IAD fared a bit better this month with 1.40" of rain. October is off to a warm start. If the warmth was to hold up, we would have our 6th consecutive month of temperatures at normal or above.
Yesterday, the National Weather Service launched a new Storm-Based Warning system for severe weather. Unlike the past warning system which was based on geopolitical boundaries (usually counties), the new system will pinpoint risk areas with much better detail and accuracy. What this means is less people warned, but more specific and presumably effective warnings for those most at risk.
Today and Tonight
Mostly Sunny, Pleasant. Morning cloudiness will quickly give way to mostly sunny conditions. It will be gorgeous with highs in the mid to upper 70s. Tonight will be partly cloudy and mild with overnight lows in the upper 50s to low 60s.Tomorrow
Partly Cloudy, A Touch of Humidity. Today will be partly cloudy and warmer. The easterly flow will usher in moister air, though any drizzle/showers should stay well to our east. Afternoon highs will reach the upper 70s to lower 80s. Refer to Dan's forecast for the rest of the week and weekend. Stellar shot of yesterday's sunrise over Iwo Jima, courtesy of CapitalWeather.com Photographer, Kevin Ambrose.
September Recap
Both nationwide and in our metro region, September bore much resemblance to August. It was dry and warm with the core of the dry, hot conditions centered over the Ohio Valley and mid Atlantic. Our monthly average temperature finished 2.4 degrees above normal for our 12th warmest September on record at National Airport (DCA) in 67 years. There were 19 days with highs 80 or above (Average: 15/16) including four 90 degree days and only one day with a high below 70 degrees.
Like last month, the heat was more impressive at Dulles Airport (IAD) with the monthly average almost 4 degrees above normal for their 4th warmest September in 45 years of records. As Steve mentioned yesterday, the month was very dry (0.60") and finished tied for the 4th driest on record at DCA in 67 years. IAD fared a bit better this month with 1.40" of rain. October is off to a warm start. If the warmth was to hold up, we would have our 6th consecutive month of temperatures at normal or above.
Government Improves Severe Warning System
Yesterday, the National Weather Service launched a new Storm-Based Warning system for severe weather. Unlike the past warning system which was based on geopolitical boundaries (usually counties), the new system will pinpoint risk areas with much better detail and accuracy. What this means is less people warned, but more specific and presumably effective warnings for those most at risk.
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