Saturday, December 08, 2007
Wet Weekend Warm-Up for Washingtonians
Jason Samenow @ 12:36 AM
As a warming trend commences this weekend, no more snow, no more sleet and no more freezing temperatures for us -- at least for a while. But as the temperatures rise, the clouds will stay put, and on and off rain showers will nag us for at least the next couple days.
Morning rain showers, not as cold. The morning hours will be damp and raw, with some patchy light rain and temperatures slowly rising through the 30s. By afternoon though, the rain should gradually diminish. Skies should remain mostly cloudy, although there could be some breaks by sundown. Highs should reach the upper 40s. Partly cloudy skies early tonight should become mostly cloudy late, with a slight chance of rain towards morning as a warm front approaches the region. Lows will range from the upper 30s to low 40s (suburbs-city).
Pictured: Snow sparkles in the sunshine at a park near the intersection of Wisconsin/Garfield/Massachusetts Ave in NW DC Thursday. By CapitalWeather.com photographer Ian Livingston.
Occasional light rain showers. Cool. As a warm front lifts through the region, periods of light rain are likely Sunday. The cloud cover and rain will likely hold high temperatures in the mid to upper 40s (much like today). Rain showers should diminish overnight and clouds should partially clear, with mild lows from 40-45 (suburbs-city).
Variably cloudy, mild. Showers late? Behind Sunday's warm front, a very mild airmass will settle in. Partial sunshine in the morning will help temperatures reach 55-60 in the afternoon. Towards evening, a few showers are possible as a weak cold front slips southeastward and across the area.
To me, the best indicator of the real arrival of winter (as opposed to the definitional arrivals) in the DC area is the opening of local ski resorts. Whitetail Resort, the closest local ski area (in Mercersburg, PA) to DC, opened yesterday and currently has 8 runs available. Knowing I can drive 90 minutes and find snow guns blowing and hills covered in white, helps to clear any confusion in my mind about the season's identity. [Of course, the prospect of 60 degree temperatures and rain may quickly change that sentiment.]
Besides the calendar, what's a key indicator of the onset of winter for you?
Today
Morning rain showers, not as cold. The morning hours will be damp and raw, with some patchy light rain and temperatures slowly rising through the 30s. By afternoon though, the rain should gradually diminish. Skies should remain mostly cloudy, although there could be some breaks by sundown. Highs should reach the upper 40s. Partly cloudy skies early tonight should become mostly cloudy late, with a slight chance of rain towards morning as a warm front approaches the region. Lows will range from the upper 30s to low 40s (suburbs-city).Pictured: Snow sparkles in the sunshine at a park near the intersection of Wisconsin/Garfield/Massachusetts Ave in NW DC Thursday. By CapitalWeather.com photographer Ian Livingston.
Sunday
Occasional light rain showers. Cool. As a warm front lifts through the region, periods of light rain are likely Sunday. The cloud cover and rain will likely hold high temperatures in the mid to upper 40s (much like today). Rain showers should diminish overnight and clouds should partially clear, with mild lows from 40-45 (suburbs-city).Monday
Variably cloudy, mild. Showers late? Behind Sunday's warm front, a very mild airmass will settle in. Partial sunshine in the morning will help temperatures reach 55-60 in the afternoon. Towards evening, a few showers are possible as a weak cold front slips southeastward and across the area.A Look Ahead
- Tuesday and Wednesday should be very mild with just a slight chance of showers due to the proximity of a stalled out front to the north. Both days, highs should be near 60 with more clouds than sun.
- On Thursday, a cold front is likely to approach, increasing shower chances. Temps will remain mild until the front passes, likely reaching well into the 50s.
- Cooler air and sunnier conditions should return Friday, with highs near 50.
Whitetail Resort is open, Winter is here...
To me, the best indicator of the real arrival of winter (as opposed to the definitional arrivals) in the DC area is the opening of local ski resorts. Whitetail Resort, the closest local ski area (in Mercersburg, PA) to DC, opened yesterday and currently has 8 runs available. Knowing I can drive 90 minutes and find snow guns blowing and hills covered in white, helps to clear any confusion in my mind about the season's identity. [Of course, the prospect of 60 degree temperatures and rain may quickly change that sentiment.]
Besides the calendar, what's a key indicator of the onset of winter for you?
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