Archive: Winter Storms
Avoiding the Hype Trap
In an interview in Parade magazine, National Weather Service (NWS) Director Dr. Jack Hayes was asked "Is there too much hype in weather forecasting?" His response: I think meteorologists are sensitive to overhyping the weather and creating a lack of trust with the public. Whenever you're in doubt, check with...
By Jason Samenow | February 26, 2008; 11:00 AM ET | Comments (16)
Forecast: A Bit of Snow, Then an Icy Mess
*Winter Storm Warning in effect until 10pm Friday night* Snow has already moved into the Maryland suburbs north and west of the beltway. It is these areas that will likely receive enough snow to shovel by morning. In the immediate metro area (inside the beltway) and further south, perhaps just...
By Capital Weather Gang | February 21, 2008; 11:00 PM ET | Comments (69)
Update: Snow Tonight, Freezing Rain Friday
**Winter Storm Watch Thursday evening through Friday night** A one-two punch is taking shape for the metro area tonight through early Saturday. Tonight, as you go to bed, light snow is likely to develop, probably between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. Temperatures in the mid to upper 20s will be...
By Camden Walker | February 21, 2008; 11:20 AM ET | Comments (57)
Lessons Learned: Road Crews Prepped and Ready?
On my drive around the area this morning, including the Beltway and I-66, I saw numerous sand and salt trucks prepped and ready to go -- around overpasses, on ramps, and other road surfaces in Northern Virginia. Heck, the Virginia Department of Transportation center on I-495 near Springfield practically had...
By Jamie Jones | February 20, 2008; 03:00 PM ET | Comments (3)
Update: Light Snowfall Still On Track
Another storm could bring late-week wintry mix **Snow Advisory in effect for metro area from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. today** Snow is on schedule to move into the DC area from west to east during the next few hours, and is expected to continue through the afternoon, ending by...
By Matt Ross | February 20, 2008; 11:00 AM ET | Comments (61)
Snow Lovers: Double Pleasure or Twice the Pain?
We continue to closely track two potential winter weather events this week. The first event, tomorrow, should consist of mostly snow but probably not enough to shovel. The second event (or series of events), Thursday night through Saturday, has the potential to be a more significant snow and/or ice producer...
By Jason Samenow | February 19, 2008; 11:00 AM ET | Comments (39)
Recap: A Fair Forecast, With Flaws
By A. Camden Walker and Dan Stillman Capital Weather Gang meteorologist A. Camden Walker captures Tuesday evening's deserted, ice-coated Logan Circle. Sometimes Mother Nature has an uncanny sense of timing, whether it's severe storms on the Fourth of July, a soaking rain or significant snow on a holiday weekend, or...
By Capital Weather Gang | February 15, 2008; 11:00 AM ET | Comments (21)
Super Soaker: Record Rain Recap
This morning's showers, while generally minimal across the metro area (a couple hundredths of an inch), helped add to a nice surplus for February built up from Friday's record-setting rainfall. The regional 24-hour precipitation map (popup image) ending 7 a.m. Saturday from the National Weather Service (NWS) Precipitation Analysis...
By Steve Scolnik | February 4, 2008; 07:00 PM ET | Comments (5)
Possible Ice, Then Buckets of Rain
We are monitoring the potential for some sleet or freezing rain accumulation north and west of the Beltway late Thursday night into early Friday morning, which could produce some hazardous conditions (see Josh's full forecast). But the majority of the precipitation in the region is expected to be plain ol'...
By Camden Walker | January 31, 2008; 11:00 AM ET | Comments (25)
International House of Snowflakes
Wild Winter Weather Hits China, Israel Some statistics this morning from site visitor Augusta Jim would indicate that the very long-term snow trend is not negative, but as Matt pointed out, La Niña may be limiting our flaky fortunes through February. If we don't get the snow, who does? Manufacturing...
By Steve Scolnik | January 30, 2008; 07:00 PM ET | Comments (11)
Another Slim Snow Chance on Thursday
Measurable snow a long shot Next Chance of Accumulating Snow: Thursday Probability: 35% Potential Impact: As with most of the snow threats this winter season, odds favor less snow rather than more....
By Jason Samenow | January 23, 2008; 05:30 AM ET | Comments (11)
Weekend Storm Trending Away
Still bears watching Next Chance of Accumulating Snow: Saturday PM - Sunday AM Probability: 35% Potential Impact: The good news is you may not need that shovel again this weekend. That's not-so-good news for those craving more of the white stuff. During the day Saturday, low pressure pulling out of...
By Dan Stillman | January 18, 2008; 10:00 AM ET | Comments (23)
Photography: Downtown DC in Heavy Snow
As the snow poured down just before the lunch hour I grabbed my camera and headed out into the elements to see what the situation was on the ground. Upon exiting the building where I work downtown, I was greeted by moderate to occasionally heavy snow. Here are a few...
By Ian Livingston | January 17, 2008; 02:20 PM ET | Comments (3)
Alert: Here Comes the Snow
Latest MidAtlantic radar loop, courtesy National Weather Service. Refresh page to update, or click here to expand. Snow is currently spreading over the region as an area of low pressure destined to bring many their first accumulating snow of 2008 moves up the East Coast. Expect steady light to...
By Ian Livingston | January 17, 2008; 10:00 AM ET | Comments (219)
The Return of Snow
Accumulating snow likely today; Maybe more Saturday Winter weather advisory in effect for the metro area, winter storm warning in Loudoun, Fauquier and Frederick counties. Here we go. After more than a month since our last accumulating snowfall, chances are good some measurable amounts of the white stuff will fall...
By Josh Larson | January 17, 2008; 05:00 AM ET | Comments (81)
Small Storm May Cause Small Problems
Snow eventually changing to rain ... but when? Next Chance of Accumulating Snow: Thursday Probability: 50% Potential Impact: First things first: This does not appear to be a big storm, or that it could turn into a big storm. We're talking minor accumulations at best. But around here, a light...
By Matt Ross | January 16, 2008; 12:10 PM ET | Comments (23)
A Slight Shot at Snow Late This Week
Unclear if enough cold air will be in place. Next Chance of Accumulating Snow: Thursday Probability: 30% Potential Impact: Commentary: If you are unhappy with the fact that yesterday's snow passed the Washington, DC area by while dumping quite a bit over New England, don't get too down (yet). Computer...
By Josh Larson | January 14, 2008; 10:30 AM ET | Comments (18)
Alert: Sunday PM Storm Mainly Rain
The details for tomorrow's storm are finally crystallizing, but snow crystals aren't a big part of the equation, unless you happen to be a mile high in the atmosphere. Down at ground level, temperatures are going to be too warm for snow until the storm is pulling away and starting...
By Jason Samenow | January 12, 2008; 11:15 PM ET | Comments (16)
Best Snow Chance Since Early December
But still not great; Uncertainty higher than normal Next Chance of Accumulating Snow: Sunday-Monday Probability: 55% Potential Impact: Commentary: A storm will organize off the coast of the Carolinas Sunday morning and then intensify as it merges with another storm to the northwest off the coast of the Delmarva peninsula...
By Jason Samenow | January 12, 2008; 07:00 AM ET | Comments (19)
Meet a Major Meteorologist
Attention winter weather weenies It never rains, but it pours. The DC region, home to more meteorologists per acre than probably anywhere else in the world, is host to two major meteorological meetings on the same night next week. The DC chapter of the American Meteorological Society is presenting winter...
By Steve Scolnik | January 9, 2008; 07:46 PM ET | Comments (10)
Winter Starts Slow, Will it Finish Strong?
After yesterday's record-breaking warmth and a rather tame start to winter, one naturally wonders, is winter cold and snow going to be a no-show? Our updated, long-term winter outlook calls for January to cool down after a hot start, a warm February and the potential for a colder than average...
By Matt Ross | January 9, 2008; 12:05 PM ET | Comments (9)
Where's All the Snow?
Outside of the December 5 "clipper storm" that brought 3-5" to most of the DC metro area, the metro region has seen little to no snow. And it's been warm. December finished over two degrees above normal at Reagan National Airport (DCA) for DC's eighth consecutive month with at or...
By Matt Ross | January 8, 2008; 04:45 AM ET | Comments (20)
