14K Cold

Now

Scattered flurries, cold. The scattered flakes flying around the Washington metro area today created a flurry of interest, but not much else, in this snow-starved season. To the west, a couple of inches were reported over the ridges. Temperatures leveled out at mid afternoon in the upper 30s as Arctic air settled in over the region; technically, the high was 39° near midnight. (Friendly memo to Topper: Your presentation at 11pm of temperatures falling all day had PM Update scratching its head wondering what it had missed yesterday.)

The more "industrial strength" chill, as described by Bob R, moves in overnight, although considering the quick rebound likely on Saturday, it seems to be more of the "home office" variety. Another, stronger icy blast is in the pipeline for late weekend arrival.

Tonight and Tomorrow

Flurries possible, clearing, colder. A few scattered flurries are possible (30% chance) as temperatures continue to fall overnight, with lows near 20° in the city and low to mid teens in the 'burbosphere. Tomorrow will be sunny and breezy with highs in the upper 20s.

For the outlook through the weekend and beyond with Larson's Long-Range, scroll on down to Josh's post below.

It's All Relative

Recent temperatures have been much more January-like, and there is more of that on tap, but the fact remains that, with only a week remaining, the month has yet to put together a string of more than 3 consecutive below-average days. Although it won't last, the earlier warm readings have kept the month to date average of 43.4° in the top 10 of all Januaries in Washington. Heating degree days, a measure of the amount of fuel required for heating, are down 28% from average.

As noted in yesterday's Today in Weather History, the long-term averages have now begun their gradual climb toward the annual peak in August. For the snow lovers, however, there's still February to look forward to.

CapitalWeather.com chart from NWS data, photo © Kevin Ambrose