Now
Variable clouds, warm. Continuing the October trend of double-digit departures from average temperatures, November has begun with readings above the high end of the forecast range. Just ahead of a cold frontal passage, National was at 73° at 3:00, while Dulles had dropped to 62°, and Leesburg was down to 59°. Despite some associated clouds, the front was rain-free through the entire Mid Atlantic area. The latest weekly drought monitor report, released this morning, shows that last week's torrential rains have improved the immediate metro area into the abnormally dry category with some areas of only moderate drought to the northwest and southeast.
CapitalWeather.com chart from NWS data, photo © Kevin Ambrose
Tonight and Tomorrow
Clearing, cooler. Skies will clear tonight with lows in the mid 40s in the city to the mid and upper 30s in the 'burbs. Tomorrow will be mostly sunny, breezy, and cool with highs 56-60°. For the outlook through the weekend and beyond with Larson's Long-Range, scroll on down to Josh's post below.
Tropical Topics
Tropical Storm Noel strengthened somewhat today as it began to accelerate toward the north-northeast, passing over Nassau early this afternoon. As a result, the tropical storm warning for southeastern Florida was cancelled at 2pm, but a gale warning has been issued for Bermuda. Maximum winds at 2pm were 65 mph; the National Hurricane Center was unreachable for the 5pm report, at least from this particular corner of cyberspace. As it moves northeastward toward the Canadian Maritimes and becomes non-tropical, the models indicate that it will potentially undergo bombogenesis.
Science vs. Religion?
The AP reported last night (via virtual WaPo) that "Religious Leaders Act on Climate Change". A broadly ecumenical coalition of religious organizations have joined to lobby Congress to "ensure that the poor and most vulnerable are protected from the effects of climate change."
The week's edition of NOW on PBS featured the journey in August of "an unlikely alliance of Evangelical Christians and leading scientists to witness the breathtaking effects of global warming on Alaska's rapidly changing environment." Video and audio podcasts are available on the show's web site.
Clear, warmer. As a strong high pressure ridge remains in control, it's a crystal clear pre-Halloween afternoon in the Nation's Capital region. Virtually the only precipitation in the entire country is in the form of some showers in the northern Rockies and in southern Florida. Locally, temperatures have rebounded over 20° from the frosty lows to reach seasonable levels of the low and mid 60s. 
No tricks! Lows tonight under clear skies will be not quite as cool as recent nights, in the mid 40s downtown to the mid 30s in the 'burbosphere. Halloween will be a treat: sunny and a little warmer with highs 68-72°.
Don't want to get your climate change information from a former politician, but you don't want it filtered through the press, the Drudge Report, or squawk radio either, and you also don't have the time (or expertise) to read the original literature? Here's a chance to get a comprehensive college-level presentation on the subject (no prerequisites or exams required) at a bargain price: 
Clear, crisp. After being in strong contention for one of the driest Octobers in history, this month has come roaring back as the ninth wettest in 137 years of records. The 6.18" storm total at National, nearly half of which fell from Friday evening through Saturday morning, was enough to push the fall total so far (September-October) about half an inch above average, although the yearly total is still 4.78" below normal. The other major reporting stations had somewhat lower amounts: 3.17" at Dulles and 5.44" at BWI. The 2.65" 24-hour amount on Friday at National was a new record for the date.
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