Here's the statistic Bob Ryan was probably referring to last night: In 54 years of history, Washington National has averaged 0.2 thunderstorms in January out of the 30.6 total per year. This is now the third time thunder has been reported this month. Thunder was last observed in January before this year on New Year's Day, 2003.CapitalWeather.com chart from NWS data
Following the fast-moving cold front which passed through last night, it's a blustery January day in the Washington DC metro area, but temperatures are close to seasonal levels, in the low 40s. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph in some places are making it feel a lot colder. With a low of 35 last night, whether today becomes only the second day this month of below-average temperatures depends on how cold it gets before midnight.
A few snow flurries are widely scattered around the area, but most of the activity is west of the Shenandoah Valley. Hagerstown was reporting 1¾ mile visibility in light snow around 3:30.
Tonight and Tomorrow
Lows tonight should be in the upper 20s with partly cloudy skies and diminishing winds. Tomorrow will be sunny with highs in the low 40s.Broadcast News
Set the TiVo! From the WaPo TV listings comes the news that Doug Hill has escaped the 2½ minute straightjacket to host a 30 minute special about the WeatherBug network tonight. The show is on at 8:00, Channel 7. Way to go, Doug!DC Comics
Tom Toles has a cartoon in today's WaPo on the subject of the Katrina reports we mentioned yesterday.
