Maybe May, Maybe Not

Now

Mostly sunny. The May temperature rollercoaster continues. After chilly lows of 49° at National and 40° at Dulles, temperatures have rebounded nicely to more nearly average May levels this afternoon, despite some high clouds drifting in from the northwest. Mid afternoon readings are mostly in the low 70s. Radar is generally dry; a small area of showers across the eastern WV panhandle has apparently dissipated. Westerly flow will bring in warmer air tomorrow from the Midwest, where readings were well into the 80s today, with upper 80s reaching as far north as central Minnesota.

Temperature chart at 4pm today from Unisys

Tonight and Tomorrow

Partly cloudy, becoming much warmer. Under partly cloudy skies, lows tonight will be in the mid to upper 50s in urban areas and lower 50s to near 50° in the cooler 'burbs. Tomorrow will be sunny and warmer with highs in the low to mid 80s.

For the outlook through the rest of the week and into the weekend, scroll on down to Jason's post below.

Law of Unintended Consequences

The lead A1 article, "Federal Loans for Coal Plants Clash With Carbon Cuts", in today's WaPo describes how a Depression-era subsidy intended to bring electricity to rural areas is now subsidizing coal plants at the expense of CO₂-reducing energy alternatives. By providing the additional energy needed for new ethanol production, these coal plants are even undermining the effectiveness of biofuels in reducing CO₂ emissions.