Scattered Storms, Then No Regrets

Now

Muggy, scattered showers. Once again, lunch time popup thunderstorms have knocked temperatures back down from earlier highs in parts of the metro area, while other places, especially to the north and west, have remained dry. National, which received 0.73" yesterday, got another 0.40" in today's storm, but Dulles and large parts of Montgomery County are still bone dry. Temperatures at mid afternoon varied widely from the low 80s where it had rained to 90° on the southern fringes of the region, such as Stafford and Culpeper.

Scattered storms, which are breaking out ahead of a cold front marching steadily eastward from the Ohio Valley, are likely to affect at least parts of the area through this evening, followed by cooler and drier conditions tomorrow.

Tonight and Tomorrow

Muggy, chance of thunderstorms, then less humid. After a 60% chance of showers or thunderstorms through this evening, skies will gradually clear towards morning with lows in the upper 60s in town to the low 60s in the 'burbs. Tomorrow will be mostly sunny and much less humid with highs 83-87°.

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

Rainfall Report

While National (0.73") and especially BWI (1.84") were in the bullseye for yesterday's storms, many area lawns and gardens are still feeling neglected. Most places north and west of the Beltway received little or no rain.

Precipitation in 24 hr. ending 8am this morning from NWS Experimental Precipitation Analysis.

Tropical Trouble

Today's WaPo Federal Diary recaps the National Hurricane Center Proenza affair, but as has been the case all along, the best reporting on the subject continues to be by Martin Merzer in the McClatchy Company's Miami Herald. Today's Herald article, "Proenza: I have no regrets", includes an interview with the former Director in which he refuses to apologize for his earlier criticism of NOAA, but does reaffirm his confidence in the capabilities of the NHC. The article says that Proenza has been ordered "not to communicate with the staff of the hurricane center in any way."

The issues with NHC are much more complicated than classic whistle-blowing, but it is becoming increasingly clear that "government science" is firmly establishing its position along with "military intelligence" in the ranks of oxymoronism.

Click on "Comment" below for more current links on Proenza.