Well, I'm getting mixed messages. While some weather sources report that there is some 50 percent chance of scattered showers, the National Weather Service has opted to naysay and release a coastal flood advisory for the D.C. metropolitan area, including Southern Baltimore, the counties of Prince George's, Fairfax, Arlington, Prince William, Calvert and St. Mary's, and the cities of Alexandria, Falls Church and Manassas. The advisory, which is on until 8 p.m. tonight, calls for tides one to two feet above normal and minor flooding along shorelines. After 8 p.m. tonight, a coast flood watch takes over through Sunday evening. more ›

If you haven't been tuned into the news this holiday evening, you may have missed the National Weather Service having upgraded the winter storm watch for the metro area to a warning. The warning, in effect from 4 a.m. Sunday to 6 a.m. Monday, calls for snow accumulations of 6 to 10 inches, depending on the region and how the storm develops in the upcoming hours. Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell has also gone ahead and declared a state of emergency, anticipating up to 12'' of snow and large amounts of holiday traffic. The District Department of Transportation expects to send out road salting crews later tonight, with full deployment tomorrow morning, as the accumulation develops. more ›

Calling all atmospheric sciences geeks: the National Weather Service recently moved in to fancy new headquarters in Sterling, Va., and they're throwing an open house this weekend that's open to the public. more ›

Our Pilgrim cousins to the north have been having all the wintry fun of late. While we sit here in the mid-Atlantic frantically wondering if we'll get snow instead of an annoying, ice-cold spritz, Boston gets about eight inches of commute-snarling precip. Why do they get all the snow AND all the good sports teams? more ›

If you don't have your milk, toilet paper and candles, Washington, you are so screwed. Why? 'Cause it's (probably) gonna snow. The local weather prediction deities at CapitalWeather are calling for a 70 percent chance of snow in the area Wednesday, with a 50-50 chance that we'll get more than an inch of snow. And as we all know, just like a child can drown in three inches of water, Washington can work itself into... more ›

Good morning, Washington. Not that you could have missed the fact that it's awfully windy this morning after yesterday's late fall rainstorm, but the National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for the metro area, effective through 1 a.m. Tuesday morning — this wind will consistently be 25-30 mph until late tonight, with gusts over 46 mph expected. If you drive an SUV or another type of high profile vehicle, you're asked to use... more ›

>> The D.C. Fire Department and WASA have finally agreed to play nice and share their toys and fix the city's terrible fire hydrant mess. We promise to provide the warm cookies and cold milk should they succeed. [WaPo] >> The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch to remain in effect through Saturday morning for much of the D.C. area. [NBC4] >> The sidewalk of 7th St. NW in front of the... more ›

In case you missed the news yesterday, the Washington Post has devoted an extraordinary amount of front page column inches to the record breaking temperatures D.C. saw yesterday. At 12:05 p.m. on Wednesday, the temperature hit 102 degrees at Reagan National Airport, according to the National Weather Service, breaking the previous all time high record for Aug. 8, of 101 degrees, set in 1930. The oppressive heat also had a number of other newsworthy... more ›

Good morning, Washington, and welcome to a world with a new home run record. That's right: Barry Bonds hit his 756th career homer last night against our very own Washington Nationals. We're sure there are some mixed feelings among the Nats today about being immortalized in a video clip that'll likely be replayed for decades to come. Four Shot During National Night Out: Last night was the National Night Out, a crime-prevention event where citizens... more ›

To be honest, Washington, it's taking everything we've got not to put up eight or nine posts today just indulging in our need to whine about how nasty hot it is outside. Apparently the humidity today and tomorrow is going to be so intense, it could feel like it's 105 degrees. Can we all agree that this is not OK? OK. Thanks. We'll move on to the headlines then, and by "move on" we don't... more ›

>> The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for the District of Columbia until 8:00 p.m. >> Travis Morrison's new album is now up on his web site. >> 72 D.C. public schools are failing federal standards in reading, math and other basic education goals. [Examiner] >> Comcast has officially changed the terms of their subscription agreement with customers, meaning you lose the right to sue Comcast, while Comcast retains the... more ›

>> Fort Reno has The Caribbean, Len Bias and The Ardennes. But the National Weather Service has a Severe Thunder Storm Watch from 2 to 9 p.m., so you might want to hedge your bets and make a back-up plan. >> Ohio's alt-country rawkers Two Cow Garage stop by the Red and the Black tonight, with Minneapolis' Birthday Suits and Richmond's Clint Maul for what should be a loud, fun show all around. $8,... more ›

At first today's forecast just looked a little bit annoying: a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms in the late afternoon which, in the words of our esteemed pals at CapitalWeather.com, we'd venture to say "those odds are too low to go changing any plans yet, but high enough to keep an eye to the sky and on radar just in case." In other words, we're packing up to head to a barbecue right now, potential... more ›

>> Vice President Dick Cheney is claiming that, for the purposes of securing classified information, his office is not part of the executive branch. Exactly which branch are you in then, Mr. Vice President? [Raw Story] >> Are you ready for another severe thunderstorm alert? The National Weather Service just issued one from now until 10 p.m. >> There's a book launch party tonight for Murray Waas' The United States vs. I. Lewis Libby. Somehow... more ›

>> Given how notoriously bad our area's traffic is, nothing is more frustrating than rubberneckers who slow down to stare at every blow out and speeding ticket they pass. This morning along the Dulles Toll Road, however, they had something legitimately interesting to look at. $5 bucks says she names the kid Hunter. [NBC4] >> Teenage mutant ninja whippets. Bullies on the half shell. Puppy power! [International Herald Tribune] >> If you live in... more ›

Good morning, Washington. Today is the day of the Voting Rights March. If you can, gather at Freedom Plaza at 2:30 p.m. to march to the capitol with your friends from DCist and other Washingtonians. Or, just meet us for the rally planned at 4 p.m. at the Capitol Reflecting Pool. Either way, we hope you make it out for at least one hour to show your support for District voting rights. Don't let this... more ›

This storm is a result of an Alberta Clipper, an icy snowball of hate fueled both by the Great Lakes and Canada's disdain for our country's politics and our people's obliviousness to them unless there's a war on. The storms are usually fast moving, but this one appears to be eating up a good chunk of latitude, so expect the snow to last all day; we advise leaving the car at home and taking Metro. more ›

And a glorious Friday to you, Washington. Granted, it's not exactly pleasant out right now, but we're going to boldly agree completely with the National Weather Service about tomorrow: highs in the mid-50s, with plenty of sun (peeking through a few clouds). We'll take it. After the week we've had, we would have taken Antarctica, just as long as we got to sleep in a little and not have to think about work for at... more ›

Cheer up, Washington. Despite the Auntie Em! force winds (that's National Weather Service nomenclature) and the promise of D.C.'s favorite weather forecast on Sunday, the non-committal "wintry mix," we've seen the promised land of spring. A few late season death rattles can't take that away. They say that late January is the most depressing time of the year for most people. But with the continued cold, getting stuck in the ice daily last week, those drivers whose IQs seem to drop into an abyss at the first sign of precipitation, late February may be the most angry time of year. Soon enough, though, you'll forget all about everyone who has wronged you because you can finally sit outside and have lunch again, and you'll still have all that daylight to work with after you get out of the office. Just please do your best to not follow the poor example of the quote of the week, and try to control all that built up winter frustration until spring arrives for good. more ›

Not to alarm you, gentle readers, but the Snowpocalypse is nigh. The National Weather Service has already issued a winter storm watch for the entire area beginning late tonight and lasting through Wednesday morning. Forecasters aren't certain they want to label it an exclusively snow event, or if we can expect a wintry mix, which, by the way, is our second favorite kind of mix, after margarita. CapitalWeather predicts the fluffy stuff will start falling in the wee hours of the morning and change to sleet and freezing rain as the day goes on. Predictions for total accumulation range from 4 to 6 inches, depending on who you listen to (Al Gore claims that the sea will rise 10 inches and polar bears everywhere will drown; Republican skeptics have called the warnings of snow an international conspiracy to slow the U.S. economy) and where you live. more ›

Our winter—which started in earnest only two weeks ago—has been particularly disappointing for all the schoolchildren in our region. Having become used to an irrational and debilitating fear of the slightest chance of snowfall on the part of school districts, kids in the D.C. area are hoping their little hearts out that this predicted weather system will move in and give us a nice blanketing. I mean, look at little Davy DCist in our picture there; he has prayed his own pants right off. That is dedication. more ›

Update: The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for southern Prince William County, specifically around Woodbridge (where the IKEA is). This follows warnings in Spotsylvania County, Fredericksburg, and Stafford County, so that means it's headed our direction. The storm is moving North at 60 m.p.h., so it may not be long before warnings are issued for our immediate area. We'll keep you apprised. Be careful going outside today, folks: The National Weather Service... more ›

Armageddon is once again upon us. America is on-edge, what with the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina this week, and it seems we can't wait for the next tragedy. Well, if you don't get an actual one, you might as well make one up. If you watch cable news, you'd think that Tropical Storm Ernesto was threatening the East Cost like a modern-day Krushchev. Here in the real world, Ernesto strolled through Florida, barely managing... more ›

Happy Hot as Hell Tuesday, everyone. Yes, it's going to 100 degrees today, with a heat index up around 110. The best advice is to stay inside whenever possible during what we like to call our Heat Emergency, but if you have to be outdoors, the National Weather Service advises drinking plenty of water, planning activities outside for the morning or evening and wearing loose, light-colored clothing and a hat. It's unfortunate that the current... more ›

The District has changed dramatically over the last few years, spurred in part by policies implemented by D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams. But what was once considered a trend that would help lift all boats is now seen as doing just the opposite, writes the Post. According to a poll they conducted, some 61 percent of voters see the city's many development projects as "mainly bad" for the poor, a dramatic shift from a similar poll... more ›

Like a villain in a predictable horror movie, Deluge '06 refuses to go away, even after being stabbed, burnt, and buried by angry villagers (us). After being practically washed away last week, Washington enjoyed a nearly precip-free streak of days, before yesterday afternoon's thunderstorms chased hordes of Jason Alexander fans from the Mall and let us all know that our sins had not yet been expunged. Those of you lucky enough to have window views... more ›

This is getting pretty ridiculous. The monsoon continues this afternoon and will intensify tonight, dropping comically high amounts of water on much of the region. The National Weather Service has extended its flash flood watch for the area through tomorrow morning, noting:THE HEAVIEST RAINFALL IS EXPECTED TO FALL EAST OF THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS WHERE AN ADDITIONAL 3 TO 5 INCHES ARE EXPECTED WITH ISOLATED TOTALS TO EIGHT INCHES NOT OUT OF THE QUESTION.That's how... more ›

The months since Hurricane Katrina have been filled with the fervor of apocalyptic millennialism for many weather geeks. The Weather Channel has been endlessly running a feature on how dreadful things would be if a Category Five storm trundled up the Hudson, leaving me, as a good Washingtonian, to mutter how Katrina on the Potomac wouldn't exactly be a bag of cupcakes. Newspapers carry, as the Post did yesterday, breathless stories on how the earth... more ›

This just in for your rush hour fun: the whole Washington area is under a tornado watch. "Those only happen in the Midwest," you say? Didn't you know you were reading Tulsaist? The National Weather Service has all the details on this evening's weather watch, which will last until midnight. If you want to see the storm for yourself, take a look at the radar image on CapitalWeather.com's front page. The region has a history... more ›

Has anyone else noticed the wind today? How could you not? Many of my officemates came in this morning looking very Flock of Seagulls after their short walk from the Metro. Along with the 80's hair, the wind has also brought us some extreme fire weather and thus a Red Flag Warning from the National Weather Service. Fortunately, none of my coworkers were flaming as they walked in, though no one can really get a... more ›