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the WebmasterHere is a description of the type of information contained on each of the pages on this web site. Please read through all of the information prior to e-mailing the webmaster for help.
Forecasts | Current Weather | Past Weather | Severe | Radar | Boating/Marine | Rivers/Hydrology | Aviation | Computer Models | Skywarn | NOAA Weather Radio | Fire Weather | Winter Weather | Storm Reports | Satellite | Upper Air | Classroom | OnLine Tour | Ask Meteorologist | NWS Map | Road Conditions | Historic Events | Wx Calculator | Weather Definitions | Heat Safety | S.W.E.P. | Archives | Snow History | Pollen Count | Drought
Forecasts
The main page contains several methods of getting the latest forecast
for the county/city you are interested in.
Most Forecasts now go through the next 7 days.
1. First is a map of our forecast area where you click the
county and the 7 day forecast is generated. Also included are
the current weather conditions and any other significant information affecting
that county.
2. Next are links for the Washington and Baltimore city forecasts.
4. Next is a table where you can click on one of the states listed to view the
forecast for all counties in that state.
5. State forecasts are almost the same thing.
6. Travelers forecast for Selected cities pulls up a listing of many cities
around the country for the next 2 days. I'm traveling to Seattle
tomorrow, what can I expect? It's here!
7. Mountains/Skyline Drive forecast for the Shenandoah National Park.
8. Latest Public information statement from Sterling
9. Most recent Ultraviolet Index Forecast- How fast you'll get burned in the
sun.
10. 6-10 Day, 30 day and Seasonal outlook maps from the Climate Prediction
Center. These are maps of temperatures and precipitation and expected
departures from the Normal. Typical question here is; "I'm getting
married in 8 months, what will the weather be like?".
11. The latest Forecast Discussion. These are in plain language and
code giving the thinking behind each forecast from each office. We do NOT
offer explanation of any terms used in each discussion.
Current Weather
Latest hourly weather conditions for many locations around the area.
If you need Wind Chill or Heat Index conditions, this is the place to find it. The
remarks section may contain something like this; "TC 15". That would
be the latest Wind Chill value for that location meaning the wind chill is 15
degrees. Most links include the current temperature, dew point, winds and
any weather that is occurring along with the barometric pressure.
Included, if you scroll down, are the previous 24 hours weather conditions.
Past Weather Data - Climate Data
This section contains all of the past weather data we have available from
our office for each of the locations listed. If you want to know what the
temperatures were on a certain day, how much rain or snow fell, how many heating
and/or cooling degree days there were for a location, you'll find it here.
Each location also contains the average temperature, total rain/snow and number
of heat/cool degree days for each location for the month you select.
The tables are sorted by month with the last two digits of the year as a clickable
link. The monthly links contain all of the data we have for EACH DAY of
that month. So if you want to know how much snow fell in Washington in
March of 1996, you click on the Washington DC link, then using the table, click
on the 96 in the March box and the data for each day of that month will come
up. The data provided are NOT official so cannot be used for litigation
but we do try to have the most complete data available.
IN ADDITION - on the Washington, Baltimore and Dulles pages
are the Normals, Means and Extremes for each location by month. So what is
the average rainfall for Baltimore in July? Click on the July link and
you'll know.
ALSO - we have the complete monthly totals for each location since records were
started for Washington, Baltimore and Dulles. These pages have the monthly
temperature, rainfall and snowfall pages for each site. The data for
Washington starts in 1871 through now.
If you need to know on what day your house or car received hail or wind damage, you should check our Storm Reports page.
Any severe warnings or watches in effect? If so, they're here! Also have the Severe weather Discussions for the next day's potential for severe weather.
Links to the latest Sterling radar. Base Reflectivity is the latest radar image available. The Loops are here but will take a minute or so to load...especially with a dial-up modem connection.
Boating/Marine
Latest forecast for the Tidal Potomac, Chesapeake Bay,
Offshore waters and High Seas. Also have all available Tide information as
well as Buoy observations for the area.
New! Chesapeake Bay Operational Forecast System - Predicts water levels on the
Bay.
Rivers/Hydrology
River levels and rainfall reports from around the area. Latest river summary and forecast. Basin map. Flood statements and warnings. Anything to do with River levels, stages, etc. is on this page. Also have complete descriptions of many gauge locations.
Mainly for pilots use! Terminal forecasts for airports in the region. Also, Airmets, Sigmets, Sig Wx progs, TWEB routes, Turbulence and Icing forecasts.
Computer Models
Look at some of the models that are used to help make the forecast. No explanations of data are provided.
This section deals with a specialized program for volunteer weather spotters who assist the Weather Service by reporting severe weather and damage reports when significant weather happens in the area. Many HAM radio operators are also Skywarn observers.
NOAA Weather Radio
What is NWR? Where are they broadcast from? Where are the transmitters? Need to program the SAME codes into your new weather radio? Common questions about Weather Radio. Find it all here.
Specialized page for Forestry managers.
Information on surviving winter weather, travel tips, explanation of terms, preparing for winter, big winter storms. Why the area gets what it gets.
This section contains a narrative of significant weather across the area, by month, and all are in Adobe Acrobat format. When did we have that big hail storm? What day did the winds blow the siding off my house? When did that tornado happen? You'll probably find what you need in this section.
Latest satellite images...visible, infra-red, water vapor, etc.
Links to all available upper air soundings/rawinsonde reports are here.
This area is geared toward teachers, students, and weather enthusiasts that want to explore the how's and why's of the atmosphere.
What does a weather forecast office look like? How do we do what we do? This virtual tour of our office should give you an idea.
This as an e-mail link where students can ask us a question and we'll do our best to answer it. We are unable to provide it as a Bulletin Board. Sorry.
This link pulls up a graphical map of all NWS offices across the country. Click on any of the circles to visit that office web site.
This is a new feature link to the Federal Highway Administration's web site listing traffic and road closure information for the entire U.S.
Information on big snow storms, tornado's, floods, and Inauguration weather conditions.
Wx Calculator
A Java program where you input specific numbers and get a value. It is set up to convert temperatures, relative humidity, wind chill and heat index.
Weather Definitions
What exactly is a Watch? What is a Warning? When does a snowstorm become a Blizzard? When do we issue a severe thunderstorm warning? All weather conditions that may impact you are defined here.
Tips on heat safety. What to wear, what to drink, staying cool, etc.
Severe Weather Emergency Plan. While it is designed specifically for schools, the principles used can be applied to any facility that is used by people including businesses, shopping malls, depots, hotels and hospitals.
Maps of various weather events such as snow, tornado paths, etc. Also have reports on many major weather events that happened in the area.
Details on the biggest snow storms to hit the area.
A link to the most recent pollen count data for Washington DC. The Weather Service does not collect this data so we have this link when allergies bother you.
Drought
Links and information on what constitutes a drought. Also has long
term drought forecast.
Email
the Webmaster
July 19, 2003