Today, warm temperatures made a comeback in the DMV with highs soaring into the upper 60s and sunny skies to boot. By the time the clock struck noon, clouds started to move in as an approaching weather system make made it’s way closer to us. High temperatures have been about 15 – 20 degrees above average for this time of year (making us wonder where winter has gone). The last time the College Park area saw snowflakes was February 16 (and those were only flurries). February 2017 had 21 above-average temperature days (average high is only around 44-46 degrees).
Graphic by NOAA NWS, Highs for Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017
Through Tonight: Bring your umbrella to those evening classes! Showers and a possible rumble of thunder will barrel through the DMV tonight bringing temperatures down to about 58 degrees. The soggy weather will stick around until about 10 PM before clearing out leaving cloudy skies behind for the rest of the night. Light winds will blow out of the Southwest at 5-10 mph.
Graphic by TROWAL – UMD Weather, 7 PM tonight 3-hour precip totals
Tomorrow (Wednesday): If you’ve been wishing for summer to be here already, Mother Nature has granted your wish (at least temporarily). March is set to roll in with warm air and the chance for severe weather on Wednesday. Forget the winter coat because the high temperature in College Park will be around 78 degrees. Clouds will blanket the region all day, helping to hold quite a bit of heat near the ground. Winds will be breezy, staying between 12 and 18 mph, with gusts up to 34 mph especially during the early afternoon hours. Our area is currently under a slight risk for severe weather meaning there is a 15% chance of development of severe storms on Wednesday. If the ingredients are just right, these storms have the ability to produce strong winds, large hail and the possible isolated tornado. Keep an eye on the sky because the best chance for seeing the active weather is between 9 AM and 9 PM on Wednesday, when everyone is out walking around campus. “If thunder roars, go indoors,” because lightning is very dangerous an no one wants to be caught in the rain.
