Welcome

The Washington Area has been my home for over 20 years and I’ve always found severe weather to be fascinating.  I love a good snow storm and issue my winter outlook every Fall.

I continue to learn about the weather every day and have taken several post graduate meteorology courses.

The weather in the National Capital Region is dynamic, changes rapidly and can prove very challenging to forecast.

Sometimes I’ve been surprised by the lack of warning provided by meteorologists before significant weather strikes.

Several historic weather events below helped to put my website on the radar of over one million visitors and counting.

If you have comments or questions about the weather please feel free to drop me a line.

Thank you for visiting DC Storms and if you enjoyed my website I’d  appreciate you spreading the word to your friends and family.

 

“Commutageddon” 26 January 2011

On 24 January I predicted four to eight inches of heavy snow would fall across the DC Region, two days prior to the quick-hitting storm that left some commuters stranded in their cars for over eight hours.

commutageddon

(Photo courtesy, Jay Wescott, NWS)

The Derecho of 29 June 2012

Just after 1630 on 29 June I gave advanced warning for the increasing probability of a widespread damaging wind event across the Washington Area before Severe Thunderstorm Watches were issued.

derecho_29june122

The Blizzard of 22 January 2016

The morning of 17 January I posted “Who Wants 15 to 20″ of Snow later this Week?” well before anyone had put out their snowfall maps.

No meteorologist has a perfect track record and there are times when the forecast models are not in agreement with regard to exact storm track creating headaches for very talented forecasters.

With that said, I have found that much of the public’s frustration here in DC is caused by weather events where forecasters are afraid of over-promising snowfall accumulations. This conundrum is also known as “the politics of weather forecasting” and has led to nightmare commutes on our area roadways.

The goal of DC Storms is to provide analysis and insight ahead of significant weather events here in the Nation’s Capital because there is always a storm brewing in Washington.

 

 

19 thoughts on “Welcome”

  1. Mike D

    Hey Tim. I have been following you for over 10 years. In 2015 I moved to Ocean City. Can you expand your map of this storm to the shore? I am referring to the storm predicted for Jan 31st.

    Thanks for the great work.

  3. B W

    Hi Tim,
    Thank you for continuing to provide forecasts and updates unencumbered by the politics of weather. You should follow the school districts on Facebook and watch what happens when the official forecasters miss it.
    I share your information on Facebook to supplement the official weatherguess and it seems to be well received. So keep up the good work, we enjoy it very much!

  6. GT

    Tim,

    There are those of us at the office who offer snow dances throughout each winter asking Chione, goddess of snow, to turn your predictions of heavy and deep snow accumulations into reality allowing us a day or two off from work! Additionally, I reverently fire up my 22″ deluxe two-stage, multi-speed (with hand warmer grips and adjustable spot lights) snow blower revving the motor out of respect at the first sight of flurries hoping to encourage those little guys to bring all their friends.

    Donning our hats, boots, and gloves with sleds at the ready, we await your next prediction!

    Your faithful snow loving follower

  8. Aaron

    Thank you for clear, concise and thoughtful forecasts. I plow snow in NOVA and have to say you are one of my top three forecasters when it comes to winter weather. I quit watching/listening to Bob Ryan long ago. It’s you, Bastardi and Margusity. Thanks again!

  9. Rob

    Great site, Tim! You do a wonderful job of presenting your analysis in clear and well-thought out logic. Keep up the great work.

  10. Julia

    Hi Tim, thank you for all of your work this winter. And congratulations on being the only source to get yesterday’s storm right. You have really helped my astraphobia (yes, there is such a thing) by helping me to appreciate, respect, and understand weather. After having three trees land on my house in 2010, and getting caught on Connecticut Ave. in the derecho, I’m especially concerned about severe thunderstorms. I continue to spread the word about your site. Thank you!

  12. Anonymous

    Really enjoy and appreciate the information you have provided Tim this winter season. I stumbled across your site and have checked in pretty consistently ever since. I appreciate the in depth information and analysis you provide. Very impressive. I find your analysis to be more informative than the local weather providers. Keep up the excellent work!

  13. Anonymous

    Congratulations on being the most accurate of any other weather source. Thank you for explaining the models. I’ve learned a lot since discovering your site and have passed it on to everyone I know. I wish I’d known about you during the derecho.

  15. Bryan

    Hi Tim. Great site! Frankly I don’t go anywhere else. I truly appreciate your explanations of the ‘why’. Really insightful. Nice job and keep it up!!

  16. cek260

    I like your site (or rather insight)… it’s gotta be a lot to keep up, but when you do update it, it’s a good read.

  17. Ed

    Hi Tim. When it comes to weather prediction, I know nothing, but have always followed the forecast for the Washington area over the last 40 years. You are correct saying that it is generally difficult to predict the major storms. I’ve found no one that seems to get it right consistently. I’ve used three sites for the last ten years, but have recently added yours because I like the very local detail. Thanks for putting out the effort. Keep up the great work.

  18. Garry

    Thanks for taking the time and caring about getting the forecasts right. Oh and keep the 24 inch snowfalls to a minimum this winter.

  19. Dave

    You do a great job..love your accuracy. Thanks for taking the time to give us these great weather updates. I look here first for our local DC weather. Have waited for the cold cycle to return…would love to see some deep snow here again.

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