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Tag: eileen whelan

  • Bitter cold but bright skies expected in DC area – WTOP News

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    Bone-chilling cold is still on deck for residents across the D.C. area. Dress in layers and stay safe.

    Bone-chilling cold is still on deck for residents across the D.C. area.

    Yes, it’ll be sunny … but that’s not really going to help. A strong Arctic air mass remains locked over the region.

    A cold weather advisory is in effect until 11 a.m. Thursday. And another stretches from 7 p.m. until 11 a.m. Friday.

    The District hasn’t seen a long streak of cold weather like this since 1989, 7News First Alert Meteorologist Eileen Whelan said.

    Bundle up in layers, especially if you’re walking anywhere. Many pedestrian walkways and paths are still being cleared.

    There could be more winter weather over the weekend.

    “All eyes are on a coastal storm that’s expected to intensify rapidly off the North Carolina coastline,” 7News First Alert Meteorologist Steve Rudin said.

    Based on recent forecast models, Rudin said the storm will stay far enough east to limit potential impacts in the D.C. region.

    “However, if you do have plans that take you to Delmarva over the weekend, or the Outer Banks of North Carolina, could be a big winter weather maker,” Rudin said.



    Forecast

    THURSDAY
    Partly cloudy
    Highs: 23-28
    Winds: Northwest 5-15 mph
    A cold weather advisory remains in effect until 11 a.m., with sub-zero wind chills possible through the morning hours. Temperatures will start out in the single digits to low teens, then climb this afternoon, topping out in the mid-20s.

    OVERNIGHT
    Mainly clear
    Lows: 3-12
    Wind Chills: -10 to 0
    Winds: West 5-10 mph
    The cold weather express keeps rolling across the D.C. region Thursday night into early Friday morning, with frigid air locked in place for yet another round. Wind chills are forecast to stay below zero for much of the night. A cold weather advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service beginning at 7 p.m. and extending until Friday at 11 a.m.

    FRIDAY
    Partly cloudy
    Highs: 23-28
    Winds: Northwest 5-15 mph
    As the workweek wraps up, the cold isn’t letting up. Expect single-digit air temperatures early, along with sub-zero wind chills to start the morning. Even with some sunshine this afternoon, it will stay bitter—highs will run roughly 20 degrees below average for late January, so it will still feel like the deep freeze is firmly in place heading into the weekend.

    SATURDAY
    Mostly cloudy
    PM snow chance
    Highs: 17-22
    Winds: North 5-10 mph
    The First Alert Weather team will be watching for a coastal storm to begin taking shape near the Carolina coastline. For the D.C. region, Saturday is still trending toward limited impacts, since many model solutions keep the storm track just far enough offshore and/or south. Still, Saturday is the start of the window where even a small shift in the storm’s track could start to matter.

    SUNDAY
    Partly sunny, blustery
    Chance snow, mainly east of D.C.
    Highs: 20-25
    Winds: Northwest 15-20, gusts to 40 mph
    Sunday looks like the time when the storm would be strongest as it races northeast along or near the East Coast. If it comes far enough north, snow chances would be higher in the DMV on Sunday, and there could be a sharp cutoff—meaning some neighborhoods could see just a coating while others, not far away, could pick up several inches. Right now, the better odds for more impactful snow remain south of the D.C. region, mainly from southern Virginia into the Carolinas.

    Current Conditions

    WTOP’s Will Vitka and Ciara Wells contributed to this report.

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    © 2026 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Ciara Wells

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  • Showers exit DC area ahead of Fourth of July fireworks – WTOP News

    Showers exit DC area ahead of Fourth of July fireworks – WTOP News

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    Showers and storms appear to be moving out of the D.C. region this hot and humid Fourth of July after soaking rain impacted some outdoor celebrations.

    Thousands on the National Mall gathered ahead of D.C.’s fireworks celebrations were soaked by passing showers on July 4, 2024. (WTOP/Scott Gelman)

    A few lingering showers are wrapping up on this hot and humid Fourth of July after soaking rain and storms dampened some outdoor celebrations in the D.C. area earlier Thursday evening. Here’s what you need to know.

    People dressed in patriotic outfits huddled under umbrellas on the National Mall as rain plummeted on the crowd earlier Thursday evening.

    Any isolated showers and thunderstorms are expected to fall apart by sunset in time for the firework displays, according to 7News First Alert meteorologist Jordan Evans. Thousands of people are expected to gather on the mall to watch fireworks extravaganza in the nation’s capital.

    After a short break in the wet weather, a couple of storms could form once again overnight.

    The weather has cooled off and an earlier heat advisory across the region expired at 8 p.m. Temperatures are expected to be in the 70s overnight.

    Showers, storms disrupt July Fourth festivities

    The forecast prompted temporary adjustments ahead of “A Capitol Fourth,” according to a social media post from the U.S. Capitol Police. Police closed the entrance to the event for more than an hour Thursday. With the thunderstorms dissipating, police reopened the entrance and the concert is expected to start on time at 8 p.m. on CBS.

    The Fourth of July in the District concert on Pennsylvania Avenue was paused due to the wet weather. Mayor Muriel Bowser said in a social media post the rain has stopped and concert will go on.



    Those disruptions came after National Weather Service had forecast that some of the storms Thursday could produce strong, gusty winds, lightning and heavy rain.

    Poor air quality ahead of fireworks

    Earlier in the day, there was poor air quality in some areas. Northern Virginia and D.C. were under a Code Orange air quality alert, according to The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, while Maryland was only facing moderate air quality.

    “It’s Code Orange, which is unhealthy for sensitive groups,” said 7News First Alert Chief Meteorologist Veronica Johnson. “If you suffer from lung or heart issues, limit your time outdoors for today.”

    The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments said those sensitive groups also include the elderly, people with asthma, pregnant people and children.

    The poor air quality is due to particle pollutions, which the nonprofit Clean Air Partners said often occurs when fireworks meet hot weather.

    D.C.’s Department of Energy and Environment said that temporary air pollution levels spike around Independence Day and recommend that sensitive groups limit their time outside before and during fireworks shows. The department also recommends wearing an N95 or K-N95 mask to limit exposure to pollution.

    Looking ahead — Friday’s weather

    A hot and humid pattern is expected to continue throughout the weekend, with a chance of storms revisiting the D.C. area.

    “We are gonna be hot and humid Friday and Saturday with afternoon rain chances,” Whelan said. “Dry on Sunday with highs in the low 90s.”

    There will be another heat advisory on Friday with highs in the mid- to upper 90s and feels-like temperatures as high as 109, according to the National Weather Service.

    Current weather:

    Forecast:

    FOURTH OF JULY
    Partly cloudy
    Risk of showers, storms
    Highs: 90-95
    Heat Index: near 100-105
    Winds: Southwest 5-10 mph
    If thunder roars, head indoors. Fortunately, most of the rain and storm activity should be over by the time the fireworks go off in the 9 p.m. hour.

    Thursday NIGHT
    Mostly cloudy
    Lows: 75-80
    Winds: Southwest 5 mph
    It will be a warm and muggy night with lows in the 70s.

    FRIDAY
    HEAT ALERT
    Partly sunny
    PM storms
    Highs: 93-97
    Heat Index: 100-105
    Winds: Southwest 5-10 mph
    Plan for an even hotter and more humid day to round out the week. High temperatures will soar into the mid-90s, but with the humidity, feels-like temperatures will near 105 degrees. Additional chance for showers and storms are possible during the afternoon and early evening hours.

    SATURDAY
    Partly sunny
    Highs: 92-96
    Winds: Southwest 5-10 mph
    It will be another very hot and very humid day with feels like temperatures nearing 105 during the afternoon. An isolated shower or storm is possible.

    SUNDAY
    Partly to mostly sunny
    Highs: 90-95
    Winds: Northwest 5-10 mph
    A drop in humidity is expected to round out the weekend, which will be a welcome change. It will still be hot with afternoon highs in the low to mid 90s.

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    © 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Emily Venezky

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  • Play ball! Upgraded Nationals Park welcomes thousands of fans for home opener – WTOP News

    Play ball! Upgraded Nationals Park welcomes thousands of fans for home opener – WTOP News

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    Baseball fans across the D.C. area headed to Navy Yard on Monday afternoon as the Washington Nationals hosted their 2024 home opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

    A flag is unfurled before Opening Day at Nationals Park.
    (WTOP/Luke Lukert)

    WTOP/Luke Lukert

    Screech the eagle watching the field at Nats Park
    A mascot watches from the seats at Nationals Park during Opening Day on Monday, April 1.
    (WTOP/Luke Lukert)

    WTOP/Luke Lukert

    food
    Baseball fans got the chance to try out new bites on Opening Day at Nationals Park.
    (WTOP/Luke Lukert)

    WTOP/Luke Lukert

    Fans pour into Nationals Park on Opening Day in D.C.
    (WTOP/Kyle Cooper)

    WTOP/Kyle Cooper

    WTOP’s Kyle Cooper reported lines to get into the ballpark were long an hour before first pitch.
    (WTOP/Kyle Cooper)

    WTOP/Kyle Cooper

    A pep band treats fans outside the ballpark to music during a celebratory opening day in D.C.’s Navy Yard neighborhood.
    (WTOP/Kyle Cooper)

    WTOP/Kyle Cooper

    Baseball fans across the D.C. area headed to Navy Yard on Monday afternoon as the Washington Nationals hosted their 2024 home opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

    Former D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams threw out the ceremonial first pitch, while Mayor Muriel Bowser gave the call to “play ball!”

    The first pitch was thrown at 4:05 p.m.


    Listen live to WTOP for the latest sports at :25 and :55 every hour.


    Washington (1-2) was in last place for most of the 2023 season, but this spring, they find themselves ahead of the New York Mets (0-3) and Miami (0-4), after dropping two of three in Cincinnati.

    There’s more excitement surrounding the 2024 Nationals as opposed to last year’s team, according to WTOP Sports Reporter Dave Preston’s Nationals Notebook.

    Monday’s rain tapered off by the afternoon, just in time for the game, much to the delight of the thousands of fans who descended on Nats Park for the first home game of the year.


    Listen live to WTOP for the latest traffic and weather on the 8s.


    Park gates opened at 2 p.m. Pregame ceremonies, including a U.S. military flyover, started around 3:30 p.m.

    The first 20,000 fans who arrived received an Opening Day reversible bucket hat, thanks to sponsor PenFed.

    The team also finally got the chance to show off some futuristic technology that will greet fans each game when they show up to Nationals Park this season.

    Using technology called “Go-Ahead Entry,” fans no longer need to show their ticket in order to enter the stadium — all they need to do is show their face. But not every entrance will be equipped with the cutting-edge technology, meaning fans who don’t want to participate don’t have to, according to WTOP Reporter Nick Iannelli.

    Inside the stadium, the most noticeable change is the new, high-resolution scoreboard.

    WTOP’s Dave Preston, Nick Iannelli and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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    © 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Matt Small

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