WHEN WILL ISAAC REACH THE DC AREA?, TROPICAL STORM LESLIE UPDATE - BETHESDA WEATHER FORECAST

The big question has been, will the remnants of Hurricane Isaac hit Bethesda, and if so, when?

The center of Tropical Depression Isaac is currently over Ohio.  Some outer clouds and precipitation associated with Isaac may reach us later today, but the heavier rains will come Tuesday.  My Bethesda Forecast below will have more specifics of what to expect throughout the day.

One piece of good news, is that the National Hurricane Center has again adjusted the amount of rainfall Isaac is expected to drop on the DC area, from 2" to 1.75" over the next few days.  Assuming no stallouts in the atmosphere, that should reduce the risk of local flooding.

As Isaac moves closer to the Mid-Atlantic tonight, rains will become heavier into tomorrow.

BETHESDA STORM CENTER

LESLIE UPDATE

Leslie has again declined to strengthen into a hurricane.  In fact, its winds have dropped to 60 MPH!  The bad news is that Leslie has slowed almost 50%, which will allow it to strengthen as it enters warmer waters.  However, the National Hurricane Center says it does not expect Leslie to strengthen today or Tuesday.  If you're reading this in the northern Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, Leslie is passing you by, but be alert for swells and rip currents at local beaches.

LOCATION:  610 miles SSE of Bermuda

WINDS:  60 MPH

MOVING:  NNW at 8 MPH

BETHESDA FORECAST

Your umbrella is still your best friend today!  This morning, it will be mostly cloudy, with patchy fog and some showers.  After 11 AM or later, showers and thunderstorms.  There is a 70% chance of rain, with cloudy skies the rest of the time.  High 82, 6-9 MPH breeze.

Tonight, cooler and cloudy, with a 5-7 MPH breeze.  Thunderstorm possible before midnight, and showers possible after midnight.

Make sure to follow @BethesdaRow on Twitter, and stay tuned here for Bethesda weather and hurricane updates.

BETHESDA LABOR DAY WEEKEND FORECAST, WILL ISAAC REMNANTS HIT BETHESDA, TROPICAL STORM LESLIE - DC BETHESDA WEATHER

The Labor Day Weekend weather forecast for Bethesda and the DC area is slightly better than expected.  Uncertainty remains about just  how much rain Isaac will bring, when its remnants arrive sometime around Monday morning.

While Isaac is expected to drop 8-12" of rain where it meanders in the midwest, NOAA's weather model is predicting only .10" of Isaac-related precipitation in our area through Tuesday.  Yes, that's a decimal point before the numbers.

Is that an accurate prediction?

I'm still skeptical.  There are at least a couple of atmospheric conditions expected over us that could cause Isaac, and non-Isaac-related rainshowers, to stall out in our vicinity.

There's also the unknown of whether there will be the potential of tornados spawning.  If I had to guess, I would say right now, that is unlikely.  But we won't know for sure, until we see what happens when Isaac hits those other atmospheric conditions.

Here's what to expect this holiday weekend:

High of 95 today, sun, and a 10-15 MPH breeze.

Tonight, mostly clear, low 70s, 5-10 MPH breeze.

Saturday, partly sunny, upper 80s, 5-10 MPH breeze.

Saturday night, mostly cloudy, upper 60s, 5-10 MPH breeze.

Sunday, it's hopeful the Bethesda Central Farm Market can get through the Bake Bethesda a Pie Contest, before rain hits.  40% chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms.

Sunday night, mostly cloudy, upper 60s, 40% chance of showers/thunderstorms.

Labor Day - this is when Isaac might make his entrance.  Mostly cloudy, high of 85, 50% chance of scattered thunderstorms through the evening.

We also have another storm to monitor:

BETHESDA STORM CENTER

LESLIE UPDATE

Tropical Storm Leslie is likely to strengthen into a hurricane by the end of the day.  Leslie may hit Bermuda, but forecasters say it poses no threat to the East Coast.  I'm not so sure about that, but we'll find out soon enough.

LOCATION:  940 miles E of the Leeward Islands

WINDS:  65 MPH

MOVING: WNW at 16 MPH

Stay tuned here and on Twitter at @BethesdaRow for the latest Bethesda hurricane and weather news, and have a great Labor Day Weekend!!!

WILL BETHESDA HAVE BLUE MOON VIEWING WEATHER FRIDAY? WHEN WILL ISAAC HIT DC AREA? - BETHESDA WEATHER

What is a Blue Moon, and when will you be able to see it here in Bethesda and the DC area?

We'll have a Blue Moon here Friday (August 31).  There are several types of Blue Moons, but in Friday's case, it means this is a rare, second Full Moon within the month.

Blue Moons aren't actually blue (I know, I'm disappointed like you), but they are beautiful.

Fortunately, we'll have great Blue Moon-viewing weather here in Bethesda tomorrow.  It will be sunny all day, with highs in the mid-90s, but a cool 10-15 MPH breeze.

Be watching the Moon at 9:48 AM - yes, AM - when the Full Blue Moon will be at its fullest!

Friday night, it will be mostly clear with lows in the 60s, and winds 5-10 MPH.

Count on Bethesda to find a way to celebrate the Blue Moon:

Blue Moon specials at Freddy's Lobster on Cordell Ave.!

BETHESDA STORM CENTER

ISAAC UPDATE

Isaac is now a weakening Tropical Storm.  It is still headed NW, and every minute it does that is an extra minute of good weather you'll have this weekend.  Although it will disintegrate into a mass of clouds, it will still pack flooding potential by the time it reaches the DC area Sunday or Monday.

TROPICAL STORM ISAAC BULLETIN

LOCATION: OVER LOUISIANA

WINDS:  45 MPH

MOVING:  NW at 8 MPH

Tune your Twitter to @BethesdaRow and stay tuned to the blog this weekend, for urgent Bethesda weather and Isaac updates!