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.

TROPICAL STORM LESLIE UPDATE, WHERE IS ISAAC?, BETHESDA WEATHER DC FORECAST

BETHESDA STORM CENTER

LESLIE UPDATE

Tropical Storm Leslie continues to defy all predictions, failing to strengthen into a hurricane again Saturday.  Leslie is now expected to avoid a direct hit on the Leeward Islands, but there could be swells coming ashore in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rican islands such as Vieques and Culebra.

LOCATION:  295 miles NNE of Leeward Islands

WINDS:  70 MPH

MOVING:  NW at 15 MPH

WHERE IS ISAAC?

Isaac is currently over Mississippi and Tennessee, and is expected to pass over Ohio today.  One model shows that Isaac could bring 2" of rain to the DC area early this week, rather than the .10" originally forecast.  Part of this depends upon a front stalling or not on the Atlantic seaboard, which could trap precipitation over our area.

BETHESDA FORECAST

Umbrellas at the ready again today!  High of 86, 5 MPH breeze, 60% chance of thunderstorms.

Stay tuned here and on Twitter at @BethesdaRow for all of the Bethesda weather news you want and need to know!

INCREDIBLE: ISAAC MADE MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI RIVER FLOW BACKWARDS! TROPICAL STORM LESLIE STRENGTHENS - BETHESDA WEATHER DC FORECAST

The U.S. Geological Survey has released an incredible finding.  According to its measurements, Hurricane Isaac at one point reversed the waters of the Mississippi River.  For a time, America's most famous and mightiest river was flowing upstream, rather than rushing towards the Gulf of Mexico like usual.

How could this happen?  It turns out that the Midwestern drought had lowered the river's height, making it less of a match for Isaac's precipitation and storm surge.

BETHESDA FORECAST

Mostly cloudy, 10-15 MPH breeze, 90.  Bring umbrella! 60% chance of thunderstorms.

BETHESDA STORM CENTER

LESLIE UPDATE

Tropical Storm Leslie is taking its time out in the Atlantic.  Despite predictions, Leslie did not become a hurricane Friday.  But the storm is gathering strength, and if you're reading this on the Northern Leeward Islands, this would be a good time to head to the grocery store for Spam, Vienna sausage, bottled water, batteries, etc.

The National Weather Service is now predicting Leslie will get hurricane status today, and based on the latest data, I'll buy that.

TS LESLIE BULLETIN

LOCATION:  550 miles E of Leeward Islands

WINDS:  70 MPH

MOVING:  WNW at 17 MPH

Make sure you're following @BethesdaRow on Twitter, and stay tuned for the Bethesda weather news you want and need to know!

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!

HURRICANE ISAAC WEAKER THAN THE DERECHO THAT HIT BETHESDA, DC AREA - BETHESDA WEATHER

BETHESDA STORM CENTER

ISAAC UPDATE

Not surprisingly, Hurricane Isaac is hitting Louisiana with high winds and torrential rains.  But despite its strengthening after stalling out near shore, I'm sticking with my prediction that Isaac's remnants won't pose a violent threat to Bethesda and the DC area on Labor Day weekend.

But it likely will ruin outdoor plans for at least Sunday and Monday.

As I wrote yesterday, Isaac's westward track means it will have to travel further over land to reach our area, which will sap its strength.

But when you notice how little punch Isaac picked up, despite stalling for hours over warm Gulf waters, it indicates again my theory that Isaac is a wimp of a storm.

In fact, the wind gusts being reported -  mostly 50 MPH, with a high of 85 MPH being the maximum in one location - means Isaac has not reached the reported 90 MPH gusts some parts of the DC area experienced during this summer's derecho storm.

It's all relative, of course.  Rain bands and winds are causing more damage and flooding in Gulf states because the storm isn't moving, rather than because of the storm's inherent strength.

If Isaac was a true "killer storm," the TV people wouldn't be out in it.  They'd be blown away, swept away by waters, or slammed by large debris.  (If those folks knew what was in that water they're standing in around the streets of New Orleans, I doubt they'd be out there to begin with!).

In short, Isaac will be easier for Bethesda and the DC area to handle than the derecho.  The worst is behind us.  For now.

HURRICANE ISAAC BULLETIN

CURRENT LOCATION:  50 miles SSW of New Orleans

WINDS:  80 MPH

MOVING:  NW at 6 MPH

+12' storm surge in Plaquemines Parish

+People are on rooftops there

If and when Isaac's remnants hit Bethesda, stay tuned to this blog and @BethesdaRow on Twitter for 24/7 weather news and information directly from Bethesda.

WHAT DOES ISAAC HAVE IN STORE FOR BETHESDA AND THE DC AREA? - HURRICANE FORECAST, BETHESDA WEATHER

BETHESDA STORM CENTER

ISAAC UPDATE

As Tropical Storm Isaac nears landfall in the Gulf Region, it's natural for Bethesda residents to wonder what the storm may do to the Washington, DC area when it arrives this coming weekend.

My prediction?  Rain, rain and more rain.  But - power outages and toppling trees (due to saturated soil, more than wind) aside - the remnants of Isaac should not be very destructive.

There are several indications why this should be the case.  First, Isaac appears to be a bit of a wimp.  Given that the storm has been over warm waters in the Gulf, but has failed to gain much additional steam or fury, it is unlikely to power up enough to carry destructive force very far inland.

Second, Isaac has been tracking slightly west.  The closer it lands to Texas, the more land it will have to cross to reach the Mid-Atlantic states.  Since land is the kryptonite of hurricanes, Isaac simply won't have much punch by Sunday or Monday.

Finally, Isaac has shown it can produce flooding.  Isaac reminds me of Tropical Storm Lee just about one year ago.  Another "wimp," but do you remember how long Lee's remnants rained on Bethesda days later?

So, I predict no need to take unusual emergency precautions here for Isaac.  But should Isaac take a similar path back to the Atlantic as Lee, there could be flash flood risks around the DC area.

Hold off on any major outdoor plans for Saturday - and especially Sunday and Monday.  We'll know a lot more of what - if anything - to expect from Isaac as the next few days unfold.

TROPICAL STORM ISAAC BULLETIN

CURRENT LOCATION:  185 miles SSE of Biloxi, MS
WINDS:  70 MPH
MOVING:  NW at 7 MPH

+Louis Armstrong and Pensacola airports closed

+Amtrak suspends service into/out of New Orleans through Wednesday

+LA Gov. Bobby Jindal mobilizes 4000 National Guard troops

Click here to find out about the Hurricane Simulator in Bethesda!  

Stay tuned for all the latest Bethesda hurricane news.   And tune your Twitter to @BethesdaRow!  Count on Robert Dyer for the helpful, hyperlocal Bethesda emergency weather coverage you need 24/7.

PREPARE FOR ISAAC BY TESTING YOURSELF INSIDE A HURRICANE SIMULATOR IN BETHESDA!!

BETHESDA STORM CENTER

ISAAC UPDATE

Welcome, readers, to special weather coverage here on Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row.  My hope is to continue to provide you with the same, comprehensive updates during this hurricane season, as I have in the past.  I thank you for your continued readership and support.  Check in here - and on Twitter at @BethesdaRow - for 24/7 coverage of Isaac, as it approaches Bethesda this weekend.

How better to prepare for a hurricane, than with a Hurricane Simulator!

Step right up, and enter the Hurricane Simulator if you dare

Stop by Level 1 in Westfield Montgomery Mall, in the Old Navy wing, and take the Hurricane Simulator for a spin.  Or, should I say, let it take you for a spin!

Pay $2, and enter the chamber.  Soon, you will experience hurricane-force winds.  Upload video of yourself, and win prizes.

Those who have predicted the extinction of the American
indoor shopping mall are feeling pretty stupid right now

Only in Bethesda.

TROPICAL STORM ISAAC BULLETIN

CURRENT LOCATION:  185 miles WSW of Fort Myers, FL
WINDS:  65 MPH
MOVING:   WNW at 14 MPH

LA Gov. Bobby Jindal declares state of emergency
New Orleans Mayor:  Superdome, Louis Armstrong Airport not shelters