TROPICAL STORM LESLIE UPDATE - BETHESDA, MD WEATHER NEWS

BETHESDA STORM CENTER

LESLIE UPDATE

Yes, Hurricane Leslie has weakened back into a tropical storm again.  Leslie could regain hurricane status over the weekend, but the only threat it poses to the U.S. is the potential for rip currents and dangerous surf conditions at Atlantic beaches, from northern Florida upwards.  So if you're at the beach this weekend, check surf conditions before going into the ocean.

LOCATION:  325 miles SSE of Bermuda

WINDS:  65 MPH

MOVING:  N at 5 MPH

BETHESDA FORECAST

Umbrella Saturday!  Showers, thunderstorms, mid-80s, wind gusts up to 30 MPH.  Temperatures drop into the upper 50s tonight.

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BETHESDA WEATHER FORECAST, WHERE IS TROPICAL STORM LESLIE NOW?

BETHESDA FORECAST

Highs in the mid-80s, cloudy, 5-10 MPH breeze today.  60% chance of showers.  Thunderstorm possible.

Tonight, mostly cloudy, lows in the upper 60s, 5 MPH breeze.  40% chance of showers or isolated thunderstorms.

BETHESDA STORM CENTER

LESLIE UPDATE

Leslie is still a Tropical Storm, and did not strengthen at all yesterday.  The National Weather Service predicts Leslie will become a hurricane by Thursday.  Dangerous surf, swells and riptides remain possible at beaches from Northern Florida, all the way up the Eastern seaboard today and tomorrow.

LOCATION:  490 miles SSE of Bermuda

WINDS:  65 MPH

MOVING:  NNW at 2 MPH

Stay tuned here and on Twitter at @BethesdaRow, for the latest Bethesda emergency weather information.

TROPICAL STORM LESLIE UPDATE - BETHESDA WEATHER FORECAST

Tropical Storm Leslie continues to defy the National Weather service.  It has never become a hurricane, but did gain strength yesterday.  It has slowed to a crawl of 3 MPH.  That certainly provides an opportunity to strengthen, but its current path is not towards any land mass.

However, Bermuda and the eastern U.S. coast could experiences swells, dangerous waves and rip currents over the next 24 hours.

LOCATION:  545 miles SSE of Bermuda

WINDS:  65 MPH

MOVING:  N at 3 MPH

BETHESDA FORECAST

Cloudy with scattered showers.  A chance of thunderstorms this afternoon.  High 84.  5-10 MPH breeze.  Chance of rain 70%.

Tonight, 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms.  Low 70s, with 5-10 MPH breeze.  Chance of fog after midnight.

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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

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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!!!