Capital Weather

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For more than two decades, Capital Weather has been the DC region’s go-to source for clear, credible, and compelling weather coverage. We started as an independent website in 2004, partnered with The Washington Post starting in 2008, and became independent again in 2026. What started as a passion project has grown into a widely followed source for DC-area weather, helping readers navigate everything from quiet blue-sky days to record-setting storms. We’re meteorologists, journalists, and communicators who live and breathe the atmosphere. Our mission is simple: Deliver reliable forecasts you can use. Explain the why behind the weather, especially as the climate changes. Keep our community informed, prepared, and sometimes even entertained. Educate along the way. We combine scientific expertise with a human voice, offering real-time updates, deep-dive explainers, sharp storm analysis, and smart seasonal outlooks. Our coverage spans breaking severe weather, winter storm tracking, climate trends, and the everyday forecasts that shape how our region lives, works, and plays. Source

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Language English
Country United States of America
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Photos: Dramatic skies amid Thursday night's storms

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By Jason Samenow 
| Capital Weather
A wicked line of storms swept through the DC area Thursday evening, unleashing wind gusts near 60 mph and toppling trees in some areas. The storms produced menacing skies as they passed through, featuring ominous shelf clouds. They are low, wedge-shaped clouds that form along the leading edge of a thunderstorm, often signaling the arrival of strong, gusty winds and cooler air.
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Thursday evening storm updates

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By Dan Stillman 
| Capital Weather
The situation: A line of strong storms with potential for damaging winds is poised to track west to east across the DC area between approximately 7 and 10 p.m. There is some question if the line will remain solid and intense, or if it may weaken and become more scattered as it move through the region. Hover a warning for details 👆Tap a warning for details
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Severe thunderstorm watch until 10 p.m.

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By Jason Samenow 
| Capital Weather
Thunderstorms with strong winds are organizing in northern West Virginia and central Pennsylvania and headed east into the warm, soupy air over Northern Virginia, DC and Maryland. As such, the National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch until 10 p.m. We are uncertain if the storms will remain organized and strong as they approach the DC area, or if they will weaken and become more scattered.
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🏖️ Weekend beach forecast

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By Dan Stillman 
| Capital Weather
After the chance of some showers and storms Friday evening, much of the weekend looks quite nice at the Maryland and Delaware beaches! Saturday: Expect a ton of sunshine with highs in the low 80s. Just a touch of humidity (dew points in the low 60s) with breezes from the north around 10 mph. Temperatures in the 70s Saturday evening dip to the mid-60s for overnight lows. Sunday: Much of the day should be mostly sunny as highs head for near 80.
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Launch week, the birth of El Niño, and a troubling cold blob

| Capital Weather
In this issue of the Capital Weather Insider, we recap launch week and offer insights into newly born El Niño. The Washington Monument last Sunday morning.
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Any storms late today could be intense, with damaging wind threat

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By Jason Samenow 
| Capital Weather
It's hot and oppressively humid – and this steamy air could fuel big storms late this afternoon and evening. The most probable window for storms is between 6 and 11 p.m., although an isolated strong cell could pop up during the afternoon. Storms may be hit or miss rather than widespread. The National Weather Service has placed the area in a Level 2 out of 5 risk for severe storms, with the primary hazard being damaging wind gusts.
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Capital Weather in the news

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By Jason Samenow 
| Capital Weather
Our new site opened in preview mode on May 31. Then, on June 9, we officially launched Capital Weather as an independent weather news organization serving the DC area after more than 18 years at The Washington Post. We're grateful for the interest in our new venture. Several publications have written about our transition and what's ahead for Capital Weather.
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Weather Service declares El Niño is here and predicts it will become historically strong

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By Jason Samenow 
| Capital Weather
The National Weather Service announced El Niño conditions have developed in the tropical Pacific Ocean and that the climate pattern may reach historically strong levels by the winter. "There is a 63% chance of a very strong El Niño during November-January that would rank among the largest El Niño events in the historical record going back to 1950," the Weather Service wrote in an advisory Thursday.
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DC-area forecast: Scorching today and Friday, with strong storms possible

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By Ian Livingston 
| Capital Weather
Always a human at the helm: Updated around-the-clock by Capital Weather meteorologists. Happening now: Partly cloudy with highs about 93 to 97 but feeling like 100 to 105. Heat advisory for DC and spots east of Interstate 95. A few afternoon storms are possible, any of which could be strong. What’s next? Probably a degree or two hotter Friday. At least mid-90s. Strong afternoon storms are more likely, with a front entering the region. Somewhat cooler and less humid for the first half of the weekend.
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Beautiful rainbows followed Wednesday's downpours

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By Jason Samenow 
| Capital Weather
The showers and thunderstorms that swept through the DC area Wednesday afternoon didn't pack a huge punch. While pockets of heavy rain occurred — some areas west of DC picked up more than 0.5 inches — winds generally remained below damaging levels. But a spectacle followed in their wake. As the lowering sun illuminated raindrops lingering in the eastern sky, brilliant rainbows arced across the region. Here are some pictures from readers: Rainbow in McLean.
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Capital Weather Journalists

Ambrose, Kevin
Cappucci, Matthew
Livingston, Ian
Samenow, Jason
Stillman, Dan
Walker, A. Camden

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