Noon Wednesday, May 21, 2025
A few things this week, as I’m traveling from Philadelphia back to Richmond today.
Richmond has had about 0.75” of rain through midday Wednesday, and some showers will pass through here or there Wednesday night, but the consistent rain from this morning’s system is done.
The sun will be back out on Thursday, and the chance of rain is minimal through this Saturday.
Three big takeaways from the data this morning:
Saturday is the best day to be outside this Memorial Day weekend
Temperatures will be near or below normal for the rest of May
Another spell of soaking rain is ahead late in the weekend or early next week
Normal highs are in the upper 70s to around 80 for the rest of the month.
Specifically, Saturday looks mostly sunny and in the lower 70s in the afternoon. Sunday and Monday still depend on how a nebulous system comes together over the next few days to our west, so confidence is not particularly high for Sunday and Monday yet.
If I had to guess now, I’d say rain moves in late Sunday and continues periodically through Memorial Day, but I expect that idea will change by late tomorrow or Friday when the data becomes a little more consistent.
Even next week, all indications suggest afternoons staying below 80, so air conditioners will not be needed until June.
A few other weather and science news items:
The weather and climate livestream
Because most weather and climate work is done away from the spotlight, a grass-roots group of colleagues in weather and climate are putting together a live stream of content to highlight what we do, and importantly, why it matters. Learn more from my colleague at the University of Georgia, Marshall Shepherd or at the primary livestream site.
And yes, I am planning to participate, with my presentation on weather and communications tentatively scheduled for noon (ET) on Friday, May 30.
Severe storm coverage review
Much hay has been made about recent real-time coverage of damaging storms, both on traditional broadcast and online. You have probably heard about the tornadoes in Kentucky last week.
If you are a true weather geek, or just care about getting solid, actionable weather information, take a look at what my colleague in Houston, Matt Lanza, wrote this week. Remember, when a Tornado Warning is issued, it is still a fully human decision. There are algorithms that go through radar data to help the meteorologist, but those algorithms are far from perfect.
As Matt writes about whether or not to issue a Tornado Warning:
Unless you’ve sat in that seat and had to make that call, you have absolutely no idea what it’s like. You have the luxury of Monday morning quarterbacking every day of your life. They don’t.
Take a look at his comprehensive writeup at Lanza’s Stanzas.
Finally, spare a thought for our federal workers. For many people, they are out of sight, and out of mind. They keep their heads down and keep the weather data engines going so private enterprise obtain the data to develop the weather apps that get to your phone.
See what they are going through right now.
I have had personal conversations with many of my colleagues in NOAA, and I can tell you, it is not good.