DC: Definitely Crispy

Now

Clear, cool. After crisp morning lows as cool as the mid 40s in some places (50° at National and only 1° off the BWI record at 45°), temperatures have rebounded to the low 70s in most places under clear September skies. While dewpoints are not as arid as yesterday's upper 30s, they are still in the mid 40s.

Meanwhile, the continuing dryness has prompted Stafford County to impose water restrictions beginning today; the county has 139 days of water supply left in its 2 reservoirs, so crispy lawns may need to stay that way. A warming trend through the week should bring a return to readings near seasonable averages, but little or no rain is in sight.

Tonight and Tomorrow

Clear and cool. Clear skies and light winds will lead to lows tonight in the mid 50s downtown to the mid and upper 40s in many of the 'burbs. Tomorrow will again be sunny; highs will be a little warmer, 73-76°.

For the outlook through the rest of the week and into the weekend, scroll on down to Jason's post below.

Tropical Topics

What had been Tropical Storm Ingrid was disintegrating as a depression last night, and advisories were discontinued at 5am.

A new tropical wave is located about 1000 miles east of the Lesser Antilles, but any development is expected to be slow. (That didn't stop it from being blamed for an increase in natural gas prices in commodity trading this morning, however.)

Climate Corner

Today's WaPo science 3/4 page (A7 for the dead-tree fans) is devoted entirely to the issue of the effect of climate change on species habitat ("Climate Change Brings Risk of More Extinctions"). Unfortunately, like many mainstream media reports, it confuses the issue by conflating the effects of bad wetlands conservation policies with the direct effects of sea level rise in the Chesapeake Bay.