January Discobs 2026

[87storms]

36 minutes ago, Jrlg1181 said:

23 here currently and solid cloud cover again.... Bit depressing to be honest..

It’s cloudy almost every day here. I actually think the eastern shore and central Va are underrated. They get less of the stratus decks caused by the Great Lakes and mountains, and they seem to get more snow now lol. Current satellite loop really shows the difference between i95 east and west.

[kgottwald]

Been overcast since 9:15 in Fairfax City despite a mostly sunny forecast.

I note the AFDs have a new format with "keypoints" rather than being organized strictly chronologically. Wonder why they decided to screw around with it.

[yoda]

14 minutes ago, kgottwald said:

Been overcast since 9:15 in Fairfax City despite a mostly sunny forecast.

I note the AFDs have a new format with "keypoints" rather than being organized strictly chronologically. Wonder why they decided to screw around with it.

I actually like the new format.  I think its better.  Seems like its a new thing across the WFOs

[wxdude64]

Cloudy and 26.9/10.1 at 12:30 pm. If looks counted, it would be snowing right now, sky has THAT look to it, but way too dry to reach the ground. 

[kgottwald]

There's some stuff on radar to the NW. Virga, doubtless.

[Roger Ramjet]

Snowing lightly.

[TSSN+]

Some light flakes fallin at 27 deg. So much for a high of 31 today. 

[wxdude64]

32 minutes ago, TSSN+ said:

Some light flakes fallin at 27 deg. So much for a high of 31 today. 

Yeah, no snow fell here as the radar returns went overhead, but cloudy and 27.7/8.3 at 2:30 pm isn't gonna make the 37 forecast high bode well for NWS. 

[kgottwald]

The short-range models completely missed this little low or whatever it is.

[pazzo83]

13 minutes ago, kgottwald said:

The short-range models completely missed this little low or whatever it is.

cloudy and cold, it's like we have been transported to the Great Lakes except without the snow on the ground.

[WEATHER53]

High  of 35 and low of 19 

No sun effect and with that low temp light snow will stick almost instantly overnight 

[H2O]

2 hours ago, pazzo83 said:

cloudy and cold, it's like we have been transported to the Great Lakes except without the snow on the ground.

The blue ridge effs us so much. 

[WEATHER53]

There is a good  area of precip moving in the right direction to our west 

[pazzo83]

45 minutes ago, WEATHER53 said:

There is a good  area of precip moving in the right direction to our west 

temps going up though - it's above freezing here.

[Eskimo Joe]

3 hours ago, pazzo83 said:

temps going up though - it's above freezing here.

Wet bulb temp is below 32° west of the bay. 

[pazzo83]

40F at DCA now, 37.6F here in NW DC.

[Interstate]

I am under some of the heavier greens and nothing but the temperature going up. 

[Terpeast]

Got a dusting overnight

[Eskimo Joe]

Had a brief period of sleet but its all moderate snow now.

[Mrs.J]

Woke to the family text blowing up. Kid in DC asked the kid still home if we had snow flying. At that point it was hard to tell. Fast forward to now and streets are covered. 

[jayyy]

Some nice fatties falling at my brothers house in EC near turf valley

[GramaxRefugee]

Significant graupel fall here. Piling up sleet-style. Very few honest snow flakes mixing

[WEATHER53]

Solid dusting in Kemp Mill with some still remaining in full shade.  Frederick house 1” 

 

[SLPressure]

Looking for a little help in deciding to hold an astronomy program this evening, 8-10pm. Any guesses on cloud cover during this period? Southern Fairfax county.

[MN Transplant]

6 minutes ago, SLPressure said:

Looking for a little help in deciding to hold an astronomy program this evening, 8-10pm. Any guesses on cloud cover during this period? Southern Fairfax county.

Models say you might be able to sneak it in.  The mid-level clouds that will be coming in from the south look like they'll hold off until midnight or so (look at the 700 RH on the GFS).  Higher level (500mb) RH still gives you a window before 11pm or so.  Going to the mesos, the HRRR/NAM Next look good through 10pm while the NAM parent has some clouds moving in closer to 8pm.  All-in-all, you'll have to make a call on how much risk your group is willing to take.

[SLPressure]

57 minutes ago, MN Transplant said:

Models say you might be able to sneak it in.  The mid-level clouds that will be coming in from the south look like they'll hold off until midnight or so (look at the 700 RH on the GFS).  Higher level (500mb) RH still gives you a window before 11pm or so.  Going to the mesos, the HRRR/NAM Next look good through 10pm while the NAM parent has some clouds moving in closer to 8pm.  All-in-all, you'll have to make a call on how much risk your group is willing to take.

Thank you! Much appreciated.