Launched in January 2010, ARLnow.com is the place for the latest news, views and things to do around Arlington, Virginia. The ARLnow staff byline is used for the Morning Notes and reporting done by an editor or other member of our full-time staff.
Scooters and their shadows in Westover (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)
A honk at two people riding scooters in the road escalated into a thrown rock and a kicked car in south Arlington, according to Arlington County police.
It happened around 6:45 p.m. yesterday (Thursday) in the 2900 block of S. Glebe Road, near Four Mile Run Drive.
Buildings and clouds in Rosslyn (courtesy George Brazier)
Rosslyn Tower Sold — JBG Smith sold the 377-unit Central Place Residences to Boston-based Berkshire Residential Investments for $206.25 million. A covenant leaves open a future condo conversion, which would make the 355-foot building the region’s tallest condo tower. [WBJ]
Cloud Firm Opens Crystal City HQ — Knox Systems opened its Washington-area headquarters in Crystal City, consolidating its security and risk operations teams closer to federal agencies. Fresh off a $25 million funding round, the company employs nearly 70 and projects 30% headcount growth by year’s end. [Press Release]
Clean Air Cred — Arlington ranks among the nation’s 10 cities with the cleanest air, with good air quality on 84% of days despite the recent bout of hazardous wildfire smoke. Clean air is one metric behind the county’s ninth straight fittest-city title. [Capital Weather]
Rejoin D.C.? — “There is another way for Arlington to become a city,” the D.C. Council posted, responding to ARLnow’s report that the county couldn’t pursue cityhood until at least 2032. [Council of DC/X]
Fairfax Schools Curb AI — Fairfax County Public Schools will bar elementary students from using generative AI, keep tablets and laptops out of preschool and kindergarten, and prohibit personal devices during class. The school board approved the restrictions, which include narrow exceptions, at its July 16 meeting. [FFXnow]
It’s Friday — Look for mostly sunny skies with a high near 83 and a light northeast wind of 1–8 mph. Skies turn mostly cloudy overnight with a low around 66. [NWS]
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Expect mostly sunny weather with a high of about 82 degrees, and a calm wind that will pick up to 5 to 8 mph from the east in the morning. Friday night will be mostly cloudy with temperatures dropping to around 65 degrees. The east wind of about 6 mph will become calm in the evening. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” – Confucius
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A towering cloud behind a North Arlington home, as storms build to the west (staff photo)
If it feels like the weather forecast has been letting you down lately, a growing number of meteorologists say you may not be imagining it.
They point to a quieter problem playing out well above our heads: the National Weather Service has been launching fewer weather balloons, and the resulting gaps in data may be making forecasts less reliable — especially for severe weather.
Weather balloons carry instruments called radiosondes that measure temperature, humidity, pressure and wind as they rise through the atmosphere. That information is among the most valuable data forecasters have. A recent NASA analysis found balloon readings did more to reduce errors in 24-hour forecasts than any single satellite instrument or aircraft data across the Northern Hemisphere.
The Weather Service began scaling back launches in March 2025, citing staffing shortages, and more than 25 sites are now routinely pushing their morning launches to midday, according to Capital Weather. The agency has lost roughly 600 employees to layoffs and buyouts over the past year, CBS News reported.
Forecasters say the missing morning data is most worrisome on days when severe storms are possible.
Meteorologists and an emergency manager told Politico that absent balloon data likely contributed to a poorly predicted tornado outbreak near Kansas City in April. Many Great Plains offices delayed morning launches to noon that day, NBC News reported, too late for the models that run shortly after 7 a.m. — and a tornado watch went up only about 30 minutes before the first twister.
Arlington-based meteorologist Matthew Cappucci, who recently broke down the issue on Fox 5, didn’t mince words on X:
Have weather forecasts seemed less accurate lately? There's a major contributing factor: nearly half the morning weather balloons in the Lower 48 are "missing."
This is an ongoing crisis that is degrading critical severe weather forecasts that we all rely on. It's having real,… pic.twitter.com/xMajo4MzUs
How much any of this affects forecasts here is up for debate. Because weather generally moves west to east, some meteorologists argue a missed launch out West can ripple downstream and dent forecasts on the East Coast. Others counter that balloons are a small slice of the data feeding modern models, and that the biggest effects are likely felt closer to the Plains.
The Weather Service, for its part, disputes that forecasts have suffered. A spokesperson told Capital Weather the agency has seen “no evidence of degradation” in its models, pointing to satellites, aircraft and other sensors that help fill the gaps.
Arlington readers have had reason to keep an eye on the forecast lately, from a snowy winter to tornado watches this spring and the threat of severe storms earlier this week. Whether local forecasts have actually slipped is hard to prove — but some seem to have a gut feeling one way or the other.
So today we’re asking: have you noticed weather forecasts getting less accurate recently?
Sitting amid the greenery at The Crossing Clarendon (courtesy George Brazier)
Bank Robbery Arrest — Police have charged a D.C. man, 36, after a bank robbery in the Crystal City area. The suspect handed a teller a note demanding cash on July 21 in the 1400 block of S. Eads Street, then fled, according to police. No weapon was shown and no one was hurt. [ACPD]
Arrest At Arlington House — A man is being held without bond after allegedly assaulting a federal officer at Arlington House, the historic mansion at Arlington National Cemetery. Prosecutors say he was cited for trespassing July 13, found the next morning in a second-floor bedroom and injured an officer while resisting arrest. [Patch]
Sentencing For Abuse Images — An Arlington man, 35, was sentenced to nine years in prison for receiving child sexual abuse material, federal prosecutors said. Investigators recovered dozens of illicit images and videos from his devices after searching his home last October. The FBI’s Washington Field Office investigated the case. [Justice Department]
Goldman Buys Pentagon City Tower — An affiliate of Goldman Sachs has bought The Milton, a 253-unit apartment high-rise at Pentagon Centre in Pentagon City, for $142.3 million — about $562,000 a unit. Seller Kimco Realty developed the 11-story building at 1446 S. Grant Street in 2022 and is reshaping the Costco-anchored shopping center. [WBJ]
VC Fund Eyes Arlington — Roadrunner Venture Studios, an Albuquerque-based startup investor, plans to open its first office outside New Mexico in Arlington this fall, likely in Rosslyn or Pentagon City. CEO Adam Hammer told WBJ the space would serve as a hub for portfolio companies meeting with federal officials in defense, energy and biotech. [WBJ]
Ube’s Having A Moment — Ube, the sweet purple yam long popular in Filipino cooking, is booming across the D.C. area — including at Toby’s Homemade Ice Cream in Westover. Owner Toby Bantug, who once pulled it from the menu, said it’s now “our most popular flavor in all three shops,” outselling vanilla. [WTOP]
Eataly Confirmed For Tysons — Eataly has confirmed it’s coming to Tysons Corner Center, its first location in the D.C. region. The New York-based Italian food and retail chain will open in 2027 in the two-story space vacated by American Girl, featuring restaurants, quick-service counters and an Italian marketplace. [FFXnow]
It’s Thursday — Look for sunny skies Thursday with a high near 80 and a light north wind at 3–7 mph. It stays mostly clear overnight, with a low around 63. [NWS]
There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.
The weather will be partly sunny in the morning, becoming fully sunny later in the day, with a high of around 80°F. Expect a gentle north wind at 5 to 7 mph. Thursday night will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to about 63°F and calm winds. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
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Storm clouds as seen from Courthouse (courtesy George Brazier)
Cart Robbery Foiled — An Arlington man, 71, was arrested after police say he filled a shopping cart at a business in the 2500 block of 9th Road S. and tried to leave without paying Monday morning. An employee confronted him and the two struggled over the merchandise before the man fled on foot, leaving everything behind, according to police. He was later identified and charged with attempted robbery. [ACPD]
Rosslyn Cyberwarfare Unicorn — Twenty Technologies, a Rosslyn-based cyberwarfare startup, saw its valuation jump to $1.2 billion after a $30 million investment from California venture firm Khosla Ventures. The company became the nation’s first venture-backed cyberwarfare unicorn last month and plans to grow its technical team. [WBJ]
Arlington’s Miss Virginia USA — Arlington resident Justus Kelley was crowned Miss Virginia USA 2026 and will compete for the national title in August. Kelley says she’s the first Miss Virginia who’s also a mom. [N. Va. Magazine]
Student Rockers Take the Stage — Students in Aspire Afterschool Learning’s no-cost summer program have formed a rock band, The Jackson Nine, headlining a free music festival Sunday at the Arlington Mill Community Center (909 S. Dinwiddie Street) from 4 to 6 p.m. Donations support the South Arlington nonprofit’s programs. [Press Release]
Westover Cottage Hits Market — A 1914 stucco cottage in Westover is on the market for $1.35 million. The three-bedroom, four-bathroom home on N. Nicholas Street has been expanded to nearly 2,800 square feet and features a finished basement, a front-yard gazebo and manicured gardens. [N. Va. Magazine]
Past the Summer Peak — The first half of climatological summer was the District’s fourth-warmest on record, averaging 79.8 degrees, or 2.2 degrees above normal, Capital Weather reports. The region is now past the peak, with average temperatures easing from here through the rest of summer. [Capital Weather]
It’s Wednesday — Expect partly sunny skies today with a high near 86 and a chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly in the afternoon. Winds will blow from the west at 7–12 mph. An evening storm is possible before skies turn mostly cloudy overnight, with a low around 65. [NWS]
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There is a slight chance of showers in the morning, increasing to a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm, with partly sunny skies and a high near 85°F. Expect west winds at 7 to 11 mph, and a 50% chance of precipitation. Wednesday night will have a chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm, with mostly cloudy conditions and a low around 65°F. North winds will be around 8 mph, with a 30% chance of precipitation. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.” – David Brinkley
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Buildings in Rosslyn amid wildfire haze (staff photo by Ryan Cole)
Teens Rob Rideshare Driver — Four teenagers were taken into custody after allegedly assaulting and robbing a rideshare driver on S. Eads Street early Saturday. The driver was inside his vehicle when the passengers attacked him following a verbal dispute, stealing a phone charger before fleeing on foot, according to police. The suspects face petitions for robbery, assault by mob and conspiracy. [ACPD, Dave Statter/X]
Highland Street House Fire — Arlington County Fire Department crews knocked down a house fire Monday evening at the corner of Arlington Blvd and N. Highland Street. No civilians or firefighters were injured, and the fire marshal is investigating, ACFD said. Initial reports suggest the blaze started outside, next to the house, and spread to the structure. [ARLnow/X, ACFD/X]
Nearly 200 Charges in Gym Thefts — An Alexandria man, 29, faces nearly 200 charges tied to thefts from unlocked vehicles parked outside gyms in Fairfax County and Falls Church. Since April, detectives say he stole wallets and credit cards from the vehicles, then made fraudulent gift card purchases at nearby retailers before victims realized their belongings were gone. He is being held at the Arlington County jail. [ALXnow]
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Renters Get More Time — A new state law gives Virginia tenants more time to catch up on overdue rent before facing eviction. House Bill 15, from Del. Cia Price (D-Newport News), extends the grace period to pay from five to 14 days. The law also makes a pilot eviction diversion program permanent and expands it statewide. [Virginia Mercury]
Higher Bills for Power Line — Electric customers in N. Va. will help pay for a 115-mile transmission line planned across rural Virginia. The 765-kilovolt line, driven largely by data center demand, could cost $1 to $2 billion and add $1 or $2 to the transmission portion of Dominion bills, a company spokesman said. The project faces opposition from communities along its route. [WTOP]
Severe Storms Possible Today — The area faces an enhanced risk of severe storms this afternoon and evening, with the National Weather Service placing it at a Level 3 out of 5 threat. Storms are most likely between 3 and 9 p.m. and could bring damaging wind gusts capable of toppling trees, along with a chance of flooding, hail and perhaps a tornado. [Capital Weather]
It’s Tuesday — Expect a humid day with showers and thunderstorms likely and a high near 92. Winds will blow out of the south at 7–15 mph. Overnight lows will settle around 73. [NWS]
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Expect showers and possible thunderstorms in the morning, tapering off by early afternoon before resuming after 2pm, with a high near 91°F. South winds will range from 8 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 21 mph, and there’s an 80% chance of rain, with up to half an inch expected. Tuesday night will bring more showers and thunderstorms, particularly before 2am, with lows around 73°F and southwest winds at 9 to 11 mph. Rain chances remain at 80%, with up to three-quarters of an inch of rain possible. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” – Milton Berle
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