Terra -- yeah, the new ridge site for radar data adds topographic maps, velocity data, and a means of zooming & panning on the loops. It also adds a good distance marker in the static (non-loop) mode. Other than that, though, it's the same radar data...just a new way to view it.

Colleen -- the dry air out there is the dry mid-level air behind a shortwave trough that is currently located north-northeast of Bermuda. Not really the Bermuda/subtropical ridge, which really shows up with the anticyclonic turning south of 30 N. It's kinda pinched compared to some times last year, but still of similar strength.