This applies to comments about single statements in the code, unless they have an esoteric side-effect or there is a particular why that needs to be explained.

This applies to comments about single statements in the code, unless they have an esoteric side-effect or there is a particular why that needs to be explained. But comments that describe a paragraph/block of code have a separate value. Being able to skim code faster because of a series of well chosen sentences is an aide beyond clear code. As the OP described it is a good way to design before the code is written.