A hot and humid day continues across Northern Virginia, the District, and surrounding areas. Expect mostly cloudy skies with a high near 92°F. Winds will be light and variable, becoming west around 5 mph this afternoon.
There is a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4 p.m. Stay alert for brief heavy downpours or gusty winds if storms develop.
The National Weather Service office in Baltimore/Washington has expanded a Flood Watch and Slight Risk of severe thunderstorms westward to cover additional portions of the Shenandoah Valley and the I-81 corridor.
A surface front and a strong shortwave moving from the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys will bring widespread thunderstorm activity to the region through Friday. Ample moisture from a tropical air mass, with precipitable water values of 2 to 2.25 inches, will support heavy rainfall.
Residents across Northern Virginia should expect a mostly cloudy day with periods of showers on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) Baltimore-Washington, D.C. office. Low clouds, patchy fog, and isolated showers will dominate the morning hours.
High temperatures will remain below average for early July, generally reaching the upper 70s to low 80s in most spots, with a high near 84 possible in warmer locations. Winds will be light from the east at 3 to 5 mph. The chance of precipitation is around 30%, with most of the day’s convection expected to remain west of U.S. 15.
A combination of a stalled frontal boundary and a persistent tropical air mass will increase the risk of flash flooding in central Virginia this afternoon and evening.
Flood Watches have been issued for much of central Virginia, extending northward along the I-81 corridor into eastern West Virginia. Residents in low-lying areas, near streams and rivers, and in urban areas with poor drainage should remain alert for rapidly rising water levels.
FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT from 4 PM EDT this afternoon through this evening for Washington DC, much of Maryland, Northern Virginia, and eastern West Virginia.
The National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC has warned of an increased risk of flash flooding this afternoon and evening due to a slow-moving frontal zone and tropical air mass in place.
“A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for parts of District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia until 11 PM EDT,” NWS Wakefield announced.
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected this afternoon after 5 p.m. with a 30% chance of precipitation, increasing to likely showers and thunderstorms tonight before 11 p.m. with a 70% chance.
“Scattered severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening as a cold front tracks south through the Mid-Atlantic. Lightning, damaging gusty winds, and isolated hail are possible.” NWS Baltimore-Washington reported.
Showers and thunderstorms are likely tonight before midnight, then isolated showers between midnight and 1am. Low around 65. Monday brings mostly sunny skies with a high near 82 and northwest winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 21 mph.
“Drier conditions on Saturday as high pressure moves into the Mid-Atlantic. Severe thunderstorm chances return on Sunday with an incoming cold front from the northwest,” NWS Baltimore-Washington reported. “Somewhat cooler temperatures and mostly cloudy conditions are expected Monday.”
Today features sunny skies with a high near 90. Sunday brings a 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms, a high near 94 with heat index values up to 100, followed by a 40% chance of storms Sunday night. Monday looks mostly sunny with a high near 81.
“The higher probabilities of damaging winds generally along and east of the Blue Ridge,” the National Weather Service reported. “Some of the storms could be severe.”
This afternoon and evening will bring showers and thunderstorms likely mainly after 5 p.m., with a high near 99 and heat index values as high as 107. Severe storms are possible with a 60% chance of precipitation. Tonight, additional showers and thunderstorms are likely mainly before 9 p.m. with an 80% chance. Saturday looks much drier and cooler with mostly sunny skies and a high near 90, while showers could return Sunday.
“Strong to severe thunderstorms remain possible today and Friday amid a hot, humid, and unstable atmosphere,” the National Weather Service reported. “Heavy rain, gusty winds, and isolated hail are possible during the afternoon & evening hours. Additionally, heat indices of 100º to 105º F are possible.”
Today will be mostly sunny with a high near 96 and heat index values as high as 101, followed by a chance of showers and thunderstorms tonight. Friday brings likely showers and thunderstorms with a high near 97 and heat index up to 103, before drier conditions return Saturday with a high near 90.
