Strong storms spark thunderstorm warnings, watches across DC area
Have an umbrella handy as the D.C. region is under flood watch and expected to receive strong thunderstorms Saturday afternoon into the evening.
Have an umbrella handy as the D.C. region is expected to receive showers and thunderstorms Saturday afternoon and evening.
The National Weather Service has also issued Severe Thunderstorm Warnings through at least 6:30 p.m.
- Washington, DC
- Maryland: Howard, Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties.
- Virginia: Loudoun, Arlington and Fairfax Counties.
Meanwhile Stafford, Orange, Fauquier, Culpeper and Spotsylvania Counties in Virgnia will remain under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning through 6:15 p.m.
A destructive Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for Loudon County until 5:45p.m. NWS reported that the severe, destructive thunderstorm blew through portions of Loudoun County with winds nearing 80 mph and some radar-indicated hail.
“A sprawling super cell thunderstorm is causing widespread wind damage across much of our western and northwestern suburbs,” WTOP Meteorologist Mike Stinneford said.
One of those storms is expected to bring up to 80 mph wind gusts to portions of the region, hail and more to the area. Those storms should be treated as destructive and deadly.
“You should take cover in the lowest floor of your home or business, as many walls between you and outdoors as possible. Treat this… as you would a tornado warning,” Stinneford told WTOP.
A warning was also issued for sea farers along the Tidal Potomac through 7 p.m. as troubling wind gusts enter the region.
“Boaters in small craft could be thrown overboard by suddenly higher winds and waves capsizing their vessel,” the service warned.
Friday
Some parts of the D.C. area experienced dramatic temperature hikes during Friday’s excessive heat warning, with the heat index possibly reaching 110 degrees in the District, Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties in Maryland, and Arlington, Falls Church and Alexandria in Virginia. Temperatures at Dulles Airport reached 101 degrees, surpassing the previously measured record of 100 degrees.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser activated an extended heat emergency starting Friday until Tuesday, Aug. 6 or until conditions improve. During the emergency, additional outreach teams from multiple city agencies will conduct welfare checks and additional cooling centers are opened to help residents cool down from the heat.
Also as a result of the heat, schools in Fairfax County, Virginia, canceled all outdoor activities on fields and courts through 8 p.m. Friday. The parks and recreation department in Prince George’s County, Maryland, also canceled the majority of its outdoor programs. However, the Boat Ride at Bladensburg Waterfront Park and Movies in the Park at Watkins Regional Park will continue with additional safety protocols in place.
Check your local school district and county government for guidance on outdoor activities.
The weekend will be a little better, but Saturday will have feels-like temperatures in the 100s with highs in the low to mid-90s. 7News First Alert Meteorologist Brian Van de Graaff said the weekend forecast includes scattered storms for your Saturday afternoon as well. Sunday will have highs around 90 degrees.
“Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible on Saturday during the afternoon and evening hours. The primary threat will be damaging wind gusts and isolated flash flooding in urban areas,” the ?NWS forecast for Saturday.
This latest heat wave comes after the D.C. area had its fourth hottest July on record and the third hottest since 2011, according to Evans. The D.C. area has already seen 36 days at or above 90 degrees, almost reaching the annual average of 40.
Heat wave leads to hospitalizations
WTOP’s Kyle Cooper reported that in the WTOP listening area, the heat wave led to a rise in hospital visits.
In Maryland, almost 1,000 people have gone to an emergency room since May for heat-related illnesses, and 14 have died, according to the Maryland Department of Health.
In Virginia, over 2,500 people have gone to the emergency room since May, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
State officials are urging people to limit their time outdoors and drink water.
Current weather
Forecast:
Mark Peña, 7News First Alert Meteorologist
THIS EVENING: STORM ALERT
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Until 9 P.M.
Flood Watch Until 10 P.M.
Partly cloudy, scattered strong storms
Temperatures: 75-85
Winds: South 5-10 mph
Scattered showers and storms, some of which could be severe with the potential for damaging winds up to 70 mph and heavy rain.
TONIGHT: STORM ALERT
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Until 9 P.M.
Flood Watch Until 10 P.M.
Mostly cloudy, storms ending
Lows: 72-77
Winds: Southwest 5 mph
Storm chances should end before midnight, otherwise mostly cloudy with lows in the 70s.
SUNDAY:
Passing clouds, isolated storms
Highs: 85-90
Winds: Southwest 5-10 mph
Storm coverage remains less, but a few heavy downpours, lightning and gusty winds are possible. High temperatures may stay out of the 90s for some areas.
MONDAY:
Sunny and hot
Highs: 91-96
Heat Index: 96-101
Winds: Southwest 5-10 mph
Mostly sunny, hot and humid. Heat index values will be around 100 degrees.
TUESDAY:
Partly cloudy, scattered storms
Highs: 90-95
Heat Index: 95-100
Winds: Southwest 5-10 mph
Partly cloudy with a chance for afternoon showers and storms. Otherwise hot and humid with heat index values around 100 degrees.
WEDNESDAY:
Partly cloudy, scattered storms
Highs: 81-86
Winds: East 5-10 mph
Influence from a weakening tropical system may bring more widespread chances at showers and storms. Will be monitoring the tropics closely in the days to come.
NEXT WEEK:
A drop in the humidity is expected Monday behind a weak boundary. Temperatures remain hot in the 90s beginning Monday. Chances for rain return for the second half of next week, and extra moisture from a tropical system may continue rain chances into next weekend with below-average temperatures.
WTOP’s Tadiwos Abedje, Ivy Lyons, Matt Small and Christopher Thomas contributed to this report.