Thunderstorm watch for DC area Thursday amid heavy rain, high winds
Thursday afternoon is bringing another round of severe storms and possible flooding to the D.C. area as high heat continues to grip the region.
A look at the National Weather Service’s watches and warnings:
- Severe thunderstorm watch until 9 p.m. for D.C. region
- Severe thunderstorm warning until 2:45 p.m. for Frederick and Washington counties in Maryland
- Flood watch for much of D.C. region from from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Areas under the watch include D.C., Anne Arundel, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s and Baltimore counties in Maryland, and Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria and Fairfax in Virginia.
A cold front is expected to bring a line of storms through the D.C. area Thursday afternoon and evening, bringing the possibility of hail and gusty winds up to 23 mph, according to NWS.
“An enhanced risk for severe storms later today … that could contain damaging wind gusts in excess of 60 mph, hail stones and even an isolated weak tornado,” 7News First Alert Meteorologist Eileen Whelan.
After a string of rainy days in the D.C. area, the ground is saturated. Any heavy downpours on Thursday could lead to flash flooding, Whelan said.
The D.C. area can expect rainfall between one-tenth and one-quarter of an inch.
Before the storms arrive, you can expect temperatures to soar in the upper 90s; that will allow for a heat index close to 100 degrees.
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Storms are expected to end just before midnight. The approaching cold front should make things less humid Friday, as drier air moves into the D.C. area just in time for the official first day of summer.
That sunny, warm weather will grant a brief reprieve before a heat wave hits the D.C. area this weekend.
Forecast
FRIDAY:
Mostly Sunny, Less Humid
Highs: 85-88
Winds: West 5-10 mph
The summer solstice occurs at 10:41 p.m. marking the longest amount of daylight all year. Stellar summer weather is expected to kick off the season with sunshine, seasonably warm highs in the 80s, and lower humidity. Enjoy it because an intense heat wave will build heading into the weekend.
SATURDAY:
Sunny and Hot
Highs: 90-95
Winds: Southwest 5-10 mph
Sunny and getting hot. Humidity will be on the increase as the day progresses.
SUNDAY: HEAT ALERT
Mostly Sunny, Hot
Highs: 93-98
Winds: Southwest 5-10 mph
Heat and humidity will continue to build across the DMV Sunday with highs well into the 90s and feels like at or above 100 at times.
MONDAY: HEAT ALERT
Mostly Sunny, Hot
Highs: 95-100
Winds: Southwest 5-10 mph
Sizzling hot temperatures an oppressive humidity may bring active heat alerts from the National Weather Service.
CURRENT CONDITIONS
WTOP’s Jessica Kronzer contributed to this report.