A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for most of the D.C. area until 2 a.m. Thursday night as a complex of thunderstorms approaches from the northwest, according to 7News Senior Meteorologist Steve Rudin. Some of the storms may be severe with damaging winds and a risk of large hail, torrential rainfall and isolated tornadoes, he added.
“Not everyone will get a severe storm, but any stronger storms could produce damaging wind gusts, frequent lightning and very heavy rain, and conditions could change quickly even where things are quiet right now,” Rudin said.
Another cluster of storms farther northwest could drop southeast later tonight, so the threat may not end after the first round. That second batch may weaken as it approaches, but gusty winds, lightning and pockets of heavy rain would still be possible through around 2 a.m., Rudin said.
After that, the overall storm threat should begin to wind down, leaving a very warm and muggy night with lows mainly in the low to mid 70s.
“It’s a really tricky forecast,” 7News meteorologist Eileen Whelan told WTOP, “as we continue to track rain and storms diving out of the Great Lakes and Northeast into the mid-Atlantic.”
Another round of strong to severe storms are possible on Friday. The heat and storm chances should ease heading into Labor Day weekend, with cooler, less humid conditions arriving over the weekend.
Saturday and Sunday should reach the 80s, and Labor Day temperatures could top out around 80.
THURSDAY EVENING: WEATHER ALERT
Scattered Showers, Storms
Temperaturess: 80s
Winds: West 5-10 mph
Showers and thunderstorms will continue to move through parts of the DMV this evening, with some areas seeing more than one round. It will not rain everywhere the entire time, but any stronger storm could produce damaging wind gusts along with heavy downpours and frequent lightning. Timing remains somewhat uncertain, so even if things quiet down for a while, another cluster of storms could develop or move in later. It stays very warm and humid through the evening.
THURSDAY OVERNIGHT:
Shower and Storm Chance
Lows: 70s
Winds: West 3-8 mph
Do not expect the storm threat to completely shut down overnight. Additional waves of showers and thunderstorms may continue to track across the area, especially near and south of where earlier storms have passed. Some storms could still be strong, with gusty winds and locally heavy rain. There will also be stretches of quieter weather between rounds. Otherwise, it remains muggy and unusually warm overnight, with only a slow drop in temperatures toward daybreak.
FRIDAY: WEATHER ALERT
Partly Cloudy
Chance Rain, Storms
Highs: 88-95 I Heat Index: 96-102
Winds: Southwest 10-15 mph
This may be the more active severe weather day, mainly south of D.C. It will again be hot and very humid with highs in the low to mid 90s and heat index values near or above 100. Showers and thunderstorms become increasingly likely during the afternoon and evening, and some storms could become severe. Damaging wind gusts will be the main concern. Storm coverage should be greater than today, so Friday afternoon and evening are worth watching closely.
SATURDAY:
Partly to Mostly Sunny
Highs: 80-85
Winds: North 5-10 mph
A big improvement. Cooler and less humid with a mix of clouds and sunshine. There could still be a stray shower, especially earlier in the day, but most of Saturday should be dry. Highs generally reach the low to mid 80s.
SUNDAY:
Scatted Clouds:
High: 78-83
Winds: Light
Probably the pick of the weekend. Mostly sunny, comfortably warm and much less humid with highs ranging from the upper 70s to the lower 80s. Winds will be light and there is very little chance of rain.
LABOR DAY:
Partly Sunny
Highs: 80-85
Winds: West 5-10 mph
Labor Day is still trending on the nice side. Most of the day should be dry and comfortable, with highs in the lower to middle 80s and much lower humidity. A stray shower cannot be completely ruled out, but widespread rain is not expected. Overall, it looks like a very pleasant end to the long weekend.
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