Damaging wind threat, thunderstorms arriving in DC region late Monday

The D.C. region is under another risk of strong to severe thunderstorms late Monday, with the potential for damaging wind gusts and localized flash flooding.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for the majority of the D.C. region, including the District, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in Maryland and parts of northern Virginia, until 1:45 a.m. Tuesday. The parts of the area were under a flash flood watch or a severe thunderstorm warning hours prior to the warning.

A series of cold fronts will influence weather in the Mid-Atlantic early this week, bringing a risk of scattered showers and thunderstorms from Monday morning into the early hours of Tuesday. Though forecasters say some storms are possible along Interstate 95 on Monday morning, the most significant potential for severe weather will be Monday evening and Monday night.

Commuters should expect inclement weather between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. starting along Interstate 81 and building eastward toward the D.C. and Baltimore metro areas after dusk, with rumbles of thunder lingering until around midnight.



“Most of our rain chances for the week ahead come inside of a small window of opportunity later Monday,” NBC Storm Team4 meteorologist Chuck Bell told WTOP. “All is quiet through at least early to mid afternoon, as clouds begin to build ahead of a cold front.”

Storms are expected to form in clusters as a cold front moves southeastward from the Great Lakes into the Blue Ridge, running into a humid and unstable atmosphere. Forecasters highlighted the potential for wind damage, with an outside chance of small hail.

Rain and thunder clear by 2 a.m. Tuesday, with the passage of the cold front ushering in a cooler and markedly less humid midweek. Aside from an isolated shower or two Tuesday afternoon, most of the region stays dry through the end of the week as temperatures gradually climb to near 90 again by Saturday.


Forecast:

Monday night: Strong thunderstorms arriving from north to south. Some storms will contain strong gusty winds and heavy rain. Any lingering storms end soon after midnight. Mild and turning breezy. Lows in the low 60s to near 70.

Tuesday: Breezy and warm but turning gradually less humid. Mix of clouds and sun with a stray shower possible. Highs in the low 80s.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, pleasant and comfortable. Highs in the upper 70s to low 80s.

Thursday: Sunny, warm, pleasant and very comfortable. Highs in the upper 70s to low 80s.


Alejandro Alvarez

Alejandro Alvarez joined WTOP as a digital journalist and editor in June 2018. He is a reporter and photographer focusing on politics, political activism and international affairs.

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