The worst of Friday’s weather moved east of D.C. toward the Chesapeake Bay around 7 a.m. with heavy rains and thunderstorms impacting the morning commute leaving slick leaf-covered roads. Here’s what you need to know.
- Leftover showers and wind should end by mid-morning or early afternoon.
- Rain will be off the Interstate 95 corridor by 9 a.m. and will end before noon most areas.
- Sunny and mild by Friday afternoon.
Storm Team4 Meteorologist Chuck Bell said the storms are largely over but wet roads remain.
Patience is a virtue and will pay dividends. The rain is making steady progress to the East and the drying-out will begin soon. Breaks of sun will appear before noon and the skies will continue to clear as the afternoon progresses. A cool, dry evening is on tap. @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/vUuBU62nEH
— Chuck Bell (@ChuckBell4) November 12, 2021
WTOP’s Neal Augenstein reported heavy rain that was at times “torrential” with breaks between showers in the 5 o’clock hour Friday morning with ponding on major commuter routes throughout the morning.
“That means the leaves that you raked are being blown around, and those still on trees are falling,” Augenstein said. “Lots of wet leaves on the roads mixed with periodic ponding in puddles.”
Give yourself some extra stopping time this morning. Heavy rain and wind means leaves you raked are being blown around and falling. Kids at bus stop in the dark. Safe travels, all. @WTOPtraffic @WTOP pic.twitter.com/Ffjqxc6XIb
— Neal Augenstein (@AugensteinWTOP) November 12, 2021
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The National Weather Service has also warned of strong wind gusts that may build up to 25 mph in portions of the D.C. area.
Showers (some locally heavy) are starting to overspread the area. This will continue through the late morning/early afternoon hours before clearing follows soon after. A rumble of thunder is possible along with isolated gusty winds with this cold front passage. pic.twitter.com/d4D7kfS6dw
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) November 12, 2021
The heavy rain and winds will continue through the morning’s rush hour, accompanied by patchy fog and some thunderstorms. So plan your commute accordingly — and drive safely.
“Definitely gonna be a wet one and we’re going to see a lot of slick roadways with all the leaves on the ground so heads up for that,” Storm Team4 Meteorologist Doug Kammerer said. “Give yourself a little bit of extra time and take that umbrella.”
Excluding Southern Maryland, where the storm is expected to last longer, Friday’s precipitation should end before noon, as the sun comes out and temperatures peak in the mid-60s by afternoon. There will be a slight chance of showers during the day.
Wind and high waves are possible near the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland.
Special Marine Warning including the Chesapeake Bay from North Beach to Drum Point MD, Chesapeake Bay from Sandy Point to North Beach MD and Choptank River to Cambridge MD and the Little Choptank River until 7:15 AM EST pic.twitter.com/vwD6xSoMl4
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) November 12, 2021
With slick roads, there were three crashes on the Beltway on Friday morning before 6 a.m. WTOP Traffic reported a crash involving a jackknifed tractor trailer on the Inner Loop of the Beltway that stopped all traffic for over an hour.
Maryland State Police said no one was hurt in the crash. All lanes reopened around 8 a.m.
Over the weekend, expect to see partly sunny and breezy conditions. Temperatures will be more seasonal, dropping to the mid-50s during the day Saturday, and down to the upper 40s with possible showers by Sunday.
“Friday night football games and Saturday morning soccer practices will be chilly and dry with temperatures in the 40s,” Bell said.
Highs on Saturday will be in the low 50s during the late morning as winds and afternoon showers will lower the temperature throughout the day.
By Saturday evening, skies will clear and temperatures will drop into the 30s by Sunday morning. Temperatures Sunday will barely reach 50 degrees.
Forecast
Friday: Rain, possibly heavy at times, ending before noon. Breezy, sunny and mild in the afternoon. Highs 65 to 70.
Saturday: Partly sunny, breezy and cooler. Chance of afternoon showers and a breeze. Highs in the mid to upper 50s.
Sunday: Partly sunny and chilly. Evening showers possible. Highs in the upper 40s to lower 50s.
Monday: Partly sunny and chilly. Highs in the upper 40s to lower 50s
Current conditions:
WTOP’s Luke Garrett contributed to this report.
