The D.C. region dealt with a round of powerful showers and thunderstorms Saturday afternoon and evening after dealing with the heat.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch was issued through 9 p.m. and a Flood Watch was issued through 10 p.m. but were canceled by the National Weather Service just before 8 p.m.
A destructive Severe Thunderstorm Warning was initially issued for Loudon County until 5:45 p.m. The National Weather Service said the severe and destructive thunderstorm blew through portions of Loudoun County with winds nearing 80 mph and some radar-indicated hail.
One of those storms was expected to bring up to 80 mph wind gusts to portions of the region, hail and more to the area.
A warning was also issued for areas along the Tidal Potomac through 7 p.m. as troubling wind gusts enter the region.
The storms caused trees to fall Anne Arundel, Carroll, Frederick and Prince George’s counties in Maryland and Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William and Stafford counties in Virginia.
Officials across the D.C.-Baltimore area canceled several evening events due to the presence of severe weather.
In the District, officials overseeing the Mubadala Citi DC Open said the semifinals have been suspended following heavy rainfall and wind gusts upward of 60 mph.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and the city’s Arts Council also said this weekend’s “Artscape 40” festivities, which usually happen despite dreary weather, have been canceled through Saturday night.
“Artscape is a rain or shine event, but this evening’s weather calls for dangerous conditions, and we must prioritize safety above all else,” the office said. “The safety and well-being of our attendees, staff, volunteers, vendors, and the City’s support teams are of paramount.”
Thousands without power
Thousands across the region were waiting for power to come back on. Most of those people are in Northern Virginia.
Dominion Energy told WTOP that as of 7 p.m. it had nearly 4,000 homes and businesses without power in Loudoun County and another 4,500 homes and businesses in Fairfax County. NOVEC saw similar numbers, reporting over 3,000 outages for its customers.
Dominion also said 5,000 customers were in the dark in Fauquier County.
Hot end to workweek
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.
Schools in Fairfax County, Virginia, canceled all outdoor activities on fields and courts through 8 p.m. Friday due to the heat. The parks and recreation department in Prince George’s County, Maryland, also canceled the majority of its outdoor programs.
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.
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:
SUNDAY: Scattered strong thunderstorms, mainly south, southwest of D.C. Possible heavy rain, isolated flash flooding. Temperatures between 86 and 89.
Winds: South 5-10 mph
SUNDAY NIGHT: Chance of patchy fog. Lows between 66 and 74.
Winds: Southwest 5 mph
MONDAY: Hazy sunshine, hot. Slightly less humid. Highs between 92 and 97, with a heat index between 94 and 99.
Winds: Southwest 5-10 mph
TUESDAY: Partly cloudy, scattered storms. Highs between 90 and 95, with a heat index between 95 and 100.
Winds: Southwest 5-10 mph
WEDNESDAY: Partly cloudy, scattered storms. Highs between 81 and 86.
Winds: East 5-10 mph
WTOP’s Tadiwos Abedje, Kyle Cooper, Ivy Lyons, Matt Small and Christopher Thomas contributed to this report.
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