Severe thunderstorms hover over DC area

Strong thunderstorms passed through parts of the D.C. area Monday night, a preview of more storms and severe weather in store for the region Tuesday. Here’s what you need to know.

Severe thunderstorm warnings popped up in the area, with the latest of which expired 9:45 p.m. Monday for parts of Fairfax and Prince William counties in Virginia, and parts of Charles County in Maryland. Some residents in Prince William county saw heavy rain and gusty winds.

Storm Team4 meteorologist Steve Prinzivalli is on the lookout for storms marching eastward out of West Virginia, which may arrive overnight.

However, it’s not over yet as intense thunderstorms are expected to pass through early Tuesday, meaning heavy rain and strong winds may pop up on your trip to work.

Storm Team4 meteorologist Mike Stinneford said that Tuesday commuters should plan for a water-logged morning rush hour as models show a potential band of thunderstorms moving into the region during the predawn hours of Tuesday.

Storm Team4 meteorologist Amelia Draper said that the storms could linger throughout the morning, midday and early afternoon hours.

Weather conditions could produce hail, and an isolated weak tornado are not out of the question, Draper said.

Even after it dries up on Tuesday, storm chances will persist throughout the rest of the work week. Storm Team4 meteorologist Ryan Miller said that afternoon storms will be in the forecast on Thursday and Friday, until a cold front is expected to bring calmer weather by the weekend.



Forecast:

Overnight: A few showers and thunderstorms, otherwise partly to mostly cloudy, warm and humid.

Tuesday: Storms are likely in the morning and could scatter later in the day. Highs will be in the middle 80s.

Wednesday: Partly sunny with a 30% chance of isolated storms during the night. Highs will be close to 90.

Thursday: Partly sunny with a 40% chance of scattered storms later in the day. Highs will again be near 90.

Friday: Mostly sunny with highs reaching 90 once again.


Outages

WTOP’s Abigail Constantino contributed to this report. 

Hugh Garbrick

Hugh graduated from the University of Maryland’s journalism college in 2020. While studying, he interned at the Queen Anne & Magnolia News, a local paper in Seattle, and reported for the school’s Capital News Service. Hugh is a lifelong MoCo resident, and has listened to the local radio quite a bit.

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