Just in time for evening commute: Some gusty thunderstorms roll through parts of DC area
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Amid a long, hot dry spell that has prompted a drought watch, thunderstorms are drifting through some parts of the the D.C. area Tuesday evening, bringing showers and the potential for gusty winds. Here’s what you need to know.
Around 5 p.m. Tuesday, there was a broken line of thunderstorms to the south of D.C. in the Fredericksburg area of Virginia and another “cluster of storms” near Purcellville and Leesburg, according to 7News First Alert Chief Meterologist Veronica Johnson.
Earlier, a strong thunderstorm in Northern Virginia briefly triggered a severe thunderstorm warning for parts of Loudoun County and Fauquier County with 60 mph wind gusts reported, according to the National Weather Service. That warning expired at 4:45 p.m.
Isolated chances of strong to severe thunderstorms, bring heavy rain and lightning, are possible up until about 8 p.m.
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Severe weather is expected to end by about midnight with temperatures remaining warm and muggy. That could lead to patchy fog in some areas.
The heat returns Wednesday, with temps expected to shoot back up into the 90s for several days. There will also be the chance for an isolated afternoon thunderstorm each day until Friday.
Current weather
Forecast:
TUESDAY EVENING:
STORM ALERT
Showers and storms
Temperatures: 80s to 70s
Winds: South 5-15 mph
Scattered showers and thunderstorms will continue this evening across the D.C. area. Some storms will have the potential to become strong to severe, with the greatest risk of damaging wind gusts and areas of moderate to heavy rain. Localized flooding is possible over flood prone areas.
TUESDAY NIGHT:
Lingering showers
Patchy Fog
Lows: 72-77
Winds: South 5-10 mph
Rain and storms will end giving way to partial clearing overnight. This could aid in the development of patchy fog across the area. Otherwise it will be warm and very humid.
WEDNESDAY:
Scattered clouds
Isolated Showers, Storms
Highs: 92-97
Winds: West 5-10 mph
Higher heat builds for the middle of the week with highs in the low to mid 90s. Humidity values will drop off a bit, but still plan for feels-like temperatures to be around 100 degrees. A stray shower or storm may bubble up during the afternoon or evening, but a much higher chance your neighborhood will remain dry.
THURSDAY:
HEAT ALERT
Partly cloudy
Isolated Showers, Storms
Highs: 93-98
Feels Like: 100-108
Winds: Northwest 5-10 mph
The month of August will start off very hot with highs well into the 90s. Heat index values will approach 105 degrees, so the National Weather Service may issue heat related alerts. First Alert Weather is on HEAT ALERT for the afternoon.
FRIDAY:
HEAT ALERT
Partly cloudy
Scattered Storms
Highs: 94-99
Feels Like: 100-108
Winds: Southwest 5-10 mph
We’ll round out the week with heat index values, once again, around 105 degrees. Scattered showers and storms are possible during the afternoon and evening hours. First Alert Weather HEAT ALERT continues.
FIRST WEEKEND OF AUGUST:
Plan for a hot and humid weekend. High temperatures will reach the mid 90s on Saturday and low 90s on Sunday. At this point, Saturday looks like it will feel the hottest with heat index values over 100 degrees. Scattered showers and storms are possible both days during the afternoon and evening hours.