NoVA, DC Weather: Damaging Winds Possible With Severe Storm Threat

VIRGINIA/DC — As a cold front tracks through Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for parts of the region shortly after 2 p.m on Tuesday.

Severe storms are heading east across Fairfax County, Arlington and Alexandria and into D.C., the NWS said. The main threats from the storms will be damaging winds and large hail.

On Monday, the forecast for hail and strong winds did not play out in most parts of Northern Virginia, with many areas seeing little if any rain.

A slow-moving area of low pressure and the associated cool front could trigger scattered showers and storms on Tuesday. There remains a potential for some strong to severe storms, "even though it didn’t materialize yesterday," the Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang said Tuesday morning.

The best chance of strong-to-severe storms is east of D.C. and Interstate 95, according to the Capital Weather Gang. Rainfall in locations could vary from nothing to as much as an inch or more in heavier downpours, the forecasters said.

NBC4 meteorologist Chuck Bell noted that Monday's 80-percent chance for rain never materialized in the D.C. area, although Charlottesville had heavy rain and hail.

"Today will also have an 80-percent chance for rain, with the highest rain chances coming between 2 p.m.-6 p.m.," Bell said. "1 or 2 strong storms also possible."

WUSA reported Tuesday morning that the D.C. area will see some sunshine in the morning, followed by afternoon skies becoming cloudy as showers start to move in.

"As early as noon, a few showers will pass through the I-81 corridor. Showers will continue to progress off towards the east, moving over I-95 between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.," WUSA reported. "Skies will start to clear by 7 p.m."

Fox 5 reported there is a "marginal risk" for severe weather on Tuesday that could bring damaging wind gusts, heavy downpours and hail to the area in the late afternoon and early evening hours.

Looking ahead, Wednesday and Thursday are expected to be sunnier and less humid, followed by another chance of thunderstorms on Friday and over the weekend. Pop-up thunderstorms will be possible Friday with temperatures near 90 degrees.

Here is a look at the National Weather Service forecast for the work week in Northern Virginia and D.C.:

Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 3 p.m. High near 83.

Tuesday night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Northwest wind 8 to 10 mph.

Wednesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64. Northwest wind 5 to 8 mph.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 86. Northwest wind around 6 mph.

Thursday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.

Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.

Friday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.