VA, DC Weather: Heavy Downpours, Return Of Heat In Weekend Forecast

VIRGINIA — Downpours are possible on Friday in Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., followed by a slightly less chance of rain on Saturday and warmer temperatures on Sunday and Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

The NWS issued a hazardous weather outlook for Northern Virginia and D.C. on Friday, with isolated instances of flooding possible from late Friday morning through early evening, especially in the Interstate 95 corridor urban areas.

Looking ahead to Monday, the NWS said isolated severe thunderstorms are possible Monday afternoon and evening in the D.C. area.

Dew points are expected to make conditions more uncomfortable in the D.C. area starting Friday and continuing into Monday. Temperatures will remain in the 70s on Friday, followed by highs in the mid- to upper-80s on Saturday and Sunday.

The downpours on Friday could cause localized flooding, according to the Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang. After more rain on Saturday, summer sunshine will take over on Sunday, with only a slight chance of showers, the Capital Weather Gang said.

WUSA9 forecasters are calling for a better chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening on Friday.

"We may see a little sunshine break through the clouds during the afternoon," WUSA9 said. "If this happens, it could help destabilize the atmosphere and support a few stronger storms later in the afternoon and evening. A couple of storms could reach severe limits."

NBC4 said D.C. area residents should expect more sunshine on Sunday, especially in the morning, followed by temperatures hitting 90 on Monday.

As of last Friday, June 16, the region was 7 to 9 inches below normal rainfall totals since the beginning of the year, putting the area in a moderate drought zone. The rain over the last few days will help revitalize gardens, shrubbery and trees in the area, but will not be enough to eliminate the rain deficit.

Forecasters have said an El Niño weather pattern has now officially returned. El Niños usually bring more precipitation to the West Coast but less precipitation to the Mid-Atlantic area. Nonetheless, after this current rainy and stormy period, thunderstorms and showers remain in the 10-day forecast for the D.C. and Northern Virginia region.

The Capital Weather Gang said storms may continue into Tuesday, although temperatures are not expected to be as hot as Monday. "If [a] low pressure again stalls out in the eastern U.S., we could rekindle our wetter, cloudier pattern into next week," the Capital Weather Gang said.

Here is a look at the National Weather Service forecast through Monday for Northern Virginia and D.C.:

Friday: Showers before 8 a.m., then showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., then showers and thunderstorms likely after 5 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. High near 77.

Friday night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 2 a.m., then scattered showers between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. Patchy fog after 11 p.m. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 68.

Saturday: A slight chance of showers before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between noon and 2 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85.

Saturday night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 11 p.m., then a slight chance of showers between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68.

Sunday: A slight chance of showers between noon and 2 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.

Sunday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.

Monday: A chance of showers, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 89.

Monday night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 2 a.m., then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.