Weekend Storm To Bring Heavy Rain, Strong Winds To NoVA

VIRGINIA — A storm system approaching the East Coast will bring steady rains and gusty winds to Virginia residents this weekend, according to AccuWeather and the National Weather Service.

NWS meteorologists expect the rain to arrive in Virginia on Sunday morning and continue throughout the day. The buckets of rain will be accompanied by gusting winds and the possibility of a rare December thunderstorm.

Grady Gilman, an AccuWeather meteorologist, said winds will be howling in the atmosphere on Sunday.

"High winds in the lower part of the atmosphere may be dragged down to ground and sea surface level in the form of powerful gusts ranging from 40-60 mph along the Interstate-95 zone from Sunday afternoon to Sunday night," Gilman said.

Gilan also noted that the severity of the storm could impact travel conditions on Sunday.

"Heavy rainfall will accompany the frontal passage and can cause flooding on streets and highways along with reduced visibility," Gilman said. "Significant ground and air travel delays are likely as the heavy rain, strong winds and thunderstorms come together in the East from Sunday to Sunday night."

The National Weather Service said thunderstorms are possible for our region after 4 p.m. on Sunday.

"Rainfall amounts around 1-3" are most likely," the NWS forecast discussion said. "The recently dry conditions may minimize the flood threat, but localized flooding cannot be ruled out given the higher rainfall amounts and the fact that rainfall rates may be heavy at times with the frontal passage."

Experts said temperatures will be mild throughout the weekend, but colder air will move in on Monday.

Here is the full forecast for Northern Virginia this weekend:

• Friday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
• Saturday: Patchy fog between 8am and 9am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 58. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
• Saturday night: A chance of showers after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. South wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Sunday: Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 4pm. High near 64. South wind 13 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
• Sunday night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1am, then rain, mainly after 1am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 38. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
• Monday: Rain likely before 7am. Sunny, with a high near 44. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 60%.