National Weather Service Issues Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Northern Virginia

IMAGE: Area in purple is under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch

The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for much of Northern Virginia. The watch is in effect Friday through 10 p.m.

The weather service issued the watch at 1:55 p.m. Friday.

Virginia counties under the watch include Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and Spotsylvania. The cities under the watch include Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fredericksburg, Manassas and Manassas Park.

The District of Columbia is also under the watch.

A watch means that the potential exists for the development of severe thunderstorms.

The forecast for Friday afternoon and evening, according to the NWS: Mostly cloudy with numerous showers and thunderstorms in the evening...then partly cloudy after midnight. Lows in the upper 60s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph...becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of rain 60 percent.

Saturday is expected to be sunny, with highs in the lower 80s and northwest winds around 10 mph.