Strong Storms, Damaging Winds Possible In NoVA, DC As March Goes Out Like A Lion

VIRGINIA/DC — Strong storms are expected to arrive in Northern Virginia and D.C. Thursday evening, with heavy rain and powerful winds in the forecast.

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Northern Virginia and D.C. until 10 p.m. Thursday. The storms could produce locally damaging winds, with a slight chance to produce a tornado in Northern Virginia.

The NWS has issued a tornado watch for areas south of Fredericksburg.

"Be sure to have a way to receive weather alerts, and have a plan to seek shelter quickly in case severe weather threatens your neighborhood," the NWS said.

Wind gusts could reach 40 mph in D.C. and Northern Virginia, with thunderstorms producing even stronger winds, according to the weather service.

NBC4 meteorologist Chuck Bell said the biggest threats are damaging wind gusts and quarter-sized hail, Bell said.

The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang noted that March is definitely not going out like a lamb, with south winds gusting to 45 mph.

As temperatures climb into the lower 70s, the warmth "is enough to set off some late-day thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds, and even a tornado is possible," the Capital Weather Gang said.

Dominion Energy said Thursday that the severe thunderstorms and strong wind gusts may cause power outages. The electric utility company encouraged its customers to download the Dominion Energy app to quickly report an outage and monitor for status updates.

The stormy conditions should quiet down after midnight, according to the Capital Weather Gang. On Friday, April 1, high temperatures are forecast in the high 50s, but it will feel colder due to gusty winds throughout the day.

Here's the NWS forecast for the close-in suburbs of D.C. for the next few days:

Thursday night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 a.m., then a chance of showers. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds. Low around 51. Southwest wind 13 to 17 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.

Friday: A chance of showers, mainly before 8 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. Breezy, with a west wind 14 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph.

Friday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37. Northwest wind 10 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 57. Northwest wind around 8 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.

Saturday night: A chance of showers after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.

Sunday: A chance of showers, mainly before 8 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.

Sunday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 39.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.