Severe Storms, Showers Likely To Cool Off DC, NoVA: Forecast

VIRGINIA — After a sweltering Wednesday for residents of Northern Virginia and the greater Washington, D.C. area, Thursday will be a bit cooler as storms move through, according to the National Weather Service.

Expect to see a high of 92 degrees under mostly cloudy skies, with severe thunderstorms later in the day, according to the NWS. That's down from the low 100s that were reported across the region on Wednesday. Still, heat index values will remain as high as 100.

"Thunderstorms across the Mid-Atlantic could also be strong to severe where some gusty winds and heavy rain may lead to isolated to scattered instances of flash flooding by this evening and into the overnight," according to the weather service.

Isolated showers and thunderstorms will occur before 11 a.m., becoming more likely after 2 p.m., NWS says. Some storms may be severe and new rainfall amounts could possibly be between a quarter and a half of an inch. Showers and thunderstorms may continue into the evening, before switching to just showers after 2 a.m.

Looking ahead to Labor Day, the national capital area will see showers and temperatures in the 80s over the weekend, before clearing on Sunday night, NWS says. The holiday will be sunny, with a high near 82.

Air quality has also improved in Northern Virginia and the District. On Wednesday, the region was under a Code Orange alert, which meant that people with some health issues needed to avoid outside activities.

A Code Yellow was issued for Thursday, indicating a moderate level of pollutants. "Air quality may pose a moderate health risk, especially for those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution, according to the Air Quality Index.

There is a Marginal Risk of severe thunderstorms for much of the area this afternoon and this evening with the greatest risk being damaging wind gusts. #DCwx #MDwx #VAwx #WVwx pic.twitter.com/t2toY2oEeq
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) August 29, 2024

Here is the National Weather Service forecast for the Washington, D.C., region:

• Thursday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 11am, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 2pm. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 92. Heat index values as high as 100. East wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Thursday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 2am, then a chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 68. East wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
• Friday: A chance of showers, mainly after 2pm. Cloudy, with a high near 79. East wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
• Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then a slight chance of showers between 11pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. East wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Saturday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. South wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
• Saturday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
• Sunday: A chance of showers after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Sunday Night: A chance of showers before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Labor Day: Sunny, with a high near 82.
• Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56.
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.
• Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.
• Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.