Strong Thunderstorms Could End NoVA's Excessive Heat

VIRGINIA — Hot and humid conditions will continue to bake D.C. and Northern Virginia on Friday, paving the way for a possible wet and stormy weekend.

An excessive heat warning was in effect Friday from noon until 8 p.m. for Arlington, Falls Church and Alexandria. A heat advisory was also in effect for parts of Northern Virginia including Prince William and Loudoun counties.

According to the National Weather Service, dangerously hot conditions are expected throughout the region with temperatures nearing 100 degrees and heat index values pushing 110 degrees.

"Heat indices will range between 104-107 degrees west of I-95 with values closer to 110 degrees in the Baltimore/DC metros," NWS forecasters said Friday. "Scattered to numerous strong storms look to provide a little relief this afternoon."

According to the Capital Weather Gang's latest forecast, strong to severe thunderstorms are possible Friday and Saturday. The primary threat is isolated damaging wind gusts, heavy downpours, flash flooding and frequent lightning.

"Mid-afternoon through late-evening hours is the most likely timetable each day (for storms)," the Capital Weather Gang's forecast said.

Storms may continue into Saturday night, but are likely to weaken in intensity, forecasters said.

Sunday will be less hot with temperatures expected to reach the low 90s. Some showers and isolated storms are possible, forecasters said.

"(Storms will be) hit-or-miss in nature — with projections of only around a tenth of an inch of rain in most spots," the Capital Weather Gang said. "Be flexible in your plans and perhaps carry rain gear to help you wait out any showers or storms."

Here's a look at this weekend's detailed NWS forecast for Northern Virginia:

Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Heat index values as high as 109. South wind 6 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 9pm, then scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 9pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Heat index values as high as 101. South wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Sunday: A chance of showers between 8am and 11am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Southwest wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Sunday Night: A chance of thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 30%.