Storms May Start July 4 Weekend: NoVA, DC Weather Forecast

WASHINGTON, DC — Rain may dampen the start of the Fourth of July weekend, but may not spoil Independence Day plans in the Northern Virginia and DC region, according to the latest forecasts.

While earlier forecasts suggested possible rain each day of the Fourth of July weekend, AccuWeather predicts stormy weather gets less likely as the weekend goes on.

The greatest risk for precipitation happens Saturday. The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang expects the driest time of Saturday to be the early morning with a greater likelihood of rain in the afternoon. Forecasters say showers and thunderstorms could linger into the night but become less intense. High temperatures in the DC region could reach the 90s.

There is some risk for severe thunderstorms in the DC region Saturday afternoon and evening, according to AccuWeather's weather map. For areas that do get severe storms, potential impacts are flash flooding, damaging wind gusts, frequent lightning, hail and localized power outages.

"Following strong to severe storms on Saturday, the front will sag southeastward enough to bring some drier air into New England and much of the Northeast from Sunday to Independence Day," said AccuWeather meteorologist Dean DeVore in the latest forecast post.

If a cold front appears Sunday morning, the Capital Weather Gang says the weather could begin to clear. There is still a chance of early showers or thunderstorms, but forecasters believe most precipitation will move south of DC. Temperatures are expected to remain in the 80s.

On Monday, July 4, AccuWeather didn't rule out scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon, but the likelihood is lower than the forecast from a few days ago. The Capital Weather Gang also says there's potential for an afternoon shower or thunderstorm, but it should be clear as the night arrives. The DC region's temperatures are expected to reach the upper 80s or low 90s for the holiday.

If you're heading to beach communities like Ocean City, Maryland and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, AccuWeather expects 90 percent of the weekend from Friday to Monday to be clear of rain. The main concern is potential showers and thunderstorms Saturday into the evening.

Here's the Washington, DC forecast from the National Weather Service:

Friday: Mostly sunny with a high near 95 degrees, and scattered showers and thunderstorms mainly after 5 p.m. Heat index values could get up to 101 degrees. At night, scattered showers and thunderstorms before 5 a.m., then a slight chance of showers with a low around 75 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Saturday: A slight chance of showers before 11 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. The high temperature will be near 91 degrees. At night, showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. with a low around 72 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Sunday: A chance of showers mainly between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. and partly sunny with a high near 86 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 30 percent. At night, partly cloudy, with a low around 69 degrees.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88 degrees and low of 70 degrees at night.