Tropical System To Bring Heavy Rain, Gusty Winds To VA This Weekend

VIRGINIA — Meteorologists are watching the Atlantic waters off the Southeast coast to see if a tropical storm develops, that could ruin the weekend for Virginians with heavy rain and gale-force winds.

The storm system will move up the East Coast this weekend and could bring drop rain Friday night into Sunday on the state, said The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang. But, some models show the storm just missing Virginia to the east, or only bringing light showers to the region.

"Stalled fronts along the southeastern coast of the United States are one way a 'homebrew' tropical system can form," AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said.

A combination of energy in the atmosphere would likely cause a low pressure area along the East Coast to develop by the end of the week, according to AccuWeather's forecast. Water temperatures in that area are in the 80s, which is well above the threshold for a tropical storm to develop.

"There will be stiff southerly breezes [wind shear] a few thousand miles above the surface in this zone," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty said. "Not only might the wind shear inhibit full tropical development, it may also push the system onshore swiftly and essentially end the development process."

Over the next few days, hazardous weather is expected to impact the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay, the tidal Potomac River, according to the National Weather Service. Storms are also expected along the I-95 corridor through Maryland, northern Virginia and, Washington, D.C.

Gale force wind gusts and heavy rains are likely to develop late Friday through early Sunday, according to NWS. This could lead to flooding on low-lying areas of the shoreline this weekend.

A few clouds were in the sky over northern Virginia on Wednesday morning, according to NWS. The rest of the day will be mostly sunny with a high temperature of 79 and a low tonight of 54.

Here is the NWS seven-day forecast for northern Virginia:

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56. Calm wind.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 80. Northeast wind around 6 mph.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. East wind around 6 mph.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 74. East wind 6 to 10 mph.

Friday Night: Showers likely, mainly after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Saturday: Showers likely, mainly before 8am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Saturday Night:A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Sunday: A chance of rain before 2pm, then a chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.

Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60.

Tuesday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 75. Chance of precipitation is 30%.