‘Heat Dome’ Shatters, Ushering In Wet, Stormy Weekend In NoVA: See Forecast, Timing

Cooler temperatures swept across Virginia on Friday, shattering the "heat dome" that baked the state most of this week and serving as a harbinger of wet weather to start the weekend.

"A backdoor cold front will stall out over the area today," National Weather Service forecasters said. "Thick low clouds are expected as a result, along with much cooler temperatures. High temperatures will only make it into the upper 70s and lower 80s for most."

Moderate to heavy showers south and west of D.C. should become lighter by midafternoon, according to the Capital Weather Gang's latest forecast, with an occasional light shower and some mist possible anywhere through afternoon.

Isolated showers or thunderstorms are possible through the evening and overnight hours, forecasters said.

The cooler temperatures will be short-lived, however, as the heat returns Saturday. High temperatures are likely to reach 90 degrees, and humidity could set off thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening hours. A few storms could be severe, with winds of 50 to 60 mph and flooding downpours.

Showers and thunderstorms may be possible again on Sunday, the NWS said, but coverage looks to be lower compared to Saturday. Temperatures will be warm once again, with highs in the lower 90s.

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

Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 74. East wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Friday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Patchy fog between 10pm and 5am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 73. East wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Heat index values as high as 101. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. West wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Northwest wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Sunday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Monday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Monday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 76. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Tuesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly after 2pm. High near 89. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

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Patch editor Veronica Flesher contributed reporting.