'Monster' Storm To Dampen Halloween Festivities In VA: Latest Timing

A "monster" storm will dampen Halloween activities leading up to Friday's holiday and is expected to bring heavy rain and dangerous conditions to parts of Virginia, according to the latest forecasts.

Soon after a nor'easter exits the mid-Atlantic coast Tuesday night, the combination of Hurricane Melissa tracking offshore, a developing storm and a blast of cold air pushing into the area could create hazardous conditions and upend holiday plans during the middle and latter part of this week, AccuWeather forecasters said Tuesday.

Virginia is likely to feel most of the storm's effects from Wednesday into Thursday. In that time, more than an inch of rain is likely to fall in Northern Virginia, according to The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang.

The storm could also produce periods of windy weather, mainly late Wednesday night into Thursday morning, with some gusts up to 20 to 30 mph.

As far as specific timing, the Capital Weather Gang said spotty showers could develop Wednesday afternoon, but the steadiest rain will probably occur once the sun sets and into Thursday morning.

"A period of heavy rain and even a bit of thunder is possible, mostly between predawn and midmorning Thursday," the forecast stated. "The National Weather Service is predicting about 1.5 inches of rain. We’d lean gently toward a bit less because the storm is tracking to our west, which often means the rain is more showery than steady."

The incoming storm is also expected to continue eroding beaches from the Carolinas to New England, and it could impact travel in several mid-Atlantic states.

"The combination of drenching rain and gusty winds will slow motorists on the highways and can lead to airline delays in a busy corridor from Washington, D.C., to Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New York City and Boston," AccuWeather forecasters said.

For those heading out with their little goblins and ghouls for trick-or-treating on Halloween, you're in luck. The coming storm should move out of Northern Virginia by Friday, giving way to cool, clear conditions.

Here's a look at the detailed National Weather Service forecast for Northern Virginia:

Tuesday Night: Isolated showers between 9pm and 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Northeast wind 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday: Isolated showers after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 58. Northeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday Night: Rain, with thunderstorms also possible after 5am. Low around 52. East wind 9 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Thursday: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm before noon, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly after noon. High near 66. East wind 11 to 17 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. West wind around 8 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 59.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.