Storm Timing Shifts For NoVA, Air Quality Alert In Effect Wednesday

An incoming cold front could bring storms to Northern Virginia earlier than expected, and as oppressive heat blankets the Washington, D.C., region on Wednesday, an air quality alert is also in effect.

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality issued a Code Orange air quality alert for Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties, as well as the cities of Manassas, Manassas Park, Arlington, Falls Church and Alexandria, according to the National Weather Service.

A Code Orange means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include children, people suffering from asthma, heart disease or other lung diseases, and the elderly. The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors.

Additionally, most of the region was under a heat advisory Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., according to the NWS. Temperatures are expected to climb into the upper 90s, with heat index values reaching up to 109 degrees.

Meanwhile, a few isolated late-afternoon showers or thunderstorms can't be ruled out, especially west of D.C., according to the Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang.

On Thursday, there's a slight chance of showers before 2 p.m. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will continue through the afternoon into evening as a cold front approaches, with a threat of damaging winds and flooding, forecasters said.

"Scattered showers and storms are likely during the evening. Some storms could bring damaging winds and flooding," the Capital Weather Gang wrote. "Less intense showers and storms remain possible overnight with muggy lows in the 70s."

As the cold front exits the state, temperatures will be significantly cooler Friday and through the weekend.

Here's the detailed NWS forecast for Northern Virginia:

Wednesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 105. South wind 3 to 7 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 79. South wind 5 to 7 mph.

Thursday: A slight chance of showers before 2pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 2pm and 5pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 5pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 93. Heat index values as high as 101. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 5am, then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Northeast wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three-quarters of an inch possible.

Friday: A chance of showers before 11am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11am and 2pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. North wind around 11 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Friday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a chance of showers between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 81.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 82.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.

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