Severe Thunderstorm, Flood Warnings Issued For Parts Of VA, DC

Updated 2:45 p.m.

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch until 9 p.m. for much of Northern and central Virginia, and the District of Columbia Tuesday afternoon, with damaging winds seen as the main hazard.

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued until 3:30 pm. for D.C. as well as these communities in Virginia: the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park, as well as Arlington, Prince William, Clarke, Culpeper, Loudoun, Fairfax, Frederick, Greene, Madison, and Fauquier counties.

A flash flood warning has been issued for the District, Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, the city of Fairfax and Falls Church until 6 p.m.

At 2:54 p.m., Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between a half-inch and 1.5 inches of rain has fallen, with an expected rainfall rate of 1.5 to 2.5 inches per hour, the NWS said.

Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2.5 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

"Damaging winds will cause some trees and large branches to fall," according to an NWS alert. "This could injure those outdoors, as well as damage homes and vehicles. Roadways may become blocked by downed trees. Localized power outages are possible. Unsecured light objects may become projectiles."

A severe thunderstorm watch is in place until 9 p.m. for Alexandria, Charlottesville, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fredericksburg, Harrisonburg, Lynchburg, Manassas and Richmond areas.

The region faces a second day of thunderstorms and showers that could spark flash flooding, with more rain likely in the coming days, according to the National Weather Service.

With showers and thunderstorms expected to bring new rainfall amounts of three-quarters to 1 inch across much of the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. region on Tuesday, the NWS issued a flood watch from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Some areas could be drenched by 5 inches as rounds of rain move through.

“Numerous thunderstorms are expected to form and move across the Watch area this afternoon and evening,” according to the NWS. “While thunderstorms will move along at a decent clip, they will be capable of producing very heavy instantaneous rainfall rates, and may exhibit some training motion at times. Multiple rounds of thunderstorms may be possible at any single location. In total, a widespread 1 to 2 inches of rain is expected, with higher embedded totals of 2 to 5 inches.”

"Flooding downpours, hail and damaging wind gusts will be the primary threats in any severe thunderstorm that erupts," Accuweather meteorologist Peyton Simmers said. "These thunderstorms can slow down the evening commute along parts of the I-95 corridor including in New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C."

An active weather day is expected today, with threats for both flash flooding and severe thunderstorms this afternoon into this evening. A Flood Watch has been issued for much of the area, and many of the same locations are in a Slight Risk for Severe Thunderstorms from SPC. pic.twitter.com/95MFZ06XJf
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) July 1, 2025

On Tuesday evening, thunderstorms are expected before 5 a.m. and then switch over to a chance of showers, according to the weather forecast. These storms could produce heavy rainfall.

Showers are likely to continue into Wednesday, with thunderstorms possible after 11 a.m., according to NWS. Otherwise, expect partly sunny skies, with a high near 85 and a 60 percent chance of precipitation. Any new rainfall will be in amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, also higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.

Related: When To Watch 'A Capitol Fourth' Concert, Fireworks 2025

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Here is the National Weather Service’s long-term forecast for Northern Virginia and the D.C. area.

Wednesday Night: A chance of thunderstorms before 8pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 67. Light west wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 88. Northwest wind 6 to 8 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.

Independence Day: Sunny, with a high near 86.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.

Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

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