NoVA Weather: Thunderstorms, Hail, Winds In Forecast

VIRGINIA — Thunderstorms are expected Monday afternoon and evening across D.C. and Northern Virginia that could bring rain and small hail, weather forecasters said.

“Showers continue ... with a marginal severe storm threat this afternoon along & east of I-95. Highest impacts between 1-7pm w/ wind & hail as the main threats. Rainfall will be less than 0.50" for most areas. Locally heavier rain over northeast MD,” National Weather Service office in Baltimore-Washington said in a Monday statement.

Much-needed showers and storms will pass through the DC region Monday, with temperatures and humidity climbing by the weekend, which could bring numerous showers and storms late Saturday through Sunday, The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang wrote.

A significant severe weather outbreak is unlikely, but thunderstorms could be strong enough to disrupt travel and outdoor activities from the Gulf Coast through New Jersey, Accuweather.com said. Damaging wind gusts and frequent lightning will be the main threats, but hail and isolated tornadoes could occur where the strongest storms develop.

Columbia, South Carolina; Raleigh, North Carolina; Washington, D.C.; Baltimore; and Philadelphia are all at risk of severe weather late on Monday. AccuWeather forecasters say that the severe thunderstorm threat will diminish during the first part of Monday night as drier, less humid air begins to settle over the region.

Rain and possibly a gusty thunderstorm are possible late Monday afternoon and evening, especially along and east of Interstate 95, the Capital Weather Gang said. Some storms could be severe with damaging wind gusts, mainly east of I-95. Rainfall totals will range from 0.25 to 0.5 inches, but could tally an inch or so where the heaviest downpours occur.

Here's the latest NWS forecast for DC/Northern Virginia for the week ahead:

Monday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 5pm, then scattered showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. High near 79. Southwest wind 11 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Monday Night: Scattered showers before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 57. West wind 6 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. West wind 6 to 10 mph.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. South wind 5 to 8 mph.

Wednesday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. Southwest wind 7 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 57.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 85.