VA, DC Weather: Days Of Rain, Storms Stretch Into Weekend Forecast

VIRGINIA — An unsettled weather pattern with rain showers and scattered thunderstorms moves into the Washington, D.C., region Wednesday and lingers until early next week, forecasters said. A hazardous weather outlook was issued for Northern Virginia and D.C. by the National Weather Service.

The period of rain could bring more than two inches of rain to the region by late Thursday, forecasters said. The most likely days to see rainfall will be Thursday and Friday, but showers and storms remain in the forecast through the beginning of next week.

The hazardous outlook includes the District of Columbia, plus Fairfax, Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria, Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, Prince William, Manassas and Manassas Park.

It is for the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay, Tidal Potomac River, and I-95 corridor through central Maryland, northern Virginia, and District of Columbia.

"Unsettled weather is expected over the next several days. Cooler than normal temps are expected through Thursday with more typical summertime temps and higher thunderstorm chances Friday and Saturday," said the National Weather Service office for Baltimore-Washington, D.C.

Temperatures in NoVA will reach only the low to mid 70s Wednesday and Thursday, before heat and humidity ramp up and highs climb into the low- to mid-80s Friday through Sunday, added the NWS.

Expect showers mainly after 5 p.m. Wednesday through Thursday night, when storms are likely. New precipitation amounts between a half and an inch of are possible through the evening.

Thursday brings a risk of thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. The NWS said new rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

The weather pattern on Friday and into the weekend looks more likely for storms, said forecasters. Showers and thunderstorms will be enhanced with daytime heating, “particularly if there is any sunshine.”

Poor beach weather is expected to develop this week from southern Georgia up through Long Island due to the building surf, added AccuWeather. As the breeze from the Atlantic continues, more moisture will be added to the air, boosting humidity levels as clouds increase.

In much of the mid-Atlantic, areas of rain will break out, expand northward and mitigate temperatures even further, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Dombek said.
In portions of the Delmarva Peninsula and the Carolinas, minor coastal flooding at times of high tide along with minor beach erosion could occur.

Here is a look at the National Weather Service forecast through Sunday for Northern Virginia and D.C.:

Wednesday: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 71. East wind 14 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Showers. Patchy fog after 10pm. Low around 60. Breezy, with a northeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Thursday: Showers likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. High near 73. Northeast wind 9 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 66. East wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Friday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 81. South wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Friday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 2am, then a chance of showers. Low around 67. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Saturday: A chance of showers, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. High near 84. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Saturday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a chance of showers between 8pm and 2am. Low around 66. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Sunday: A chance of showers between 8am and 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Sunday Night: A chance of thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Chance of precipitation is 30%.