June Recap: Spectacularly Stormy

What did June 3, 4, 7, 10, 14, 16, 18, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, and 30 have in common at Reagan National Airport (DCA)?

Thunderstorms occurred on all of these days. In fact, thunderstorms happened twice on June 16, 21, 27, and 30, and three times during the historic June 4 outbreak giving DCA an astonishing 19 thunderstorms for the month. The biggest thunderstorm "drought" lasted only three days. By comparison, June 2007 had only seven storms and two separate weeks when there was no activity.

Keep reading for more staggering thunderstorm statistics from June. Will July start on a stormy note? See our full forecast and our July 4 outlook.

Not only were the storms numerous, but they were also often severe. Seven severe thunderstorm watches were issued for our area and three tornado watches. According to contributor "potomacrvr" on Eastern US Wx Forums, our local National Weather Service office in Sterling, Va. issued 205-210 county/district warnings for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes (which includes the eastern panhandle of West Virginia, central and northern Virginia, and Maryland west of the Bay and east of the Garrett County). Twelve severe thunderstorm warnings were issued for the District alone.

These warnings were verified by dozens of severe weather reports. There were more than 380 reports of severe weather in Va. (for the entire state) including 10 confirmed tornadoes and close to 200 hail reports. In Md. (for the entire state), 135 reports of severe weather were logged, equaling the number for June 2004-2007 combined. The District compiled 10 severe weather reports, all from wind damage.

The storms produced heavy rain, but tended to move fast. So the rain totals were not nearly as impressive as May's. Nonetheless, June finished with 4.64" of rain at DCA, roughly 50% above the average of 3.13". For the year, precipitation is running over 9" above average. There's no drought.

While June will be remembered for its thunderstorms, it was also noteworthy for its warmth. It finished 3.5 degrees above average at DCA, becoming the 4th warmest June on record. The temperature reached 90 or higher eight times. The first half of 2008 (January-June) was the fifth warmest on record at DCA.