PM Update: Showers and storms weakening; more possible on Friday

11:10 p.m. Update: The Severe Thunderstorm Watch is cancelled for most of the area except the far southern suburbs (Stafford, Charles, Calvert, St. Marys counties), and should be allowed to expire there at midnight. Showers and storms continue to stream across the area from the west and southwest, but are tending to weaken as they get closer to D.C.

No major damage has been reported locally. Out west there has been flash flooding and road closures in Culpeper and in Fauquier County, and hail 1 inch in diamter in Middleburg (Loudoun County). Here’s an awesome photo of a lightning strike taken from near Dupont Circle.

Scroll down for earlier updates and the forecast for tomorrow and beyond

10:05 p.m. Update: Storms in and around the District and Beltway have weakened and severe threat is diminishing, but scattered lightning remains so be careful if you have to go out. Stronger storms are still ongoing to the southwest of D.C. in western Prince William and southern Fauquier counties as well as northwest Stafford County.

9:15 p.m. Update: No severe thunderstorm warnings are currently in effect for the metro area. But the storm moving east across Fairfax County and I-66 has an impressive amount of lightning with it, now reaching the west branch of the Beltway.

8:25 p.m. Update: Severe storms are moving east into western Fairfax County especially along I-66. These storms may contain damaging winds in excess of 60 mph and quarter-sized hail. Central to northern Montgomery County is also seeing thundershowers. If they hold together, storms will move east across the Beltway and DC from approximately 9 to 11 p.m.

6:45 p.m. Update: A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for most of the D.C. area until midnight. Any storms could contain damaging winds and hail as well as dangerous lightning and downpours. There are storms currently in the far west suburbs. They are having trouble advancing east, but might make better eastward progress as the evening goes on. Follow storms and warnings on radar below, and our live weather tweets above.

From 5:20 p.m.: For the second straight day, we’ve had a touch of summer, with highs reaching the low 80s and a little humidity. It’s remained dry, but a wave of low pressure moving in from the west promises scattered to widespread showers and storms overnight. The wave exits Friday, but we can’t totally rid ourselves of shower chances.

Through Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms - a few strong to severe - have developed in northwest Virginia. This activity will gradually head east and northeast - reaching the western parts of the metro area between 6 and 8 p.m. most likely, and probably overspreading the majority of the region between 7 and 9 p.m. Between midnight and 2 a.m., rain coverage decreases in coverage and intensity, with rain odds decreasing from 60 percent to 30 percent. Temps are mild, with lows ranging from the low-to-mid 60s.

Related: Gusty storms possible tonight in Washington, D.C. and Baltimore areas

Friday: While I can’t rule out an early morning shower (20 percent chance), I think we see some partial clearing as the overnight wave moves off. So I’ll call for partly sunny skies into the afternoon. By late afternoon, a cold front slices through the region, bringing a 30-40 percent chance of showers and storms. It’s warm, with highs 80-85. Winds are light from southwest and west, at around 10 mph.

See David Streit’s forecast through the weekend. And if you haven’t already, join us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. For related traffic news, check out Dr. Gridlock.