10:30p: Turning radar off here (but trust us, moderate to heavy rain continues to move through) so you can see the area of the Flash Flood Warning (green polygon) in effect until 1:15a. Stay off the roads in the warned area if you can, and never try to cross a flooded road. pic.twitter.com/RACvuRAbv6
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) August 5, 2022
9:55 p.m. update: Storms continue to hammer the D.C. area with more moving through the Beltway and the District itself over the next hour or so, and then continuing into the eastern suburbs. Storm activity should dissipate in most spots by 11:30 p.m. or so.
8 p.m. update: All warnings have expired in the immediate D.C. area, although a band of strong storms is lingering south of D.C., stretching from Dale City east to Fort Washington and points east. More storms are approaching from the west, currently moving into far western Fauquier County and soon western Loudoun County. These may weaken as they get closer over the next couple of hours, but we’ll keep watching them.
Terrible news from near the White House where four people were apparently struck by lightning.
6:30 p.m update: A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for the District and most areas inside and around the Beltway. The warning is prompted by an intensifying storm around Silver Spring, College Park, Beltsville and Greenbelt, as well as another storm developing around Annandale and Falls Church and on track to move east through the city. The warning is in effect until 7:15 p.m. for the possibility of 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail, not to mention heavy rain and dangerous lightning.
6:35p: Here’s a close up of the Severe T’storm Warning covering DC and most spots inside and around the Beltway until 7:15. 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail possible as these storms move through, and of course heavy rain and dangerous lightning. pic.twitter.com/B32wD9MwZR
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) August 4, 2022
From earlier...
We snagged our third day in a row with high temperatures in the 90s. Believe it or not, this is only our second streak of three days at or above 90 this summer, which is typically referred to as a heat wave. While we might keep the run going tomorrow, it won’t be as easy given the increased chance of showers and storms — plus the clouds that come along with that risk.
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Through Tonight: Widely scattered storms will persist through about sunset. They could be locally intense, with isolated wind damage possible. Other than any evening showers or storms, skies will be partly cloudy. Lows will range across the 70s. Winds will be light from the south-southwest.
View the current weather at The Washington Post.
Tomorrow (Friday): Partial sunshine is the rule, but clouds will bubble with time. Highs will be in the upper 80s and low 90s. Winds will blow around 5 to 10 mph from the south and southwest. Dew points in the low 70s will ensure that it still feels about 100 during the peak heating of the day. Showers and thunderstorms are likely to develop in the afternoon and last into the evening.
See David Streit’s forecast through the weekend. And if you haven’t already, join us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For related traffic news, check out Gridlock.
Pollen update: Mold spores are low/high. Grass and weed pollens are low/moderate. Tree pollen is low.
Storm risks: The area is under a Level 1 of 5 marginal risk for severe weather today and Friday. It is also under a Level 2 of 4 slight risk for excessive rainfall on Friday.
WPC issues Day 2 Slight Risk Excessive Rainfall Outlook at Aug 4, 19:16z for LWX https://t.co/A9v637ZI2I pic.twitter.com/vf29Rroobu
— IEMBot LWX (@iembot_lwx) August 4, 2022
A weak atmospheric disturbance is passing to our north today. It can spark some storms as it does so. The most concentrated activity may stay north. At least occasional wind damage is possible in the strongest storms. Lightning and heavy rain also are a threat with any storm.
Friday’s storm potential will emerge in the terrain to the west and head our way in the afternoon. Storms will eat up the heat and humidity camped over the area, creating the potential for some damaging wind gusts as well as heavy rain and frequent lightning. Any slow-moving storms, or those that repeatedly pass over the same spots, may lead to flooding.
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