NoVA, DC Weather: Severe Storms Timeline For Easter Weekend

WASHINGTON, DC — A hazardous weather outlook has been issued Thursday by the National Weather Service because of the risk for strong-to-severe thunderstorms in northern Virginia and the District of Columbia.

The best chance for thunderstorms is before 5 p.m. and then a lesser chance for storms between 8 and 11 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. Before the storms, the DC area will reach a summery high temperature in the low 80s.

"Another warm day across the area ahead of an approaching cold front," the NWS tweeted. "Expect highs to rise into the upper 70s-low 80s this afternoon. Additionally, some showers and thunderstorms will pop up along and ahead of a cold front. A few of these may become severe."

Areas under the hazardous weather outlook include the District of Columbia, Prince William, Manassas, Manassas Park, Fairfax, Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria, Stafford, Spotsylvania and King George.

In the DC metro, showers and storms move through late Thursday afternoon and evening.

"Friday will be superbly sunny and mild," the Capital Weather Gang at the Washington Post wrote. "Saturday is mild, too, but stray showers are possible. Clear skies return for Easter Sunday, but that bunny will feel a chill."

The hazardous outlook 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.

Gale warnings are in effect until noon for the entire tidal Potomac and from the middle Chesapeake Bay southward. This excludes the adjoining tributaries.

An isolated severe thunderstorm is possible this afternoon into the evening.

Much of the Easter weekend will be unsettled as cold fronts move through the area and brings rain.

"A stronger cold front will cross the region this afternoon," the National Weather Service said. "High pressure will build into the area on Friday, while another cold front moves in on Saturday. Unsettled conditions return early next week as another system moves through."

Here's the latest DC area forecast from the National Weather Service:

Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 5pm, then a chance of showers. Increasing clouds, with a high near 83. Southwest wind 11 to 16 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 11pm. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 48. Northwest wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 70. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 55. South wind around 8 mph.

Saturday: A chance of showers, mainly after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. South wind 6 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 57.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 40.