NoVA Weather: Severe Thunderstorms, Hail, Damaging Winds In Forecast

VIRGINIA — Severe thunderstorms are possible through Saturday night with heavy downpours, hail, scattered storms and potentially damaging wind gusts for Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia.

A strong cold front moving in from the west will bring at times severe storms to the region late Saturday afternoon, forecasters said.

The National Weather Service, with rainfall estimates between half an inch and an inch, although the greatest threat to the state will be locally damaging 33 mph wind gusts.

Areas under a hazardous weather outlook through Saturday night include: Fairfax, Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria, Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, Prince William, Manassas and Manassas Park.

"The main threat will be damaging winds. However, the stronger storms may pose the risk of large hail & even a few brief tornadoes," the Weather Service said.

Here’s the latest forecast from the National Weather Service:

Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms before 5pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5pm. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds. High near 73. Southwest wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday Night: Showers likely, mainly before 8pm. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 47. Northwest wind 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Sunday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 63. Northwest wind 6 to 10 mph.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. Northwest wind 6 to 9 mph.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 61. Northwest wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.