Gusts Near 50 MPH Possible In NoVA, DC This Weekend With Strong Storm

VIRGINIA — Wind gusts approaching 50 mph will whip through Maryland this weekend, bringing a risk of power outages and downed trees as a storm moves toward the Atlantic Coast, forecasters say.

Wind gusts in the District and Northern Virginia could reach 45 mph on Saturday, and inch up to 47 mph during the night, the National Weather Service said.

"Severe storms will continue to press eastward through the Appalachians and a large part of the Atlantic coast on Saturday," AccuWeather said. "Along with the likelihood of potent thunderstorms, high winds, power outages and property damage can occur from southeastern New York and southern New England to the Carolinas, Georgia and part of northern Florida."

The forecast brings a 70 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms on Saturday as a strong cold front approaches the DC region, adds the National Weather Service. Wind gusts are forecast to exceed 50 miles per hour in almost 24 states and the District of Columbia as the storm moves through.

"A few spots of wind damage are possible Saturday. At the least, a wind advisory seems likely for much (or all) of our area," The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang said. "Higher elevations west and northwest of the city, take note that high-wind warnings seem likely there. Sunday into the next workweek have improved conditions for outdoor activities, but we could use more rain than is coming to fill in our deficit since Jan. 1."

Showers and a thunderstorm are most likely before 11 a.m. Saturday, then clearing skies. A southwest wind of 22 to 29 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph is expected, the NWS said. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Saturday night skies will be mostly cloudy early and then clear, but winds from the west will star at 26 to 31 mph with gusts up to 47 mph before decreasing to 20 to 25 mph after midnight.

“Very strong winds” in the upper atmosphere could be brought down to the ground, said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty.

"Power outages and tree damage are possible, and any loose objects can blow around,” Douty said.

Great Plains states are expected to see the worst of this storm, with tornadoes and “explosive” thunderstorms possible, per AccuWeather. Heavy snow is possible in a wide band from portions of South Dakota to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula from Thursday night until Saturday morning, said AccuWeather forecasters.

Here’s a look at the extended forecast around Maryland for the weekend:

Friday: A slight chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. South wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday Night: A chance of showers before 2am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 2am and 5am, then showers likely after 5am. Cloudy, with a low around 60. Southwest wind 14 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 11am, then a chance of showers between 11am and 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. High near 76. Windy, with a southwest wind 23 to 26 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 41. Windy, with a west wind 26 to 31 mph decreasing to 20 to 25 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 48 mph.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 56. Breezy, with a northwest wind 11 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.