VA, DC Weather: Severe Storms Forecast In Hazardous Outlook

VIRGINIA — The District of Columbia and parts of northern Virginia are under a hazardous weather outlook Thursday with the threat of severe thunderstorms developing in the afternoon and evening in time to cause trouble during the evening commute, the National Weather Service said.

The hazardous outlook message is in effect for the Virginia portion of the Chesapeake Bay, Tidal Potomac River, and I-95 corridor through central Maryland, northern Virginia, and District of Columbia.

Scattered severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds and large hail will be possible this afternoon and evening. Locally heavy rainfall with isolated instances of flooding is possible.

"Severe thunderstorms are possible with the main threat being the potential for damaging wind gusts," the National Weather Service tweeted. "Multiple rounds of storms are expected. The greatest risk will be this afternoon/evening."

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

Thunderstorms set to rumble through the mid-Atlantic Thursday will not only trim the heat but could also bring severe weather, AccuWeather meteorologists said.

"Heavy, gusty and locally severe storms capable of producing hail and damaging wind gusts will tend to focus on the mid-Atlantic region from parts of North Carolina to much of Virginia, Maryland and Delaware to southeastern Pennsylvania and central and southern New Jersey," the weather site said.

Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., could all experience strong to severe storms Thursday, potentially disrupting the Thursday evening commute around those metros.

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

Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. High near 89. West wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 8pm and 2am. Low around 65. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Northwest wind 8 to 10 mph.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. Northwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 81. Northwest wind around 6 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62.