Rainy conditions, including a chance of thunderstorms, are in store for parts of Virginia this week ahead of a big warmup this weekend, according to the latest forecasts.
A storm system advancing across the Plains will move into the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states on Wednesday, forecasters said. The system is predicted to bring two rounds of showers and some gusty thunderstorms to Northern Virginia.
"While the pattern will favor rounds of rain and showers, rumbles of thunder and brief bursts of blustery conditions are likely in a few areas, especially across parts of the Ohio Valley, Appalachians and the mid-Atlantic," AccuWeather wrote in its latest forecast.
According to forecasters, the D.C. region could see showers and a chance of thunderstorms after 5 p.m.
"The first wave will come through between midafternoon and early evening," The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang wrote in its latest forecast. "The showers associated with this wave will be hit or miss and probably won’t amount to much."
On Wednesday night into Thursday, showers and thunderstorms are possible before 2 a.m., forecasters said.
"The second wave is expected between 8 p.m. and midnight. Showers, and perhaps some gusty thunderstorms with heavy downpours, will accompany this wave," the Capital Weather Gang wrote. "Even a severe thunderstorm with damaging wind gusts is possible, mainly in our western areas."
Once the storm system moves out of the state, a brief period of cooler conditions will settle over Northern Virginia on Thursday, with high temperatures expected to only reach the mid-60s.
By Friday, a high-pressure system moving into the state will bring temperatures closer to normal despite continued gusty northwest winds.
A significant warm-up is expected by Saturday, with highs in the mid-80s likely across most of the D.C. region. On Sunday, it could hit 90 degrees in the Baltimore region, and early temperature outlooks continue to show highs reaching the low to mid-90s by Monday and Tuesday.
As for rain chances, current forecasts call for abundant sunshine and dry conditions, making it an idyllic weekend for Virginians with outdoor plans.
Here's a look at the detailed forecast for Northern Virginia:
Wednesday Afternoon: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. Southwest wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms before 2am, then a slight chance of showers between 2am and 3am. Patchy fog between 11pm and 2am. Low around 53. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. Northwest wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. Northwest wind around 11 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 73. Northwest wind 11 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 93.
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