Two rounds of potentially severe weather are forecast for Northern Virginia this weekend, occurring ahead of a new heat dome forecast to build over the region, according to the latest forecasts.
On Friday, heavy showers and strong thunderstorms are possible, with a few producing damaging winds and torrential rain, according to the National Weather Service.
The greatest chance for showers and thunderstorms will be after 3 p.m. and could affect the evening commute, forecasters said.
"Because of the high amount of moisture in the air, the thunderstorms in the East will tend to be spotty but mighty with localized flash flooding, as well as microburst wind gusts," AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said.
On Saturday, a few storms could produce locally damaging wind gusts and isolated instances of flooding, mainly during the afternoon and evening hours. New rainfall amounts could be between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, though locally higher totals are possible.
While conditions will dry out on Sunday, temperatures will climb heading into the work week as a new heat dome builds across the region.
Last week, a heat dome developed over the Ohio Valley and expanded, AccuWeather forecasters wrote. This time, instead of developing over the Ohio and mid-Mississippi valleys, the heat dome will build northward over the West through the weekend, then surge into the north-central United States early next week. From there, it is expected to expand farther east.
How much of the heat reaches the Appalachians and the Atlantic Seaboard next week remains uncertain. During last week's heat wave, highs reached 100-105 degrees in major Northeast cities, including Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
This time, it appears Maryland will experience just a day or two of extreme heat and high humidity before a cold front moves in. According to AccuWeather, highs are more likely to range from the 90s to near 100 degrees rather than the low 100s.
"Regardless, conditions will still be dangerously hot," AccuWeather forecasters wrote.
Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 89. West wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 7pm. Increasing clouds, with a low around 69. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Saturday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 2pm and 3pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. North wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then a chance of showers between 11pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Light northeast wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 84. East wind 3 to 6 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 90.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 96.
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