Heavy Storms, Tornadoes Possible Saturday In VA: See Latest Forecast

Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected across Northern Virginia and should help clear the state of lingering, hazardous wildfire smoke, according to the latest forecasts.

A cold front was forecast to bring significant wildfire smoke into Maryland late Thursday, with poor air quality expected to persist through Saturday as light winds prevent the smoke from dispersing.

On Friday, a Code Purple air quality alert remained in effect for the D.C. region as heavy, pungent wildfire smoke darkened skies over the state.

A Code Purple means that air pollution concentrations within the region are very unhealthy for the general population, according to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. Under a Code Purple, the risk of health effects increases for everyone.

As of Friday, the Air Quality Index in Washington, D.C. was 274. A normal AQI is between 0 and 50.

“Scientists have found that an air quality reading of about 20 on the AQI scale is roughly like smoking one cigarette a day,” Dr. Jonathan M. Tan, division chief of General Anesthesiology at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, told AccuWeather. “So when the AQI climbs into the 150+ range for a full day outside, that’s in the ballpark of 7 to 9 cigarettes.”

The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous outdoor activity or exercise, officials said. Current air quality forecasts and alerts are available here.

Storm Chances Return

On Saturday, rain and storm chances return to the state and could clear the region of some smoke, officials said.

According to the National Weather Service, multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected early Saturday morning through late Saturday evening.

Forecasters said that with the storms comes the potential for large hail, a couple of tornadoes, and damaging wind gusts, a few of which could approach 70 mph.

"Uncertainty remains in the exact timing and how widespread severe thunderstorms might be," NWS forecasters said. "In addition, very heavy rain could result in a few instances of flash flooding."

In a forecast released Friday, Capital Weather said the greatest chance for severe weather will be after 2 p.m. Saturday. Meanwhile, on Sunday, a couple of stray, brief showers or storms are possible, but much of the day should be dry.

Detailed Northern Virginia Forecast

Friday: Widespread smoke. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.

Friday Night: Widespread smoke. Increasing clouds, with a low around 72. Light and variable wind.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Areas of smoke before noon. High near 92. Heat index values as high as 102. South wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 2am, then a slight chance of showers. Low around 73. Southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. North wind around 9 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69.

Tuesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 30%.