Weather
Tornado Watch For DC, NoVA As Fred's Remnants Head Into Area
The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch Wednesday for D.C. and Northern Virginia as Tropical Storm Fred's remnants head north.
VIRGINIA/DC — The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch Wednesday for Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia as the remnants of Tropical Storm Fred head northward into the Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic.
The tornado watch is in effect until 8 p.m. Wednesday. Tornado watches also are in effect for areas of western Virginia and Stafford and King George counties.
"Tropical cyclone remnants, like those of Fred, often produce tornadoes due to the change of wind speed and/or direction with height associated with their wind fields," the Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang reported Wednesday.
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A few tornadoes are possible, bringing damaging wind gusts of up to 70 mph, the NWS said.
"In addition to the roughly dozen or so tornado reports Tuesday, Fred will probably continue to produce a few funnel clouds and tornadoes Wednesday, especially from northern Virginia and western Maryland northward into Pennsylvania," the Capital Weather Gang said.
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As Tropical Depression Fred passes off to the west, there will be a threat for isolated tornadoes, damaging winds, as well as flash flooding. The risk for severe thunderstorms may come as early as the mid-morning. Otherwise, conditions should improve by late this evening. pic.twitter.com/wAnqAVAqdi
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) August 18, 2021
Fred spawned 13 tornadoes Tuesday in Georgia and the Carolinas.
A flash flood watch also is in effect for the region through Wednesday evening as the storm system moves northward.
“Multiple rounds of heavy showers and thunderstorms will affect the region through this evening,” the NWS said. “Tropical moisture will lead to potential precipitation rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour. Localized storm total rain amounts in excess of 3 inches are possible. The best chance for more widespread heavier rainfall will be during the day today.”
Tropical-like humidity and afternoon downpours are forecast for the region over the next few days. Here's the NWS forecast for Northern Virginia:
Thursday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.
Thursday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.
Friday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
Friday night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.
Saturday: Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.
RELATED: Flash Flood Watch Issued For DC, NoVa Through Wednesday
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