On the first day of July, a hot, muggy morning made way for severe weather Tuesday afternoon and thunderstorms likely extending into the evening hours.
On the first day of July, a hot, muggy morning gave way to severe weather Tuesday afternoon and thunderstorms likely extending into the evening hours.
A large system of severe thunderstorms slammed into the heart of the D.C. region just before 3 p.m., triggering a severe thunderstorm warning until 4:15 p.m. for D.C. and its close-in suburbs. The National Weather Service also issued a flash flood warning until 6 p.m. for part of D.C., Montgomery County in Maryland, and Arlington and Fairfax counties and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax and Falls Church in Virginia.
Active weather warnings:
- Severe thunderstorm warning until 4:45 p.m. for northeastern Anne Arundel County
- Severe thunderstorm warning until 4:30 p.m. for eastern Howard County
- Severe thunderstorm warning until 4:15 p.m. for D.C., western Anne Arundel County, southeastern Howard County, southeastern Montgomery County, northwestern Calvert County, Prince George’s County, southeastern Arlington County, east central Fairfax County and the City of Alexandria
“July is coming in hot, humid and stormy with afternoon downpours that could lead to flash flooding,” 7News First Alert Meteorologist Eileen Whelan said. “Storms could contain damaging wind gusts and hail.”
Several reports of damage began coming into the weather service around 3:30 p.m., including reports of large tree limbs down across southern Arlington and a tree that fell onto a car on Old Frederick Road in Sykesville.
The weather service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch until 9 p.m. Tuesday in the D.C. region, and a flood watch lasts until 11 p.m.
Pockets of heavy rain are leading to standing water, so use caution on area roadways Tuesday afternoon and evening, she said. Temperatures hit near 90 with heat index values making it feel like 100.
The storms are being whipped up by a strong cold front, which will eventually bring a drop in humidity. Until then, the cold front means rain chances will continue Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.
But fear not: Fourth of July weather “looks great,” Whelan said. Expect low humidity with temperatures around 90. Then, look for dry weather the rest of the holiday weekend.
Forecast
TUESDAY: Partly sunny with scattered, strong to severe afternoon and evening storms, highs 85 to 91.
TUESDAY NIGHT: Wet weather chances continue overnight, scattered showers and storms with low temperatures 68 to 74.
WEDNESDAY: Morning showers lead to afternoon clearing, highs from mid- to upper-80s.
THURSDAY: Mostly sunny with highs near 90, lower humidity.
CURRENT CONDITIONS
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