Severe Storms Likely This Afternoon & Evening

High-Resolution North American Model, courtesy Pivotal Weather (time stamp upper right corner)

The combination of heat and oppressive humidity will aid in the development of scattered to numerous thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. A trough will be sliding through the area as well adding a focal point for lift in the atmosphere.

Storms today could contain frequent lightning, hail and damaging winds in excess of 60 mph. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch May be issued later this afternoon.

Flash flooding will also be a concern today given the very moist atmosphere with dew points in the lower 70s (oppressive humidity).

Deja Vu Wednesday with More Severe Thunderstorms Possible

Heat Advisory Wednesday | Excessive Heat Watch Thursday

The Heat Index on Wednesday will be running between 105 and 110 degrees. Stay hydrated and know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke if you must be outdoors during the afternoon.

Deja Vu with More Strong to Severe Thunderstorms Wednesday PM

Most of the high-resolution models show another line of scattered strong to severe storms moving through the Washington DC Metropolitan Area between 4 and 6pm.

Main Threats will be Damaging Winds in excess of 60 to 70mph and small hail. Dangerous heat returns Thursday and Friday with our area under an Excessive Heat Watch.  Excessive Heat Warnings are issued when heat indexes (real feel temperatures) are expected to surpass 110 degrees.

Timing Arrival of This Afternoon’s Potential Severe Thunderstorms

The latest high-resolution forecast models indicate that a disturbance over West Virginia will slide eastward into the DC Area this afternoon igniting a line of strong to severe thunderstorms.

Timing the Storms

The models indicate storms could begin anytime after 4pm, sliding through the immediate Metro Area between 5 and 8pm.

Storms will be capable of producing damaging winds in excess of 60 mph, hail and cloud to ground lightning.