Update: tornado watch issued until 2 p.m.

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Today’s weather highlights

  • A tornado alert is in effect until 2 pm and a flood alert is in effect until tonight
  • Multiple rounds of storms are possible: the first around noon; a second towards the end of the afternoon until the beginning of the night; and a third around or shortly after sunset. Storms may be more widespread in the first and third rounds.
  • Storms can be severe, with torrential rain, lightning, damaging winds, hail, and perhaps embedded tornado activity. The first round may be more intense, but severe storms in the second and third rounds cannot be ruled out. Repeated downpours can cause areas of flash flooding.
  • Storm updates will be added as severe weather develops immediately below. The forecast through the holiday weekend can be found by scrolling down.

6:40 a.m.: Tornado and flood watches issued for the area

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for much of the region through 2 pm Storms in southwestern Virginia have already shown some signs of rotation and prompted tornado warnings in that region. These storms, which may intensify, should reach the Washington area around 11 am (in our southwestern areas), around noon in the Beltway area, and 1 pm east of Interstate 95 and into the Bay.

The storms will be capable of producing torrential rain, lightning, damaging wind gusts, hail, and perhaps a few quick-impact tornadoes in places.

“A gradual increase in storm intensity and coverage should continue through the rest of the morning,” writes the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center. “Some tornadoes and scattered damage to locally severe gusts are possible.”

Remember that a tornado watch means that the ingredients are ready for the possible development of tornadoes; they are not a guarantee. However, if a tornado warning is issued for your location, it means a storm capable of producing a tornado is imminent or a tornado has been detected. In a warning situation, take shelter on the lowest level of a sturdy building, in an interior room away from windows.

In addition to the risk of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, multiple rounds of heavy downpours could cause flooding in some areas, prompting a flood watch. One to two inches of rain could fall in a short time and some areas could see more than three inches due to the combined rounds of storms.

“Excessive runoff can lead to flooding of rivers, creeks, creeks, and other low-lying, flood-prone locations,” the Weather Service writes.

Remember that if water is crossing a road, do not try to cross it, as it is difficult to judge the water level. Turn around, don’t drown.

After the midday swell, there will be scattered thunderstorms in the late afternoon, with a final round possible near or after sunset. These additional storms could also be severe.

We will add updates to this article as storms develop and approach the area and on our Twitter channel; the next update will probably be around 9 am

Detailed forecast as of 5 am

A somewhat subjective rating of the day’s weather, on a scale of 0 to 10.

3/10: Difficult to rate higher. The storms point to severe weather threats to the region: damaging winds, isolated flooding, large hail, and even a tornado or two. Less sun equals less powerful storms.

  • This day: Strong to severe storms possible. Highs: mid 70s to near 80s.
  • Tonight: Stronger storms; afternoon floods? Bass: Low mid-60s.
  • Morning: Clear morning, mainly sunny afternoon. Highs: mid 70s to around 80s.
  • Sunday: Mainly sunny. Highs: Lows in the mid 80s.

Remember that when you’re on top of the weather today, have more than one source for your severe weather warnings. Much of the East Coast has a chance of storms tonight, with multiple severe threats possible. After a little more unsettled weather tomorrow, our skies will clear up nicely by Sunday through Memorial Day when the heat returns.

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Today is Friday): Showers are possible almost at any time. Storms may begin to move in during the afternoon. Any sunny break in the clouds only heats and bubbles up more instability, fueling subsequent strong to severe storms. The more clouds the better, as far as I’m concerned it reduces the chances of severe storms. More sun increases the chances that we will see damaging winds, large hail, and even a couple of tornadoes. Muggy mid-70s to near 80s (sunnier locations) is our high temperature range. Winds from the south could reach around 20 mph even outside of storms. Confidence: Medium-High

Tonight: Torrential rain and storms can last beyond midnight. Heavy rains can cause localized flooding, especially if storms repeatedly move over the same area and dump 2 inches or more of rain, instead of the nearly 1 inch expected for most places. Low temperatures bottom out in the mid-60s. Confidence: Medium-High

Follow us Youtube, Facebook, Twitter Y Instagram for the latest updates. Read on for the forecast through next week…

Tomorrow Saturday): The sky is partly sunny, with clouds that tend to dissipate during the day. A scattered shower or storm is not ruled out during the afternoon. Slightly humid high temperatures aim for the mid-70s to around 80 degrees. Westerly breezes trying to stay below 10 mph. Near sunrise, look east to catch the conjunction of Mars and Jupiter. Confidence: Medium

Tomorrow night: The shower possibilities disappear during the night hours. Otherwise, the skies will slowly clear. Low temperatures aim for the upper 50s to the lower 60s. Confidence: Medium

Sunday: Skies can stay mostly sunny, so grab that sunscreen! High temperatures easily heat up in the strong May sun, climbing into the mid-80s with humidity under control. Confidence: Medium-High

Sunday night: Skies should remain mostly clear. Low temperatures enjoy fairly calm winds and clearer skies, chilling more easily when this happens, dipping into the mid-60s. Confidence: Medium

Seasonal warm temperatures near the 90s to mid 90s are back for Memorial Day through Tuesday. The humidity does its best to stay subdued, so we can thread the needle for beach weather without breaking a sweat too far from the water. The skies should also stay sunnier than not for those barbecues. We will keep you informed if anything changes. Confidence: Medium

NJ/Del./Md. Beaches: Thunderstorm likely Friday/Saturday (strong Friday night?), mostly sunny Sunday/Monday. High temperatures between 70 and 70 degrees / low temperatures between 50 and 60 degrees. Wave heights from 1 to 3 feet and the water temperature ranges from 60 to 70.

Virginia/NC Beaches: Scattered thunderstorms Fri/Saturday (strong Friday night?), mostly sunny Sun/Mon. High temperatures in the low 80s/low temperatures in the mid 60s and above. Wave heights of 1 to 3 feet and low water temperatures in the mid-70s.

Read more about the Capital Weather Gang Confidence Index.

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