Update at 1:20 p.m. on 7/9/23 — Arlington County and surrounding areas are now under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch in addition to the Flood Watch. Damaging wind and hail are possible from the storms, forecasters say.
A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for parts of Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey and Virginia until 8 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/HgwSdM3LD0
Update at 1:35 p.m. — A water rescue is underway in the Pentagon City area after high water stranded multiple people in vehicles.
Update at 1 p.m. — A Flash Flood Warning has been issued for a large portion of Arlington. A near-stationary storm is inundating south and central parts of the county, causing flooding.
Arlington and the D.C. area are under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch Monday afternoon and evening.
The watch is in effect until 10 p.m.
It’s been another smoky day in Arlington, and the air quality is still considered “unhealthy” as the workday nears a close.
The Air Quality Index registered at 177 as of 4 p.m. Thursday, solidly in the “Code Red” level.
The bulk of today’s storms are moving out — and more Canadian wildfire smoke is about to move in.
The smoke that enveloped Chicago and much of the Midwest today is set to push east toward our region. That has prompted a Code Orange air quality alert for the D.C. area tomorrow (Wednesday).
Update at 3:10 p.m. — So far, only 86 Dominion customers are reported to be without power in Arlington, compared with nearly 2,800 in Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax.
Update at 2:45 p.m. — A particularly intense portion of the storm is over Rosslyn, according to the National Weather Service. Additionally, a tree has been reported down on power lines on the 600 block of N. Kenmore Street in Ashton Heights.
Arlington County and the rest of the D.C. region are now under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch.
The watch is in effect until 9 p.m.
Arlington is under one of the few Severe Thunderstorm Watches so far this year.
The watch was just expanded into Arlington and also covers D.C., Alexandria, Falls Church and Fairfax County.
The air quality in Arlington has reached the worst level on the scale — “hazardous.”
As of 9 a.m. the federal government website AirNow says Arlington’s AQI, or air quality index, is 313. That puts the county in “Code Maroon” territory, two levels above the more commonly known Code Red.
Update at 9:30 a.m. — The air quality has worsened and entered the “Code Maroon” — or “hazardous” — category.
Update at 8:50 a.m. — Air quality in Arlington has reached well into the Code Purple “Very Unhealthy” category, with an AQI of 276. All locals should avoid spending time outside if possible or wear an N95 or similar mask.
(Updated at noon) Air quality measurements have exceeded Code Red levels in the D.C. area, according to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.
It’s no surprise to anyone who can see and smell the smoke outside. The thick haze has been wafting into the region from the north, amid severe wildfires in Canada.
Updated at 9:45 a.m. — The Code Orange alert has been changed to a Code Red alert.
Wednesday is forecast to be a “Code Orange” day in Arlington and across the D.C. area.
