Update at 1:50 p.m. — In addition to the Flash Flood Watch, a Severe Thunderstorm Watch was just issued for the area. Damaging winds, hail and torrential downpours are possible, forecasters say.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch in effect until 11 PM. Main risk is damaging winds. pic.twitter.com/gVYqxvoZed
Some strong storms are possible this afternoon and evening, forecasters say.
The scattered storms could pack damaging winds, potentially downing tree limbs and power lines. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is possible, the National Weather Service says. Arlington is near the western border of the likely watch area.
(Updated at 9:30 p.m.) The National Weather Service has confirmed that a tornado caused the widespread damage seen in several North Arlington neighborhoods today.
The tornado struck around 9 p.m. Thursday night, touching down near the intersection of Lee Highway and N. Glebe Road. It was rated as an EF1 — the second-lowest on the Enhanced Fujita scale — and cut a 125 yard-wide path of damage as it made its way east through several neighborhoods, before moving into D.C. Maximum winds were estimated at 90 mph.
Update at 4:15 p.m. — The earlier severe thunderstorm watch and warning have both been cancelled.
Update at 3:40 p.m. — Just over 1,400 Dominion customers in Arlington are without power, according to preliminary numbers from the power company’s website.
Northern portions of Arlington County are now under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning.
A line of strong storms is approaching the area and may pack damaging wind gusts.
Update at 5:10 p.m. — A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has now been issued.
Update at 2:20 p.m. — A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has now been issued for Arlington and much of the region.
Update at 10:50 p.m. — The earlier Flash Flood Watch has been upgraded to a Flash Flood Warning. Flooding near streams and in low-lying areas is imminent. The warning is in effect until 1:45 a.m.
From the National Weather Service:
A cold front is likely to bring slow-moving thunderstorms and downpours to the D.C. area later today.
The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch, which takes effect at noon, cautioning of the possibility of 2-4 inches of rain falling in a short period of time. Such rainfall could cause flash flooding, as happened nearly two years ago.
A portion of Arlington County is now under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning as a line of potent storms bears down on the area.
The warning encompasses a southern portion of the county.
Arlington County and the D.C. area is under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch tonight.
The watch is in effect until 9 p.m. Forecasters say strong storms packing quarter-sized hail and strong winds are possible.
Update at 8:25 p.m. — Now the remainder of Arlington is under another Severe Thunderstorm Warning.
Pretty much the entire immediate DC area under severe storm warning now through around 9p. Storms likely to unleash 50–70 mph winds in some areas along with frequent lightning and very heavy rain. https://t.co/9keVWTga9c
Arlington County and much of the region is now under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch.
The watch is in effect until 10 p.m. tonight. Forecasters say strong storms with damaging winds are possible this afternoon and tonight.
