(Updated at 3 p.m.) A widespread outbreak of severe weather is expected this evening, prompting a Tornado Watch for Arlington and much of the region.
Forecasters say the threats include “damaging and locally destructive hurricane-force winds, along with the potential for large hail and tornadoes, even strong tornadoes.”
Get ready for some wild weather over the next day and a half.
First up are some storms tonight (Sunday) that are likely to be packing torrential rainfall. The heavy rain could cause flash flooding, prompting a Flood Watch to be issued this afternoon, taking effect at 8 p.m.
(Update at 4:40 p.m.) All of Arlington is now under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning.
More such warnings are likely as a line of strong storms approach from the west. Forecasters say the storms are packing very high winds, likely to cause damage and power outages.
Thursday’s heat will help to fuel strong storms tonight, forecasters say.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch was just issued for Arlington, the District, and other surrounding areas. It’s in effect until 11 p.m.
(Updated at 12:50 p.m.) Arlington, D.C. and other parts of the region are now under both a Severe Thunderstorm Watch and a Flood Watch
The D.C. area is on the southern end of the Severe Thunderstorm Watch area, which runs up the East Coast and includes Philadelphia, New York City, and much of Connecticut. That watch is in effect until 8 p.m.
The possibility of a succession of storms tonight packing heavy rain has prompted a Flood Watch from the National Weather Service.
The watch is in effect until 4 a.m. for Arlington, the District and much of the Washington region. Forecasters say flash flooding may occur during prolonged downpours.
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.
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.
Updated at 9:40 a.m. — The earlier watch has been upgraded to a Red Flag Warning. From the National Weather Service:
…RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR VIRGINIA, SOUTHERN MARYLAND, AND EASTERN WEST VIRGINIA PANHANDLE…
