Annandale, Va. – Hazy skies are already hanging over Northern Virginia, and the sticky summer air is only getting heavier. By this afternoon, intense heat will collide with an approaching cold front, creating conditions that could quickly turn quiet neighborhoods into storm-prone areas with dangerous lightning, damaging winds and torrential rain.
According to the National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington, a Heat Advisory remains in effect from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. EDT, with heat index values reaching around 105 degrees across Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C., and portions of central Maryland. At the same time, an Air Quality Alert continues through today as lingering wildfire smoke keeps conditions unhealthy for sensitive groups before gradual improvement later in the afternoon.
Thunderstorms are expected to become more widespread after 3 p.m. Some storms could become severe, producing wind gusts approaching 70 mph, large hail, frequent lightning and pockets of heavy rainfall. The Weather Service also notes that an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out, although the primary threats remain damaging winds and localized flooding.
Travelers along Interstate 95, Interstate 495, Interstate 66 and the Capital Beltway should prepare for rapidly changing conditions later today. Visibility may drop sharply in heavy rain, while ponding water and wind-blown debris could slow traffic during the evening commute. If thunder roars, move indoors immediately and postpone outdoor activities.
Sunday brings welcome relief with mostly sunny skies and a high near 87 degrees, but storm chances return Monday afternoon. Another active weather period develops Tuesday with showers and thunderstorms becoming likely once again. Meteorologists continue tracking additional disturbances that could produce more rounds of heavy rain and gusty storms through the middle of next week.
Long-range outlooks favor above-normal temperatures returning later next week, keeping the Mid-Atlantic in an active midsummer weather pattern.
Are you seeing smoky skies or strong storms in your neighborhood today? Share your conditions in the comments.
Five-Day Forecast for Annandale, Virginia
- Sunday: Mostly sunny. High 87°F, Low 68°F.
- Monday: Mostly sunny with a 40% chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms. High 86°F, Low 69°F.
- Tuesday: Slight chance of morning storms, then showers and thunderstorms likely. 70% chance. High 88°F, Low 71°F.
- Wednesday: Partly sunny with afternoon showers and thunderstorms possible. 40% chance. High 86°F, Low 65°F.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny. High 82°F, Low 65°F.
