- Quantico: 51 mph
- Capitol: 43 mph
- Reagan National Airport: 39 mph
Rainfall amounts are highly variable and may not be satisfactory to many given the drought conditions. The heaviest totals were in our southwestern suburbs, with a few spots ranging from 0.5 to 1.0 inches; otherwise the amounts were generally less than 0.2 inches.
After the rain, the temperatures did drop significantly, from the high 90s to the low 70s and low 80s.
This is our last update for the night. Scroll down to see tomorrow's weather forecast and enjoy the beautiful rainbow pictures below.
8:15 p.m. — Storm pushes east of Interstate 95, worst in Charles County
For the most part, tonight's storms won't be particularly severe, but will still bring some heavy downpours, lightning and gusty winds. Currently, they are extending from east of Columbia through the District to Charles County.
The strongest storm activity is in western Charles County and will move northeast toward La Plata and Waldorf over the next 45 minutes.
As the storms continue east of I-95, they should reach the Chesapeake Bay between 9 and 9:30 p.m.
The storm dropped temperatures by about 15 degrees and heat warnings were discontinued. Much of the area west of the area, which was in the upper 90s before the storm, is now in the upper 70s. Their wakes also create beautiful rainbows.
We will post final updates between 9pm and 9:30pm
7:30 p.m. — Storm moves into Beltway area; locally gusty winds and heavy rain possible
The storm, which contained heavy rain, lightning and some strong winds, stretched from near Germantown through much of central Fairfax County to Dale City in Prince William County. Radar shows some of the strongest gusts near McLean and Gaithersburg.
The entire line will move through the Beltway area over the next hour, bringing some necessary rain but also dangerous lightning and the potential for some damaging wind gusts in excess of 50 mph. Go in when you hear thunder. The storm is expected to reach areas east of the Beltway around 8 p.m. and the Chesapeake Bay around 9 p.m.
Perhaps the best part about storms is that they lower temperatures as they pass by.
We will post another update around 8:15 p.m.
6:45 p.m. — Storm approaching Beltway area; severe storm warning for Manassas, Centerville, Oakton, Fairfax and Burke
Radar showed a strong line of storms stretching from near Ashburn in Loudoun County south to Gainesville and Knoxville in Fauquier County. These storms are moving northeast at 45 mph and will move through the adjacent Washington area over the next one to two hours. It should move within the Beltway around 7:30 p.m. and reach our eastern suburbs around 8 p.m.
The most intense activity is heading to Manassas and Fairfax, where a severe thunderstorm warning is in effect until 7:30 p.m. with wind gusts of up to 60 mph in the area.
We will post another update around 7:30 p.m.
5:45 p.m. — Storm forming in Southwest Washington — could sweep through the region in the next few hours
A line of severe thunderstorms is developing from around Warrenton to east of Charlottesville and moving northeast. In fact, until 6:15 p.m., a severe thunderstorm warning was issued for central Fauquier County, including Warrenton, with the potential for damaging wind gusts.
These storms are coming ahead of schedule and are expected to affect our western and southwestern suburbs over the next hour or so before moving into nearby areas between 7pm and 8pm
If necessary, we will issue another update in about an hour or sooner.
Original article around 2 p.m.
The combination of heat and humidity pushed the Washington area's heat index above 105 for the third day in a row. Moist air could intensify some severe thunderstorms in the area Wednesday night.
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning until 10 p.m. While severe storms are not guaranteed to occur at any particular location, any storms that occur could produce damaging winds in addition to heavy rain and lightning. There is also a low chance of a tornado in the area. If a severe thunderstorm warning is issued for your location, seek shelter immediately.
The storm will bring much-needed rain to the hit areas and help lower temperatures and humidity on Thursday.
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By Tonight: As we entered the evening, an intermittent storm approached from the west. It should reach the Interstate 95 corridor around sunset. While it should pass quickly, brief rainstorms, lightning, and perhaps some wind damage or isolated tornadoes are all possible while it passes. It will be sunny after the storm, with low temperatures ranging from the upper 70s to mid 70s.
Check Current weather in the Washington Post.
Tomorrow (Thursday): A cold front with slightly lower humidity moves behind it, causing storms. Sunshine will be dominant, with highs and lows likely to reach 90 degrees.
Check out Dan Stillman's predictions for the entire weekend. If you haven't already join us on Facebook and follow us Twitter and Instagram.
The storm may produce a tornado or two: Weather systems affecting our area Wednesday afternoon and evening include the remnants of Hurricane Beryl passing to our north, which has already spawned tornadoes across New York State. Generally, we are cautious about the approach of rotating wind fields in these larger systems. This tends to increase wind shear (changes in wind speed and direction) in the lower atmosphere and helps organize small patches of enhanced rotation in thunderstorms. We believe the trend towards weak tornadoes is particularly evident along the Mason-Dixon Line and Pennsylvania, but we cannot rule out fast tornadoes closer to Washington
