Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued In NoVA, DC Overnight

WASHINGTON, DC — Severe weather is expected in Washington, D.C., and northern Virginia overnight and it could last into Mother's Day. The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for much of Maryland, saying thunderstorms are expected to develop into the evening across the area. These storms will have the potential to produce damaging winds, large hail and heavy rainfall, which could lead to isolated flash flooding, according to the NWS.

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for the Washington DC metropolitan area until 11 p.m. Saturday. Northern Virginia communities in the watch area include Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Chantilly, Herndon, McLean, and Reston.

A tornado watch is in effect for the Baltimore metropolitan area until 1 a.m. overnight. Damaging winds and large hail are possible this evening, and an isolated tornado is also possible.

Here are the alerted areas (tornado watch is in yellow):

Here is what is expected, according to The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang: "New storms may erupt closer to the immediate metro area as the evening wears on. In both the severe thunderstorm and tornado watch zones, storms capable of producing damaging winds and large hail are possible. ... This is a situation where storms are likely to be hit or miss…not everyone will see storms, but storms that form may be intense."

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Mother's Day could be similar. There are actually several chances for showers and thunderstorms from Sunday through Friday. Heavy rainfall totals may occur by the end of the week, with the threat of localized flooding increasing with time.

People preoccupied with graduation ceremonies, weddings, cookouts and other events should be prepared for weather conditions that can change from bright and sunny to dark and stormy in a matter of minutes, according to AccuWeather.

In addition to causing some outdoor plans to be canceled or moved indoors, the severe storms could trigger power outages and inflict property and tree damage on some communities, according to an AccuWeather release.

"Storms will exit southeastern Pennsylvania and move into southern New Jersey and the Delmarva this evening, bringing a continued threat for damaging winds and hail," AccuWeather Storm Warning Meteorologist Billy Clark said in the release.

As soon as thunder is heard, the risk of being struck by lightning is present. Move indoors and away from windows when thunderstorms threaten, according to AccuWeather. Drivers should be prepared to face blinding downpours, standing water on the roads and a heightened risk of hydroplaning.

To the displeasure of those hoping to spend Mother's Day outdoors, the passage of the severe storms will not mark the end of the wet weather this weekend. Additional showers and thunderstorms will cross the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic from Saturday night through Sunday and into early next week, according to AccuWeather.

Here is the forecast:

Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1am. Some storms could be severe, with large hail and damaging winds. Increasing clouds, with a low around 64. South wind 5 to 8 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Patchy fog before noon. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. Northeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. East wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Monday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Monday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Tuesday: Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Tuesday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 9pm, then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Wednesday: Showers likely, mainly after 9am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Wednesday Night: Showers likely, mainly before 9pm. Cloudy, with a low around 66. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Thursday: Showers likely, mainly after 9am. Cloudy, with a high near 78. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Thursday Night: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 64. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Friday: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 78. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

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