Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued For NoVA, DC, With Hail Possible

VIRGINIA/DC — All of Northern Virginia and D.C. are under a severe thunderstorm watch until 8 p.m. on Tuesday after a day when temperatures reached into the mid-80s. The watch means that there is the potential for severe thunderstorms.

The thunderstorms could be severe, with large hail and damaging winds, according to the National Weather Service. The hail could be ping-pong ball size and the winds could gust up to 70 mph. Areas also could experience frequent lightning, the NWS said.

Storms are already forming over the mountains of West Virginia and should increase over the Blue Ridge Mountains this afternoon before heading east. Models show storms could be most numerous in the immediate D.C. area between about 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Forecasters are predicting the possibility of another round of thunderstorms before noon on Wednesday.

Here is the D.C. area forecast for the days ahead from the National Weather Service:

Wednesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between noon and 3 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 66. Northwest wind 8 to 11 mph.

Friday: Showers likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 65. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.

Sunday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 70.