Northern Virginia Weather: Severe Thunderstorm Warning UPDATE

UPDATE: The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the Northern Virginia area until 4:30 p.m. To wit: "IMPACT...DAMAGING WINDS WILL CAUSE SOME TREES AND LARGE BRANCHES TO FALL. THIS COULD INJURE THOSE OUTDOORS, AS WELL AS DAMAGE HOMES AND VEHICLES. ROADWAYS MAY BECOME BLOCKED BY DOWNED TREES. LOCALIZED POWER OUTAGES ARE POSSIBLE. UNSECURED LIGHT OBJECTS MAY BECOME PROJECTILES."

STERLING, VA—Sure, the average highs around here for early May reside in the low 70s. But on days such as today, when the temperatures shoot up toward 90, late-afternoon thunder boomers invariably become something with which to deal—some of them severe. So it goes for today, as the National Weather Service has issued a hazardous outlook for the Northern Virginia area.

In this case (just in time for rush hour), "an isolated severe thunderstorm with damaging wind gusts and large hail is possible." However, as pointed out by the Washington Post's Capital Gang: "Most storms stay below severe limits, but a few could have heavy downpours and gusty winds."

So there you go. Here's the detailed forecast from the National Weather Service's area bureau in Sterling:

Friday Afternoon: A slight chance of showers before 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2pm and 5pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Southwest wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am, then a slight chance of showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. South wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Southwest wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Saturday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a low around 62. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Sunday: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 80.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.