Northern Virginia Weather: Severe Thunderstorm Warning UPDATE

STERLING, VA—Along with the wave of heat that has rolled into the Northern Virginia area comes a severe thunderstorm warning from the National Weather Service until 4:15 p.m. To wit: "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."

Also: "an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out as well."

Too, there's this word of caution from the Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang: "Afternoon highs reach the mid-80s to near 90 as clouds start to pop up, with a decent chance of some strong to severe storms after 3 p.m. or so. Any storms could be capable of damaging wind gusts and dangerous lightning."

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

Thursday Afternoon: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 2pm and 5pm, then scattered showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Some of the storms could be severe. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 2am, then a slight chance of showers. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 67. West wind 6 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 81. Northwest wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. North wind 5 to 8 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. South wind 3 to 8 mph.

Saturday Night: A slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Memorial Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.