Tornado Risk For NoVA, DC; Hazardous Weather Outlook Issued

WASHINGTON, DC — A cold front will blow into northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, bringing rain, strong winds and a slight risk of a tornado, according to the forecast.

Showers, thunderstorms and a tornado are possible, according to the National Weather Service.
The cold front is expected to move into the region late Wednesday afternoon and early Wednesday evening.

"A few damaging wind gusts are possible, and an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out," the National Weather Service said in a hazardous weather outlook for parts of Virginia and the District of Columbia.

The potentially severe weather is expected to arrive from 9 to 11 p.m. for the D.C. metro.

"Be weather aware, especially if you are headed out," the National Weather Service said.

These areas are included in the hazardous weather outlook: District of Columbia, Prince William, Manassas, Manassas Park, Fairfax, Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria, Fauquier, and Loudoun.

Marine warnings may be issued Wednesday evening, weather officials said. A gale warning has been issued for the Chesapeake Bay and tidal Potomac Thursday.

Here is the latest forecast for the Washington, D.C., area from the National Weather Service:

Wednesday: Scattered showers, mainly after 4pm. Areas of fog before 11am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 53. East wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms before 1am, then a slight chance of showers between 1am and 4am. Areas of fog before 10pm. Low around 37. East wind 7 to 16 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 44. Breezy, with a west wind 14 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29. West wind 9 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 46. West wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 27.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 41.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 25.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 46.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 28.