Washington, D.C
Washington DC weather: Severe weather, tornado risk Monday in DC region
WASHINGTON – Less than a week removed from Washington, D.C.’s largest 24-hour temperature drop on record, more severe weather is expected in the DMV Monday, with threats of severe thunderstorms and even tornadoes.
Thunderstorm, tornado risk Monday
The Storm Prediction Center placed the DC region in an Enhanced Risk for severe thunderstorms on Monday, March 16. A rare extended outlook for our region.
What we know:
The FOX 5 Weather Team is monitoring the potential for strong to severe thunderstorms across the DC region on Monday, March 16, as a powerful storm system moves east toward the Mid-Atlantic.
On Friday, the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center placed much of the Mid-Atlantic region into a rare “enhanced risk” zone for severe weather on Monday: a three out of five on their risk scale. On Saturday, the NWS said it hasn’t ruled out the possibility of bumping the risk level up to a 4 out of 5 as we approach Monday, particularly from South Carolina to Maryland.
Those areas are where, the NWS says, there is the highest potential Monday for “strong tornadoes and significant damaging winds… specifically in the late morning to afternoon.”
Monday rain timeline: morning rain, afternoon storms
The “FoxModel” showing the threat for supercell thunderstorms in the DC region on Monday afternoon, March 16.
Timeline:
Current projections suggest rain starting Monday morning, with greater concern for stronger storms later in the day, especially Monday afternoon into Monday evening as a strong cold front approaches the region.
That timing could bring storms through the area during the evening commute, potentially slowing travel.
Damaging winds the biggest threat
Why you should care:
If the storms can strengthen, the main severe weather threat will be damaging wind gusts that could potentially exceed 60 mph.
There is concern that wind damage from Monday’s storms could be more widespread than what the region saw this past Wednesday. That’s because of an elevated risk of a squall line, a line of gusty thunderstorms which would have the potential for more widespread damage than more isolated storm cells.
Other possible impacts include:
- Isolated tornadoes
- Frequent lightning
- Heavy downpours that could briefly reduce visibility
Even before the storm gets here, gusty winds could pick up Monday as the system approaches, increasing the risk of falling tree limbs and power outages.
Why are forecasters watching this system?
Dig deeper:
The setup of this system includes several ingredients that can support stronger storms in the Mid-Atlantic:
- Warm, moist air surging north ahead of the cold front
- Strong winds in the upper atmosphere
- A dynamic storm system moving across the eastern U.S.
When these things overlap, thunderstorms can organize into lines capable of producing damaging wind gusts.
Forecast uncertainty
What we don’t know:
While this system has the potential to bring damaging storms across the region, there are still some potential factors that could limit their severity in the DC metro area.
Early clouds and rain could reduce instability, making it harder for storms to intensify. The strongest severe weather could also stay south of the region, closer to the Carolinas and central Virginia.
After the storms
A strong trough associated with a late-season polar vortex in Canada will bring colder weather back to the D.C. region for the middle of next week.
What’s next:
Behind the cold front, much cooler and breezy conditions are expected to move into the region on Monday night into Tuesday, bringing a noticeable drop in temperatures after the storm system passes.
St. Patrick’s Day on Tuesday will feel much more like winter than spring, with many suburbs likely struggling to make it out of the 30s most of the day. Winds will likely remain quite blustery as well.
The Source: Information in this story is from the FOX 5 Weather Team and the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center.
Transportation Secretary attributed the smell that prompted the shutdown to an overheated circuit board that has since been replaced.
Small aircraft skids off runway, lands upside down
San Bernardino County fire responded to an aircraft incident at Cable airport, a small plane was found upside down, resting on the airport fencing.
Three Washington, D.C.-area airports have reopened after a shutdown prompted by an overheated circuit board that created a troublesome “strong odor,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced late on March 13.
“The ground stop is over and operations have resumed,” Duffy said in a statement about four hours after announcing the shutdown. “Firefighters from Fauquier County and Prince William County confirm there is no danger to air traffic controllers, and they are returning to the Potomac TRACON. The source of the strong odor was traced to a circuit board that overheated, and it was replaced.”
TRACON stands for Terminal Radar Approach Control, a U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) facility where controllers manage aircraft within a 30 to 50-mile radius of an airport. The Potomac TRACON facility is in Northern Virginia.
The brief ground stop impacted the three major airports surrounding the nation’s capital: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport and Baltimore-Washington International Airport. Richmond International Airport was also shut down.
Duffy announced the closures around 5:20 p.m. local time in a statement suggesting the strange smell put a halt to flights.
The Federal Aviation Administration “is working to address the source of a strong odor coming from Potomac TRACON that is impacting operations at the three airports,” said Duffy, without addressing why the Richmond airport was also included.
Airports involved in ground stops warned travelers to “expect residual delays” as a result.
“Airlines are once again resuming regular operations and preparing departures. Expect residual delays this evening,” Baltimore-Washington airport officials said in a statement. “We appreciate the patience of passengers impacted by the delays.”
Officials at Reagan told flyers to expect “significant delays” for the rest of Friday evening.
The series of shutdowns around Washington come as there are increased fears of potential terrorist attacks amid the war on Iran and amid a partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.
On March 12, a man who lost family in Lebanon to bombings amid the war attempted to carry out a massive attack on a synagogue in Michigan. Temple security fatally shot the man after he rammed his car into the building.
Flights resumed after being halted at four Washington, D.C., area airports Friday evening over a chemical odor at a radar facility that was affecting air traffic controllers, officials said.
Ground stops were issued at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport; Washington Dulles International Airport; Baltimore-Washington International Airport; and Richmond International Airport shortly after 6:30 p.m., according to transportation authorities.
The ground stops were lifted by around 8 p.m., the Federal Aviation Administration’s website said, but airports warned there could be residual delays Friday night.
The “strong chemical smell” was reported at the Potomac TRACON, which stands for Terminal Radar Approach Control, and was “impacting some air traffic controllers,” the FAA said.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on X that the FAA was was working to address the source of the odor.
“Airlines are once again resuming regular operations and preparing departures. Expect residual delays this evening,” Baltimore-Washington International Airport announced on X at 8 p.m.
The Potomac TRACON building that experienced the trouble is in Northern Virginia, it said.
4 things to know about the weather:
- More Strong Winds Friday
- Saturday Looks Good
- Rainy Sunday Night, Monday
- Temperature Plunge Tuesday
How wild was Thursday’s weather? Most of the area had a 45° drop from mid-70s highs before dawn to 30° lows after sunset.
In addition to that, it snowed from mid-morning into mid-afternoon with up to 1 inch in spots before the sun came back out and melted it all away. When melted down, it was about a half-inch of much-needed rainfall.
Dry and windy for much of the weekend
Dry weather returns Friday and lasts until Sunday evening, but our break from the gusty winds only lasts from Saturday afternoon into Sunday noontime.
Strong southwest winds Friday could gust over 40 mph at times. We’ll be in and out of the cloud cover with highs near average. The wind will turn to the northwest overnight and still be near 15-20 mph Saturday morning.
Saturday comes with more sunshine and less wind in the afternoon, with highs in the low to mid-50s.
Ahead of a strong storm that will have a high impact on our area on Monday, winds will increase from the southeast on Sunday afternoon. Most areas will be near 60° on Sunday, but with very little sunshine and rain chances arriving after sunset.
Storm expected on Monday
Monday looks quite stormy — springtime stormy! Highs will be near 70° and thunderstorms could strike in the afternoon. Up to an inch or more of rain is possible before another powerhouse cold front arrives Monday night.
Temperatures will fall nearly 40° once again: from 70° Monday afternoon to near or below freezing on Tuesday morning. There will be a chance for that rain to end as wet snow and, coming at night, there might be a chance to whiten the grass.
Highs next Tuesday & Wednesday will only be in the 35-40° range. Temperatures will return to average after that.
Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to check the weather radar on the go.
QuickCast
TODAY:
Sunny & Cloudy Periods
Windy, Gusts Over 40 mph
Near Average Temperatures
Wind: Southwest 20-30 mph
Chance of Rain: 0%
HIGHS: 48° to 56°
TONIGHT:
Clearing Skies
Breeze Stays Up All Night
Chilly
Wind: Southwest 12-24 mph
Chance Of Rain: 0%
LOWS: 36° to 44°
SATURDAY:
Sunny Morning
More Clouds After Noon
Breezy At Times
Wind: Northwest/ 10-20 mph
Chance of Rain: 0%
HIGHS: 48° to 56°
SUNDAY:
Mostly Cloudy, A Bit Milder
Breezy By The Afternoon
Few Showers After Sunset
Wind: Southeast 15-25 mph
Chance of Rain: 20%
HIGHS: 52° to 60°
MONDAY:
Rainy, Windy And Mild
Scattered Thunderstorms
Rainfall Up To 1”
Wind: South 20-35 mph
Chance of Rain: 80%
HIGHS: 65° to 70°
Sunrise: 7:22 Sunset: 7:13
Average High: 55° Average Low: 38°
Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.
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