High Humidity, Severe Storms On Eve Of Fourth Of July In NoVA, DC

VIRGINIA/DC — Thunderstorms are in the forecast for both Monday and Tuesday in Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., but the storms are expected to be more isolated and less numerous on the Fourth of July, according to forecasts.

Monday will be hot and uncomfortably humid, with a good chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening in the D.C. area, the Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang said. Some of the storms could be severe, with damaging winds and hail.

In a hazardous weather outlook issued Monday for Northern Virginia and D.C., the National Weather Service said scattered severe storms in the area capable of producing damaging wind gusts and large hail are possible in the afternoon and evening. An isolated tornado cannot be ruled out, the NWS said.

As for outdoor plans for people who have Monday off, a mix of sun and clouds is expected in the morning, followed by highs in the low-90s in the afternoon. “It won’t be a washout of a day, but outdoor plans might need to be moved inside briefly,” WUSA9 said Monday morning.

Forecasters at WJLA recommended D.C. area residents watch the radar closely on Monday, as thunderstorms later in the day have the potential to contain damaging wind gusts in excess of 60 mph, small hail, or even an isolated tornado.

The Fourth of July will be slightly less humid, but still hot, with temperatures in the high 80s to low 90s. The heat index on both Monday and Tuesday is expected to be near 100 in the afternoon.

“A couple afternoon storms are possible, but they should be less numerous than Monday,” the Capital Weather Gang said about the Independence Day forecast.

WUSA9 forecasters said most of the day on the Fourth of July looks nice. “At night during fireworks shows, there will be partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the 80s, eventually falling to the 70s,” the forecasters said.

Forecasters at WJLA said an isolated pop-up shower or thunderstorm can’t entirely be ruled out on Tuesday due to the heat and humidity.

“However, most of you will enjoy dry weather for your outdoor barbecues, pool outings and fireworks displays at night,” the forecasters said.

Here is a look at the National Weather Service forecast for the next few days in Northern Virginia and D.C.:

Monday: Isolated showers before 2 p.m., then scattered showers and thunderstorms between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5 p.m. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. Partly sunny, with a high near 92.

Monday night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 11 p.m. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.

Independence Day: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.

Tuesday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.

Wednesday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.

Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.

Thursday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.