Update at 3:50 p.m. — A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for the far northern tip of Arlington.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning for DC, Montgomery, Prince Georges, Arlington, and Fairfax counties until 4:30PM. Main hazards are 60mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. #vawx #dcwx #mdwx pic.twitter.com/3TnBKyYKUY
— Washingtonian Weather Geeks (@WashingtonianWx) July 25, 2022
Earlier: Arlington, D.C. and most of the region is now under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch.
The watch, which was issued around 1:45 p.m., is in effect until 10 p.m.
Forecasters say storms packing damaging winds and heavy downpours are possible this afternoon and evening. More from NWS:
Thunderstorms will further develop and intensify initially near/just of the mountains, and subsequently spread eastward toward the I-95 corridor through late afternoon and early evening. Damaging winds are the primary hazard.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for areas along and east of I-81 through 10 PM tonight. Main impacts will be damaging winds. A localized flood threat exists as well with rainfall rates of 1-2"/hr possible in any stronger thunderstorms over a short period of time. pic.twitter.com/6QqD8L4ssZ
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) July 25, 2022
A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for parts of DE, DC, MD, NJ, PA, VA, WV until 10 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/EbdNHbuIcu
— NWS Severe Tstorm (@NWSSevereTstorm) July 25, 2022
Local authorities, meanwhile, are encouraging residents to prepare for the possibility of severe weather.
Some of the tips include charging essential devices and securing loose items from lawns and balconies.
https://twitter.com/ArlingtonVaFD/status/1551631655596544000
We may experience power outages during today's potential for severe weather. Remember to treat all uncontrolled intersections as a four way stop. https://t.co/rS2lRnXH4X pic.twitter.com/VwXXlZTabM
— ArlingtonCountyPD (@ArlingtonVaPD) July 25, 2022