Update at 5:05 p.m. — A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for Arlington and the surrounding D.C. region through 10:00 tonight.
The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory for tonight and Thursday morning.
The wind warning comes as this afternoon’s nearly 70 degree temperatures give way to a cold front that will drop the mercury into the 20s. Forecasters say thunderstorms and wind gusts of up to 55 miles per hour — which may damage trees and power lines– are possible. From NWS:
… WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 11 AM EDT THURSDAY…
* TIMING… WEDNESDAY EVENING THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING.
* WINDS… NORTHWEST 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 55 MPH.
* IMPACTS… SCATTERED TREE AND POWER LINE DAMAGE. DIFFICULTY DRIVING HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A WIND ADVISORY MEANS THAT WIND GUSTS OF 45 TO 55 MPH ARE EXPECTED. SECURE OUTDOOR FURNITURE AND TAKE CARE DRIVING HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES.
The NWS has also issued a Fire Weather Watch:
…FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON FOR CENTRAL AND NORTHERN VIRGINIA EAST OF THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS…
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A FIRE WEATHER WATCH FOR THE POTENTIAL OF RAPID WILDFIRE GROWTH…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON.
* HUMIDITY…20 TO 25 PERCENT.
* WINDS…NORTHWEST 20 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH.
* FUEL MOISTURE…LESS THAN 10 PERCENT.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A FIRE WEATHER WATCH MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE FORECAST TO OCCUR. LISTEN FOR LATER FORECASTS AND POSSIBLE RED FLAG WARNINGS.