Weather

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NWS: Expect Snow Showers, Gusty Winds During Evening Commute

By ARLnow.com

Snow squall on 2/14/15The National Weather Service is warning of a potentially messy commute tonight.

D.C. area commuters could face snow showers and strong winds during the evening rush hour, forecasters say.

NWS issued the following Special Weather Statement just after 1:50 p.m.

…SNOW SHOWERS AND STRONG WINDS EXPECTED TO IMPACT RUSH HOUR THIS EVENING…

A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL CROSS THE REGION THIS EVENING DURING RUSH HOUR. THE FRONT WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY SCATTERED SNOW SHOWERS AND STRONG GUSTY WINDS. THE SNOW SHOWERS WILL START TO MOVE INTO THE METRO AREA BY 4 PM AND SHOULD CLEAR THE REGION BY 8 PM.

THE SNOW SHOWERS MAY BE LOCALLY HEAVY AND COULD DROP A QUICK COATING OF SNOW IN SOME AREAS. WHILE ROAD TEMPERATURES ARE WARM AT PRESENT…GUSTY WINDS AND COLDER AIR MOVING INTO THE AREA MAY RESULT IN PATCHES OF ICE ON UNTREATED ROADWAYS THIS EVENING. THE GUSTY WINDS MAY ALSO REACH 50 MPH WHICH COULD CAUSE SPOTTY MINOR DAMAGE.

EVENING COMMUTERS SHOULD USE EXTRA CAUTION AND TAKE THEIR TIME. VISIBILITY COULD DROP RAPIDLY FOR A BRIEF PERIOD DURING HEAVIER SNOW SHOWERS…AND ROADS WHICH APPEAR WET LATER THIS EVENING COULD IN FACT BE ICY.

Flash Flood Watch Issued for Christmas Eve

By ARLnow.com

Flooding and rain on 10/15/14Arlington and the rest of the D.C. area is under a Flash Flood Watch today, Christmas Eve.

Forecasters say that following the rain yesterday, a period of heavy rain later today could cause flash flooding.

From the National Weather Service:

… FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM EST THIS MORNING THROUGH THIS EVENING…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF MARYLAND… THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND NORTHERN VIRGINIA… INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING AREAS… IN MARYLAND… ANNE ARUNDEL… CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST HOWARD… CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST MONTGOMERY… PRINCE GEORGES AND SOUTHERN BALTIMORE. THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… ARLINGTON/FALLS CHURCH/ALEXANDRIA… FAIRFAX AND PRINCE WILLIAM/MANASSAS/MANASSAS PARK.

* FROM 9 AM EST THIS MORNING THROUGH THIS EVENING

* ONE TO TWO INCHES OF RAIN FELL YESTERDAY ACROSS THE BALTIMORE- WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA. THE AIRMASS IS UNUSUALLY MOIST FOR LATE DECEMBER… WITH ANOTHER QUICK INCH OF RAIN POSSIBLE TODAY. GIVEN SATURATED SOIL AND LITTLE VEGETATION… THIS RAINFALL WOULD LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING OF URBAN AREAS AS WELL AS SMALL STREAMS AND CREEKS.

* THERE IS POTENTIAL FOR RAPID RISES OF WATER ON SMALL STREAMS… AND FLOODING OF LOW-LYING AREAS OR ROADWAYS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.

Arlington Under Dense Fog Advisory

By ARLnow.com

Foggy in Fairlington on 12/2/15

Arlington and much of the D.C. region is under a Dense Fog Advisory until 2 p.m. this afternoon.

The National Weather Service says low visibility could cause hazardous driving conditions.

From the NWS:

… DENSE FOG ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON…

* VISIBILITIES… ONE QUARTER MILE OR LESS AT TIMES.
* IMPACTS… AREAS OF DENSE FOG WILL CAUSE SUDDEN AND GREAT REDUCTIONS IN VISIBILITY… RESULTING IN HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A DENSE FOG ADVISORY MEANS VISIBILITIES WILL FREQUENTLY BE REDUCED TO LESS THAN ONE QUARTER MILE. IF DRIVING… SLOW DOWN… USE YOUR LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS… AND LEAVE PLENTY OF DISTANCE AHEAD OF YOU.

Leaves + Rain Tomorrow Could = Flooding and Ponding

By ARLnow.com

Flooding and rain on 10/15/14Arlington’s Dept. of Environmental Services is asking residents to clear leaves from gutters and storm drains today, before expected storms tomorrow.

The remnants of Hurricane Patricia are en route to the D.C. area. We should expect a stormy Wednesday, with 1-1.5 inches of rain and perhaps even some severe storms, says the Capital Weather Gang.

The fact that the rain is coming as leaves are falling off trees could lead to flooding and ponding issues around homes. DES tweeted the following advice this morning:

Frost Advisory Issued for Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Frost-covered leaf (Flickr pool photo by ksrjghkegkdhgkk)Arlington and much of the D.C. area is under a frost advisory through Sunday morning.

It’s the first frost of the season, and it could damage certain outdoor plants if precautions aren’t taken.

From the National Weather Service:

… FROST ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 9 AM EDT SUNDAY…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON HAS ISSUED A FROST ADVISORY… WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 9 AM EDT SUNDAY.

* TEMPERATURES… IN THE MID 30S.
* IMPACTS… AREAS OF FROST… PARTICULARLY AWAY FROM THE URBAN CENTERS AND WATERS… COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO SENSITIVE PLANTS TONIGHT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A FROST ADVISORY MEANS THAT A LIGHT FROST IS EXPECTED. SENSITIVE OUTDOOR PLANTS MAY BE DAMAGED IF LEFT UNCOVERED.

Flickr pool photo by ksrjghkegkdhgkk

Flash Flood Watch Issued for Arlington, Region

By ARLnow.com

Columbia Pike is flooded by a downpour / heavy rain (file photo)Get ready for a wet weekend. A coastal nor’easter is expected to bring torrential rainfall throughout most of Friday and Saturday.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for Arlington and the rest of the D.C. region, starting Friday morning. More watches and warnings are expected to be issued as Hurricane Joaquin nears, on the back of the nor’easter.

From the NWS:

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WATCH
* FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING.
* RAIN WILL INCREASE IN INTENSITY ACROSS THE AREA FRIDAY INTO SATURDAY. WIDESPREAD RAIN TOTALS OF TWO TO FOUR INCHES ARE EXPECTED… WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS. HEAVY RAIN COULD FALL OVER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME ON SATURATED SOILS… WHICH COULD LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING.
* THERE IS POTENTIAL FOR RAPID RISES OF WATER ON NUMEROUS SMALL STREAMS… AS WELL AS IN POOR DRAINAGE AREAS. LARGER RIVERS WILL ALSO EXPERIENCE RISES. MUDSLIDES MAY OCCUR IN STEEP TERRAIN.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.

Va. Governor Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Impending Rain Storm, Hurricane

By Heather Mongilio

Possible path for Hurricane Joaquin (via National Weather Service)Gov. Terry McAuliffe has declared a state of emergency for Virginia in response to an impending nor’easter and Hurricane Joaquin, which is making its way toward the East Coast.

McAuliffe declared the state of emergency to allow Virginia businesses, residents and officials to prepare for the impending storms.

“I cannot stress enough the imperative for Virginians to focus on the rainstorms that are headed our way tomorrow and Friday, well before Hurricane Joaquin could potentially impact Virginia,” McAuliffe said in a statement. “The forecast of up to 10 inches of rain in areas across Virginia could result in floods, power outages and a serious threat to life and property. As we continue to track the path of Hurricane Joaquin, I have instructed the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security to make every preparation for a major event Thursday and Friday.”

The nor’easter is expect to hit the area Thursday and Friday bringing a prolonged period of torrential rain and the potential for dangerous flooding, McAuliffe said in a statement. The rain may continue as Hurricane Joaquin approaches.

Joaquin is currently expected to make landfall at some point on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.

The hurricane’s possible trajectory has it hitting North Carolina around 2 p.m. on Sunday and moving through Virginia, D.C. and Maryland Sunday and Monday. Another path, however, predicts Joaquin will bypass the East Coast completely.

Joaquin is currently a Category 1 hurricane with winds up to 85 miles per hour and is floating around the Bahamas and other Caribbean islands, according to NWS.

Virginia officials issued the following tips for staying safe when flooding is expected (after the jump).

(more…)

Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued

By ARLnow.com

Storm clouds over Rosslyn

Arlington County is under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning through 2:45 p.m.

From the National Weather Service:

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR… THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA… CENTRAL PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND… SOUTHEASTERN MONTGOMERY COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND… EASTERN FAIRFAX COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… THE NORTHERN CITY OF ALEXANDRIA IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… ARLINGTON COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA…
* UNTIL 245 PM EDT
* AT 157 PM EDT… DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED OVER ADAMS MORGAN… OR OVER HOWARD UNIVERSITY… AND MOVING EAST AT 25 MPH.
* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE… ARLINGTON… BOWIE… COLLEGE PARK… GREENBELT… BLADENSBURG… UPPER MARLBORO… GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY… NATIONALS PARK… CORAL HILLS… LARGO… FEDEX FIELD… LANGLEY PARK… FORESTVILLE… CRYSTAL CITY… RFK STADIUM… HOWARD UNIVERSITY… ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE… FORT TOTTEN… BYRD STADIUM AND ROSSLYN.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCE DAMAGING WINDS… LARGE HAIL… DEADLY LIGHTNING AND VERY HEAVY RAIN. FOR YOUR PROTECTION… MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS. HEAVY RAINS FLOOD ROADS QUICKLY SO DO NOT DRIVE INTO AREAS WHERE WATER COVERS THE ROAD.

UPDATED: Severe Thunderstorm Warning, Flash Flood Warning Issued

By ARLnow.com

Heavy rain on 7/27/15(Updated at 4:15 p.m.) Arlington County is under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning until 4:30 p.m. and a Flash Flood Warning until 6:45 p.m.

Parts of Arlington were inundated by heavy rain and frequent lightning and thunder this afternoon. There were scattered reports of power outages along Columbia Pike and people trapped in stuck elevators in Virginia Square and other parts of the county.

A wind gust of 58 miles per hour was reported in the Cherrydale neighborhood of Arlington during the storm, according to the National Weather Service. Flooding was reported in the westbound lanes of Washington Blvd, prompting police to close a ramp from Route 50.

From the National Weather Service:

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR… THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA… WEST CENTRAL PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND… EAST CENTRAL FAIRFAX COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… ARLINGTON COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA…

* UNTIL 430 PM EDT

* AT 339 PM EDT…DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED OVER CRYSTAL CITY…AND MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 5 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE… ARLINGTON…NATIONALS PARK…CRYSTAL CITY…HUNTINGTON…ROSSLYN… GROVETON…BALLSTON…US CAPITOL…ANACOSTIA…GEORGETOWN…HYBLA VALLEY…MARLOW HEIGHTS…FOREST HEIGHTS…ROCK CREEK…THE MALL… BOLLING AIR FORCE…BARCROFT…JEFFERSON MANOR…CHERRYDALE AND WESTOVER.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCE DAMAGING WINDS…LARGE HAIL…DEADLY LIGHTNING AND VERY HEAVY RAIN. FOR YOUR PROTECTION…MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS. HEAVY RAINS FLOOD ROADS QUICKLY SO DO NOT DRIVE INTO AREAS WHERE WATER COVERS THE ROAD.

Also from NWS:

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR… THE CENTRAL DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA… EAST CENTRAL FAIRFAX COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… ARLINGTON COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA…

* UNTIL 645 PM EDT

* AT 344 PM EDT…DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A THUNDERSTORM PRODUCING HEAVY RAIN ACROSS THE AREA. UP TO ONE INCH OF RAIN HAS ALREADY FALLEN. FLASH FLOODING IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN SHORTLY.

THIS INCLUDES FLOOD PRONE ROADS LOCATIONS MILITARY ROAD AT 36TH ROAD…18TH STREET AT UPTON STREET…17TH STREET NORTH AT NORTH BUCHANAN ST… SOUTH TROY STREET NEAR LONG BRANCH… BRADDOCK ROAD AT WEST STREET… AND RHODE ISLAND AVENUE NORTHEAST BETWEEN 2ND AND CAPI.

Heat Advisory Issued

By ARLnow.com

Capitol Sunrise by pderbyArlington and the rest of the D.C. area is under a heat advisory today.

High temperatures and high humidity will make for a sweltering, potentially dangerous afternoon.

Those who must spend time outdoors today are advised to drink plenty of fluids, seek breaks in the shade and avoid strenuous activity if possible.

From the National Weather Service:

… HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON HAS ISSUED A HEAT ADVISORY… WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING.

* HEAT INDEX VALUES… UP TO 109 DUE TO TEMPERATURES IN THE MID TO UPPER 90S AND DEWPOINTS IN THE LOW TO MID 70S.
* IMPACTS… RISK OF HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS FOR THOSE WITHOUT AIR- CONDITIONING OR THOSE OUTDOORS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A HEAT ADVISORY MEANS THAT A PERIOD OF HIGH TEMPERATURES IS EXPECTED. THE COMBINATION OF HIGH TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITY WILL CREATE A SITUATION IN WHICH HEAT ILLNESSES ARE POSSIBLE.

TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS IF YOU WORK OR SPEND TIME OUTSIDE. WHEN POSSIBLE… RESCHEDULE STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES TO EARLY MORNING OR EVENING. KNOW THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT STROKE. WEAR LIGHT WEIGHT AND LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING WHEN POSSIBLE AND DRINK PLENTY OF WATER.

TO REDUCE RISK DURING OUTDOOR WORK… THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDS SCHEDULING FREQUENT REST BREAKS IN SHADED OR AIR CONDITIONED ENVIRONMENTS. ANYONE OVERCOME BY HEAT SHOULD BE MOVED TO A COOL AND SHADED LOCATION. HEAT STROKE IS AN EMERGENCY – CALL 9 1 1.

Flickr pool photo by Pderby

Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued

By ARLnow.com

The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Arlington and the surrounding D.C. region.

Forecasters say thunderstorms with the potential for damaging wind and hail will spread across the area this afternoon and evening.

From the NWS:

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH NUMBER 377
NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
220 PM EDT TUE JUN 30 2015

THE NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, MARYLAND, NORTHERN NORTH CAROLINA, WESTERN AND NORTHERN VIRGINIA, EASTERN WEST VIRGINIA, COASTAL WATERS

* EFFECTIVE THIS TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING FROM 220 PM UNTIL 900 PM EDT.

* PRIMARY THREATS INCLUDE… SCATTERED DAMAGING WIND GUSTS TO 70 MPH POSSIBLE ISOLATED LARGE HAIL EVENTS TO 1.5 INCHES IN DIAMETER POSSIBLE

SUMMARY…THUNDERSTORMS WILL FORM SOON OVER EASTERN WV AND WESTERN VA…SPREADING EASTWARD ACROSS THE WATCH AREA. LOCALLY DAMAGING WINDS AND HAIL ARE POSSIBLE IN THE STRONGEST CELLS.

THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH AREA IS APPROXIMATELY ALONG AND 60 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF A LINE FROM HAGERSTOWN MARYLAND TO 80 MILES SOUTH SOUTHWEST OF DUBLIN VIRGINIA.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

REMEMBER…A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA. PERSONS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THREATENING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS. SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAN AND OCCASIONALLY DO PRODUCE TORNADOES.

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