Weather

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Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued

By ARLnow.com

Storm clouds over Rosslyn 7/3/14

(Updated at 4:40 p.m.) Arlington County is under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning through 5:30 p.m.

Strong storms are approaching the area from the southwest. Reagan National Airport is under a ground stop as a result of the approaching line of storms.

From the National Weather Service:

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR… THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA… SOUTHEASTERN MONTGOMERY COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND… HOWARD COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND… SOUTHEASTERN ARLINGTON COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… NORTHERN PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND… NORTHWESTERN ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND…

* UNTIL 530 PM EDT

* AT 426 PM EDT… SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WERE DETECTED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM ROCKVILLE TO FORT TOTTEN TO 9 MILES SOUTHWEST OF CRYSTAL CITY… AND WERE MOVING NORTHEAST AT 25 MPH. THIS LINE OF STORMS IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HAIL UP TO THE SIZE OF QUARTERS AND DESTRUCTIVE WINDS IN EXCESS OF 70 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE… HOWARD UNIVERSITY… LANGLEY PARK… ASPEN HILL… ADELPHI… OLNEY… BYRD STADIUM… DOWNTOWN WASHINGTON… WHITE OAK… CRYSTAL CITY… HYATTSVILLE…

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

THIS IS A DANGEROUS LINE OF STORMS. IF YOU ARE IN ITS PATH… MOVE INDOORS TO A STURDY BUILDING AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. WHEN IT IS SAFE TO DO SO… REPORT SEVERE WEATHER TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OR TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

Flash Flood Watch Issued for Area

By ARLnow.com

Arlington and the D.C. area is under a flash flood watch tonight.

Forecasters say storms and periods of very heavy rain are expected this afternoon and tonight. The sudden downpours may result in flash flooding.

The rain may also bring some temporary relief from the heat. Today’s high predicted high temperature is 92 degrees.

From the National Weather Service:

* FROM 1 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE TONIGHT

* TROPICAL MOISTURE WILL REMAIN OVER THE AREA THROUGH MOST OF TONIGHT. SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE LIKELY… ESPECIALLY LATE THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE THIS EVENING. RAINFALL RATES IN HEAVIER SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MAY EXCEED 2 INCHES PER HOUR.

* IN TARGETED AREAS THAT RECEIVE TORRENTIAL RAIN FOR LONGER THAN 30 MINUTES… FLASH FLOODING MAY BEGIN QUICKLY AND IN A VERY LOCALIZED AREA. BE AWARE OF LOW AREAS THAT MAY FLOOD. NEVER CROSS ROADS THAT ARE FLOODED. TURN AROUND DONT DROWN.

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.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued

By ARLnow.com

Lightning flashes over the District (file photo)Arlington and the rest of the D.C. area is under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch this evening.

The storm watch is in effect through 8:00 p.m. Forecasters say today’s sweltering temperatures may fuel strong storms with large hail and winds as high as 70 mph.

The weather danger will continue tomorrow (Thursday). The National Weather Service says damaging wind and heavy rain is possible as the high heat lingers:

SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE LIKELY THURSDAY AND THURSDAY NIGHT. LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL IS EXPECTED AND THIS WILL POSE A THREAT FOR FLASH FLOODING. THUNDERSTORMS WILL ALSO BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING LOCALLY DAMAGING WIND GUSTS AND LARGE HAIL…ESPECIALLY DURING THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

Power Outage Impacting Arlington Neighborhoods

By ARLnow.com

7. "W&OD Trail Summer Power Lines" by Tyler Zarfoss(Updated at 7:05 p.m.) Nearly 700 Dominion customers are currently without power in Arlington.

The outages are centered around Rosslyn and parts of Columbia Pike, according to Dominion’s outage map. An “Arlington Alert” message suggested the Pike power outage is due to “equipment failure.”

The utility is hoping to have electricity restored no later than 11:00 p.m.

The current temperature at 7:00 p.m. was 92 degrees. Today (Tuesday) the high temperature at Reagan National Airport was 97 degrees, breaking the previous June 17 record high temperature of 95 degrees, set in 1991, according to the National Weather Service.

Photo by Tyler Zarfoss

Arlington Under Tornado Watch Tonight

By ARLnow.com

Arlington County and the D.C. region is under a tornado watch until 9:00 tonight.

Forecasters say that severe thunderstorms are likely between 4:00 and 8:00 p.m. Tornadoes are possible as part of the expected severe weather outbreak.

From the National Weather Service:

… SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS LIKELY THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING ALONG WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR ISOLATED TORNADOES…

WITH TEMPERATURES REACHING THE MID-TO-UPPER 80S WITHIN AND SOUTH OF THE WASHINGTON DC METROPOLITAN AREA… THE REGION IS UNDER THE THREAT OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. SOME OF THESE STORMS WILL LIKELY CONTAIN DAMAGING WIND… FREQUENT CLOUD- TO-GROUND LIGHTNING… AND LARGE HAIL. ADDITIONALLY… TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE IN A FEW OF THE STRONGEST THUNDERSTORMS. THE MOST LIKELY TIME FOR SEVERE WEATHER IS BETWEEN 400 PM AND 800 PM EDT.

THE AREA MOST VULNERABLE FOR SEVERE WEATHER IS NORTH OF INTERSTATE 64 ACROSS VIRGINIA’S NORTH-CENTRAL PIEDMONT AND WEST OF INTERSTATE 95 SOUTH OF THE CITY OF BALTIMORE MARYLAND TO FREDERICKSBURG VIRGINIA. THIS INCLUDES THE GREATER WASHINGTON DC AND BALTIMORE METROPOLITAN AREAS… HAGERSTOWN MARYLAND… THE NORTHERN AND CENTRAL SHENANDOAH VALLEY… AND CHARLOTTESVILLE VIRGINIA.

RESIDENTS AND VISITORS TO THIS REGION… ALONG WITH MARINERS ON THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AND TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER… SHOULD HAVE AN INCREASED AWARENESS OF THE THREAT OF HAZARDOUS WEATHER THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

IF A SEVERE WEATHER WARNING IS ISSUED… SEEK SHELTER INDOORS IMMEDIATELY… PREFERABLY IN A BASEMENT OR THE LOWEST LEVEL OF A STURDY BUILDING. IF YOU ARE IN A BOAT… SEEK SAFE HARBOR IMMEDIATELY.

Flash Flood Watch Issued

By ARLnow.com

Storm clouds over D.C., as seen from Pentagon City on 6/10/14

A Flash Flood Watch has been issued for Arlington County and much of the surrounding D.C. and Baltimore region.

The watch is in effect from 2:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Wednesday. Forecasters with the National Weather Service say that heavy rain predicted tonight may cause flash flooding.

The watch was issued as Prince George’s County, Md. begins to dry out following torrential rains and dangerous flash flooding this morning.

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… CARROLL… FREDERICK MD… HARFORD… HOWARD… MONTGOMERY… NORTHERN BALTIMORE… PRINCE GEORGES AND SOUTHERN BALTIMORE. THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… ARLINGTON/FALLS CHURCH/ALEXANDRIA… FAIRFAX… LOUDOUN AND PRINCE WILLIAM/MANASSAS/MANASSAS PARK.

* THROUGH LATE TONIGHT

* HEAVY RAIN HAS ALREADY FALLEN OVER PORTIONS OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA… CENTRAL MARYLAND… AND WASHINGTON DC TODAY. THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY THAT MORE HEAVY RAIN WILL FALL WITH THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON. ANY STORMS THAT FORM WILL HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE FLASH FLOODING.

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.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch in Effect

By ARLnow.com

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for Arlington and the surrounding D.C. region.

The watch is in effect from now until 9:00 p.m. The National Weather Service warns that scattered thunderstorms “could produce damaging wind gusts and large hail this afternoon and early evening.”

As of 2:40 p.m. the temperature was a summery 90 degrees at Reagan National Airport, while the low tonight is forecast to be 69 degrees. Thunderstorms are also in the forecast for Wednesday.

Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday is Next Week

By Ethan Rothstein

Hurricane Irene (8/26/11)In order to encourage Virginians to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season, starting on Monday the state is again offering a sales tax holiday on emergency supplies.

From May 25-31, certain emergency supplies that cost less than $60 — a list that includes batteries, flash lights, rope, duct tape, bottled water and cell phone chargers — are exempt from sales tax at all Virginia retailers. Portable generators that cost less than $1,000 are tax exempt, as are gas-powered chainsaws that cost less than $350.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced today that it anticipates three-to-five hurricanes to hit this season, and one or two “major” hurricanes. The National Weather Service is anticipating a “below normal” hurricane season, but that doesn’t mean NWS scientists aren’t urging caution.

“The prediction of a below normal hurricane season should not be taken to mean Virginia won’t be impacted this year,” said Bill Sammler, NWS warning coordination meteorologist, said in a press release from Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D). “Let’s all remember that it only takes one storm to cause severe damage and even loss of life.  Everyone should get ready now for this hurricane season.”

State officials are urging residents to purchase flood insurance, saying “an inch of water in a small home can lead to more than $10,000 in losses.” The governor’s office is recommending families have at least a three days’ supply of bottled water, plenty of nonperishable food, extra batteries and either a battery-powered or hand crank radio to listen to emergency broadcasts.

The complete press release from the governor’s office, after the jump. (more…)

Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued

By ARLnow.com

Lightning flashes over the District (file photo)

Arlington County and the surrounding D.C. area is under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch through 10:00 tonight.

Forecasters say severe thunderstorms may form later this afternoon and early this evening. From Arlington County:

Those with outdoor plans this evening should monitor the skies and be prepared for threatening weather. Lightning is the number one severe weather killer in the US. If you are outdoors and a storm approaches, seek safe shelter indoors.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH means conditions are favorable for severe storms in and close to the watch area. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce tornadoes with little or no advanced warning. Residents should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings.

From the National Weather Service:

DAMAGING THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. RESIDENTS IN NORTHERN AND CENTRAL VIRGINIA…NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MARYLAND…AND THE EASTERN WEST VIRGINIA PANHANDLE SHOULD MONITOR THIS SITUATION VERY CLOSELY AND ENSURE YOUR NOAA WEATHER RADIOS ARE SET TO ALERT MODE. SEVERE WEATHER WARNINGS MAY BECOME NECESSARY.

HERE ARE SOME SAFETY RULES TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN SEVERE WEATHER IS EXPECTED OR IS OCCURRING.

IF A WARNING IS ISSUED…SEEK SHELTER INDOORS IMMEDIATELY. A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM IS DEFINED AS PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE OR GREATER HAIL AND WIND GUSTS OF 58 MPH OR MORE.

TORNADOES OFTEN FORM VERY RAPIDLY FROM SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS. IF YOU ARE IN A TORNADO WATCH…AND A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING IS ISSUED FOR YOUR AREA…MONITOR LOCAL CONDITIONS CLOSELY AND BE READY TO TAKE QUICK ACTION TO SAVE YOUR LIFE.

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO…COMMERCIAL RADIO OR TELEVISION FOR THE LATEST ON THIS POTENTIAL SEVERE WEATHER EVENT. ADDITIONAL WEATHER INFORMATION…CAN BE FOUND AT WEATHER.GOV/WASHINGTON OR WEATHER.GOV/BALTIMORE.

Flash Flood Warning Issued

By ARLnow.com

Arlington and the surrounding area is now under a Flash Flood Warning.

The Flash Flood Warning means that sudden, localized flooding is imminent due to the heavy rains overnight. If you encounter a flooded roadway while driving, you’re strongly encouraged to “turn around, don’t drown.”

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A

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

* UNTIL 1015 AM EDT

* AT 709 AM EDT… NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED VERY HEAVY RAIN HAD FALLEN CAPABLE OF PRODUCING FLASH FLOODING. RADAR ESTIMATES THAT UP TO 3 INCHES OF RAIN HAVE ALREADY FALLEN ACROSS PORTIONS OF THE WARNED AREA. STREAMS ARE RISING EXTREMELY RAPIDLY.

* SOME LOCATIONS THAT ARE AFFECTED BY THE HEAVY RAIN INCLUDE ALEXANDRIA… ANNANDALE… ARLINGTON… BALLSTON… BELLE HAVEN… BURKE… FRANCONIA… HYBLA VALLEY… LAKE BARCROFT… LINCOLNIA… MCLEAN… MERRIFIELD… OAKTON… REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT… ROSSLYN… SPRINGFIELD… THE I395 AND I495 INTERCHANGE… THE I66 AND I495 INTERCHANGE… TYSONS CORNER… VIENNA… WOLF TRAP… ASPEN HILL… BETHESDA… CHEVY CHASE… COLESVILLE… FAIRLAND… HILLANDALE… POTOMAC… ROCKVILLE… TAKOMA PARK… THE AMERICAN LEGION BRIDGE… THE WOODROW WILSON BRIDGE… WHITE OAK… ADAMS MORGAN… AMERICAN UNIVERSITY… GEORGETOWN… DOWNTOWN WASHINGTON… US CAPITOL… CRYSTAL CITY… FORT TOTTEN… GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY… GROVETON… HOWARD UNIVERSITY… HUNTINGTON… MANTUA… NATIONALS PARK AND PIMMIT HILLS.

EXCESSIVE RUNOFF FROM HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CAUSE FLASH FLOODING OF SMALL CREEKS AND STREAMS… URBAN AREAS… HIGHWAYS… STREETS… UNDERPASSES AND OTHER DRAINAGE AREAS AND LOW LYING SPOTS.

MOST FLASH FLOOD DEATHS OCCUR IN AUTOMOBILES. NEVER DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE WATER COVERS THE ROAD. FLOODWATER USUALLY IS DEEPER THAN IT APPEARS. JUST ONE FOOT OF FLOWING WATER IS POWERFUL ENOUGH TO SWEEP VEHICLES OFF THE ROAD. MAKE THE SMART CHOICE WHEN FLOODED ROADS ARE ENCOUNTERED… TURN AROUND… DONT DROWN.

Flash Flood Watch Issued for Arlington

By ARLnow.com

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

Forecasters say 2-3 inches of rain is expected to fall from Thursday afternoon into Friday. Heavy rain showers and thunderstorms may cause flash flooding, especially along small local rivers and streams.

From the NWS:

… FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF MARYLAND… THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND VIRGINIA… INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING AREAS… IN MARYLAND… ANNE ARUNDEL… CARROLL… CHARLES… FREDERICK MD… HARFORD… HOWARD… MONTGOMERY… NORTHERN BALTIMORE… PRINCE GEORGES AND SOUTHERN BALTIMORE. THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN VIRGINIA… ALBEMARLE… ARLINGTON/FALLS CHURCH/ALEXANDRIA… CULPEPER… FAIRFAX… GREENE… LOUDOUN… MADISON… NELSON… NORTHERN FAUQUIER… ORANGE… PRINCE WILLIAM/MANASSAS/MANASSAS PARK… RAPPAHANNOCK… SOUTHERN FAUQUIER… SPOTSYLVANIA AND STAFFORD.

* FROM LATE THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON

* SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS… WITH PERIODS OF HEAVY RAIN… ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP THURSDAY AFTERNOON AND CONTINUE THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING. 2 TO 3 INCHES OF RAINFALL IS EXPECTED… WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS. FLASH FLOODING IS POSSIBLE… ESPECIALLY ALONG SMALL RIVERS AND STREAMS.

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.

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