severe weather

NWS Issues Tornado Watch

By Katie Pyzyk

In light of strong storms that are expected to blow through the area this afternoon and evening, the National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for the D.C. metro area, including Arlington. It is in effect until 10:00 p.m.

From NWS:

TORNADO WATCH 377 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM EDT FOR THE
FOLLOWING LOCATIONS

VA
. VIRGINIA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

ARLINGTON FAIRFAX LOUDOUN

VIRGINIA INDEPENDENT CITIES INCLUDED ARE

FAIRFAX

Storms could bring strong winds and flooding tonight and tomorrow. More from NWS:

LOW PRESSURE AND ITS ASSOCIATED COLD FRONT WILL LIKELY TRIGGER
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. SOME
THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WIND
GUSTS…LARGE HAIL AND HEAVY RAINFALL THAT COULD LEAD TO ISOLATED
FLASH FLOODING. AN ISOLATED TORNADO CANNOT BE RULED OUT IN THE
STRONGER STORMS…ESPECIALLY ACROSS NORTHEASTERN MARYLAND.

A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE MARYLAND PORTION OF
THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AND LOWER TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER FROM 10 AM TODAY
THROUGH TONIGHT.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY

NUMEROUS THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP ONCE AGAIN ON FRIDAY. A FEW OF
THESE STORMS MAY BE SEVERE…PRODUCING DAMAGING WINDS GUSTS.

LOCALIZED FLASH FLOODING WILL BE POSSIBLE SUNDAY THROUGH TUESDAY
DUE TO REPEATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE REGION.

UPDATE: NWS Issues Severe Thunderstorm Warning

By Katie Pyzyk

(Updated at 3:40 p.m.) The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Arlington and the rest of the metro area until 4:30 p.m. This is the same system that has prompted tornado warnings in nearby counties. From NWS:

.DAY ONE…TODAY AND TONIGHT

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR…
THE DIS
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…
WESTERN PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND…
SOUTHERN HOWARD COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND…
EASTERN LOUDOUN COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA…
NORTHERN FAIRFAX COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA…

* UNTIL 430 PM EDT

* AT 323 PM EDT…SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WERE DETECTED ALONG A LINE
EXTENDING FROM 5 MILES NORTHWEST OF POOLESVILLE TO SOUTH RIDING…
AND WERE MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH. THIS LINE OF STORMS IS CAPABLE OF
PRODUCING DESTRUCTIVE WINDS IN EXCESS OF 70 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE…
ROCKVILLE…
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA…
RESTON…
HERNDON…
GERMANTOWN…
MONTGOMERY VILLAGE…
NORTH POTOMAC…
GAITHERSBURG…

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.

THIS LINE OF STORMS HAS A HISTORY OF PRODUCING WIDESPREAD WIND
DAMAGE. SEEK SHELTER INSIDE A STURDY STRUCTURE AND STAY AWAY FROM
WINDOWS.

Many events and activities have been cancelled for this afternoon and evening in light of the storms, including those listed below:

  • Arlington Public Schools after school activities and late buses
  • Rosslyn Farmers Market and Lunchtime Concert
  • Pentagon Row’s “Rock at the Row” concert
  • Shirlington’s “Shirlala Music Festival”

Severe Thunderstorm Watch, Flood Watch

By Katie Pyzyk

Update at 9:35 a.m. — Departing flights are experiencing a “gate hold” at DCA. Delays of at least 30 minutes should be expected, and could get worse throughout the day.

Update at 8:55 a.m. — There is a ground stop for flights arriving at Reagan National Airport due to the weather. Check with your airline for the status on any outgoing flights.

The National Weather Service has put Arlington and the rest of the metro area under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 11:00 a.m. That’s in addition to the Flash Flood watch that went into effect at midnight and will last until 8:00 p.m.

NWS notes several rounds of strong storms could soak the area. That could create trouble due to the level of ground saturation from the heavy rains that caused flooding earlier this week. From NWS:

* SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL LIKELY MOVE ACROSS THE REGION
THIS MORNING AND PRODUCE HEAVY DOWNPOURS. RAINFALL AMOUNTS IN
EXCESS OF 1 INCH ARE POSSIBLE. ANOTHER ROUND OF STORMS MAY BRING
HEAVY RAIN THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING WITH AN ADDITIONAL 1 TO 2
INCHES POSSIBLE.

* WITH THE GROUND ALREADY SATURATED FROM HEAVY RAINFALL DURING
THE PAST WEEK…ONLY AN INCH OF RAINFALL IN AN HOUR COULD
PRODUCE FLASH FLOODING OF STREAMS AND LOW LYING AREAS.

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.

Although the storms have the potential to bring damaging winds and the word “derecho” is being thrown around, the Capital Weather Gang doesn’t expect it to be as strong as the derecho that struck last year.

The Office of Personnel Management has kept all federal offices open, but employees have the option of unscheduled leave or unscheduled telework.

NWS Issues Tornado Watch

By Katie Pyzyk

(Updated at 3:05 p.m.) The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for Arlington and the entire metro area. The watch will be in effect until 10:00 p.m. From NWS:

PRIMARY THREATS INCLUDE…
SEVERAL TORNADOES POSSIBLE
SEVERAL DAMAGING WIND GUSTS TO 70 MPH POSSIBLE
A FEW LARGE HAIL EVENTS TO 1 INCH IN DIAMETER POSSIBLE

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

REMEMBER…A TORNADO WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR
TORNADOES AND 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.

Strong storms are expected to blow into the area this afternoon and evening, possibly packing damaging winds and heavy rain. From the earlier NWS Severe Weather Outlook:

.DAY ONE…THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

THUNDERSTORMS WILL ACCOMPANY A STRONG COLD FRONT THAT WILL MOVE
ACROSS THE AREA LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. A FEW STORMS MAY
BE SEVERE WITH LOCALLY DAMAGING WINDS AND HEAVY RAIN.

A GALE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE MARYLAND CHESAPEAKE BAY AND
TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER FROM 2 PM THIS AFTERNOON UNTIL 10 PM THIS
EVENING. A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 PM. A SMALL
CRAFT ADVISORY WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED AFTER THE GALE WARNING
EXPIRES LATE THIS EVENING AND TONIGHT.

A STRENGTHENING SOUTHERLY FLOW MAY PRODUCE MINOR COASTAL FLOODING
NEAR TIMES OF HIGH TIDE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY

A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED FOR THE ENTIRE
MARYLAND PORTION OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AND TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER
SATURDAY. A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY MAY BE NEEDED FOR PORTIONS OF THE
WATERS SATURDAY NIGHT INTO SUNDAY.

Although Arlington Public Schools has not issued any system-wide cancellations, some individual schools have already reported cancellations for evening events in anticipation of the severe weather.

Arlington Under Tornado Watch

By ARLnow.com

Arlington and the surrounding D.C. region is now under a Tornado Watch.

The warning of possible tornadic activity comes as a strong storm front approaches the area. We’re also under a Flash Flood Watch and a Wind Advisory. From the National Weather Service:

… WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM EST THURSDAY…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON HAS ISSUED A WIND ADVISORY… WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM EST THURSDAY.

* TIMING… THE STRONGEST WINDS ARE EXPECTED AHEAD OF A COLD FRONT LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

* WINDS… SOUTH 25 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS 45 TO 50 MPH. WINDS WILL SHIFT TO THE WEST BEHIND THE COLD FRONT OVERNIGHT.

* IMPACTS… THE STRONG WINDS COULD BRING DOWN TREE LIMBS AND CAUSE SCATTERED POWER OUTAGES. UNSECURED OBJECTS MAY BE BLOWN ABOUT… AND HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES MAY BECOME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A WIND ADVISORY MEANS THAT WIND GUSTS OF 45 TO 55 MPH ARE EXPECTED. WINDS THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT… ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES

(more…)

Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued

By ARLnow.com

Update at 3:35 p.m. — Arlington is now under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning through 4:30 p.m.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for the region through 10:00 p.m.

The National Weather Services says an approaching line of storms could bring heavy rain and damaging winds.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED UNTIL 10PM EDT. THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON INTO THE EVENING IN ADVANCE OF A COLD FRONT APPROACHING FROM THE WEST. SOME STORMS WILL PRODUCE DAMAGING WIND GUSTS OF UP TO 70 MPH. ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE ALSO POSSIBLE.

UPDATED: Region Under Severe Thunderstorm Warning

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 10:30 p.m.) The region is under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning through 11:15 p.m. Forecasters say a line of powerful storms known as a derecho is quickly moving our way from the Ohio Valley.

From the National Weather Service:

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING…

* UNTIL 1115 PM EDT

* AT 1009 PM EDT… SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WERE DETECTED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 7 MILES NORTHEAST OF BRUNSWICK TO OATLANDS TO 10 MILES SOUTH OF BEALETON TO 25 MILES WEST OF MASSAPONAX… AND WERE MOVING EAST AT 60 MPH. THIS LINE OF STORMS IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HAIL UP TO THE SIZE OF QUARTERS AND DESTRUCTIVE WINDS IN EXCESS OF 80 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE… HARRY GROVE STADIUM… SOUTH RIDING… LANSDOWNE… BROADLANDS… POOLESVILLE… HERNDON… DULLES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT… COUNTRYSIDE… LOWES ISLAND… GREEN VALLEY…

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.

THIS LINE OF STORMS HAS A HISTORY OF PRODUCING WIDESPREAD WIND DAMAGE. SEEK SHELTER INSIDE A STURDY STRUCTURE AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

Also:

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH DAMAGING WIND GUSTS TO IMPACT REGION THIS EVENING…

AT 745 PM… A LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCING DAMAGING WIND GUSTS WAS CROSSING SOUTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA AND CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA. THIS LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS IS EXPECTED TO HIT THE POTOMAC HIGHLANDS BETWEEN 8 AND 8:30 PM… THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY BETWEEN 8:30 AND 9 PM… THE INTERSTATE 95 CORRIDOR INCLUDING THE GREATER WASHINGTON AND BALTIMORE METROPOLITAN AREAS BETWEEN 9:30 AND 10 PM… THEN REACHING THE CHESAPEAKE BAY BETWEEN 10:30 AND 11 PM.

THIS LINE OF STORMS HAS A HISTORY OF PRODUCING MAJOR WIND DAMAGE ACROSS WEST VIRGINIA DUE TO WIND GUSTS OVER 75 MPH… ALONG WITH PROLIFIC CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING.

Flood Warning Issued for Arlington, Region

By ARLnow.com

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood Arlington for the region, specifically mentioning Arlington as an area that might be impacted by heavy rains from a line of thunderstorms.

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… NORTHERN CITY OF MANASSAS IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… ARLINGTON COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… CITY OF MANASSAS PARK IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… CITY OF ALEXANDRIA IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… CENTRAL PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… NORTHERN PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND… FAIRFAX COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA…

* UNTIL 830 PM EDT

* AT 527 PM EDT… NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED FLASH FLOODING FROM THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM RESTON TO ALEXANDRIA… MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

* SOME LOCATIONS THAT WILL CONTINUE TO BE AFFECTED BY THE HEAVY RAIN INCLUDE WASHINGTON DC… ARLINGTON… ALEXANDRIA… AND FAIRFAX.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES HAVE FALLEN AND ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE IN THE WARNED AREA.

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

DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE ROADWAY. THE WATER DEPTH MAY BE TOO GREAT TO ALLOW YOUR CAR TO CROSS SAFELY. MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND.

UPDATE: Major Delays At Reagan National Airport

By ARLnow.com

Update at 6:30 p.m. — The ground stop at Reagan National has been lifted, but major delays are being reported. From the FAA:

Due to WEATHER / THUNDERSTORMS, there is a Traffic Management Program in effect for traffic arriving Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington, DC (DCA). This is causing some arriving flights to be delayed an average of 3 hours and 27 minutes. To see if you may be affected, select your departure airport and check “Delays by Destination”.

Earlier: Due to severe weather in the area, Reagan National Airport is under a “ground stop” — meaning no flights are arriving or departing.

Dulles International Airport and Baltimore-Washington International Airport are also under a ground stop.

Travelers heading to any local airport should expect significant delays as storms continue to move through the region.

Strong Storms Sweep Through Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Update at 4:10 p.m. — That’s all folks. The storms have moved southeast, out of Arlington.

Update at 4:10 p.m. — N. Vance Street is reported to be blocked at Lee Highway due to a large branch in the roadway. Police are on scene.

Update at 3:55 p.m. — Several manhole covers have been dislodged by the flooding. Dislodged manhole covers have been reported on the 1200 block of S. Scott Street (since taken care of by the fire department) and at 5th Street and and N. Montague Street. There has also been a report of a car that was damaged after driving into an open sewer portal along Columbia Pike.

Update at 3:35 p.m. — A second severe thunderstorm is approaching Arlington. From the county’s Office of Emergency Management:

The National Weather Service has issued a second SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING for Arlington County until 4:15 PM. Doppler radar indicated a thunderstorm approaching the County which has intensified past severe limits. This storm will effect the entire county with heavy rain, large hail, and damaging winds of 60 MPH possible.

Significant cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. All outdoor activities should be postponed until this storm passes. Severe Thunderstorms can produce tornadoes with little or no advanced warning. Residents are urged to seek safe shelter indoors until the storm passes and remain alert for any additional warnings.

Update at 3:35 p.m. — Flashing traffic lights have been reported at Old Dominion Drive and N. Glebe Road, 15th Street and N. Courthouse Road, Columbia Pike and S. Joyce Street, and Lee Highway and N. Harrison Street.

Update at 3:30 p.m. — A transformer fire has been reported on the the 2700 block of N. Wakefield Street. The fire department is investigating.

Update at 3:30 p.m. — Possible traffic issues due to standing water have been reported on Route 50 between Rosslyn and Courthouse, on Route 50 near Washington Boulevard and on Route 50 under the Glebe Road bridge.

Update at 3:10 p.m. — A flash flood warning has been issued for Arlington.

Storms are sweeping through Arlington this afternoon, bringing high winds, torrential rains and frequent lightning.

Numerous activated alarms and flashing traffic signals have been reported as a result of the storm. Some flooding of roadways has also been reported.

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