storm

UPDATE: Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Update at 3:55 p.m. — A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for Arlington.

From the National Weather Service:

BULLETIN – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
352 PM EDT WED AUG 7 2019

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING…

* UNTIL 430 PM EDT.

* AT 352 PM EDT, A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED OVER ARLINGTON, MOVING NORTHEAST AT 30 MPH.

HAZARD…60 MPH WIND GUSTS AND QUARTER SIZE HAIL.

SOURCE…RADAR INDICATED.

IMPACT…DAMAGING WINDS WILL CAUSE SOME TREES AND LARGE BRANCHES TO FALL. THIS COULD INJURE THOSE OUTDOORS, AS WELL AS DAMAGE HOMES AND VEHICLES. ROADWAYS MAY BECOME BLOCKED BY DOWNED TREES. LOCALIZED POWER OUTAGES ARE POSSIBLE. UNSECURED LIGHT OBJECTS MAY BECOME PROJECTILES.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE… ARLINGTON, ALEXANDRIA, COLUMBIA, BETHESDA, BOWIE, ANNANDALE, COLLEGE PARK, CROFTON, GREENBELT, LANGLEY PARK, BELTSVILLE, GROVETON, FALLS CHURCH, HUNTINGTON, CORAL HILLS, BLADENSBURG, FEDEX FIELD, FORT TOTTEN, ROSSLYN AND CRYSTAL CITY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A BUILDING.

Earlier: Arlington County is under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 8 p.m. tonight.

The watch was issued shortly before 2 p.m. Wednesday, as a line of strong storms formed west and north of the area. Forecasters say hail, high winds and frequent lightning are possible with today’s storms.

“Seek shelter from damaging winds and flash flooding if warnings are issued,” Virginia’s Dept. of Emergency Management said in a tweet today.

More from social media:

https://twitter.com/VaDOT/status/1159165932884910081

File photo

UPDATED: Flash Flood, Severe Thunderstorm Watches Issued for Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Update at 6:20 p.m. — The watches have been canceled.

Update at 1:25 p.m. — A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has also been issued for Arlington, from 1:15-9 p.m.

Earlier: Heavy rain and storms could lead to flash flooding today, forecasters say.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for Arlington, D.C., and a portion of the I-95 corridor. The watch is in effect from 2-8 p.m. today.

…FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT 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, BALTIMORE, HARFORD, AND PRINCE GEORGES COUNTIES. THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA, ARLINGTON/FALLS CHURCH/ALEXANDRIA AND FAIRFAX. * UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING * SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING VERY HEAVY RAINFALL ARE EXPECTED ACROSS THE AREA THIS AFTERNOON AND INTO THE EVENING. THIS HEAVY RAIN MAY LEAD TO LOCALIZED TOTAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF UP TO 3 INCHES. MUCH OF THIS RAIN MAY FALL IN SHORT PERIODS OF TIME IN ANY GIVEN LOCATION, RESULTING IN THE RISK FOR 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. &&

Forecasters are also monitoring for the possibility of severe storms this afternoon.

NWS issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for the area, the precursor for a possible severe thunderstorm watch or warning.

THUNDERSTORMS MAY PRODUCE SCATTERED INCIDENTS OF DAMAGING WIND GUSTS THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING, AS WELL AS HEAVY RAINFALL WHICH MAY RESULT IN ISOLATED INSTANCES OF FLOODING. THE HIGHEST RISK IS ALONG THE I-95 CORRIDOR WHERE A FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT.

Incoming Storms Prompt Another Severe Thunderstorm Warning

By ARLnow.com

For the third night in a row, parts of Arlington County are under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning.

A line of storms approaching from the southwest has reached Arlington with potentially damaging winds and heavy rain. The rain may cause localized flooding, as Arlington remains under a Flash Flood Watch.

More from the National Weather Service:

…A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 PM EDT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA…SOUTHEASTERN MONTGOMERY… NORTHWESTERN PRINCE GEORGES…ARLINGTON…AND NORTHEASTERN FAIRFAX COUNTIES…THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH AND THE NORTHWESTERN CITY OF ALEXANDRIA… AT 832 PM EDT, A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED OVER GEORGETOWN, OR OVER ROSSLYN, MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH. HAZARD…60 MPH WIND GUSTS. SOURCE…RADAR INDICATED. THIS STORM HAS A HISTORY OF PRODUCING WIND DAMAGE WITH NUMEROUS DOWNED TREES REPORTED. IMPACT…DAMAGING WINDS WILL CAUSE SOME TREES AND LARGE BRANCHES TO FALL. THIS COULD INJURE THOSE OUTDOORS, AS WELL AS DAMAGE HOMES AND VEHICLES. ROADWAYS MAY BECOME BLOCKED BY DOWNED TREES. LOCALIZED POWER OUTAGES ARE POSSIBLE. UNSECURED LIGHT OBJECTS MAY BECOME PROJECTILES. LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE… ARLINGTON, ALEXANDRIA, BETHESDA, COLLEGE PARK, GREENBELT, LANGLEY PARK, FALLS CHURCH, PIMMIT HILLS, MCLEAN, UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, HOWARD UNIVERSITY, GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY, AMERICAN LEGION BRIDGE, FORT TOTTEN, ROSSLYN, ASPEN HILL, POTOMAC, NORTH BETHESDA, LINCOLNIA AND TYSONS CORNER. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A BUILDING. && HAIL…<.75IN WIND…60MPH

Photo courtesy Scott Schlimmer

UPDATE: Arlington Under Flash Flood Watch, Severe Thunderstorm Watch Monday

By ARLnow.com

Update at 2:30 p.m. — The National Weather Service just issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Arlington and the region.

Update at 11:15 p.m. — A Flash Flood Watch has been issued for Arlington and is set to take effect Monday afternoon.

Forecasters say multiple rounds of storms are expected later in the day Monday, producing heavy rainfall that could produce flooding.

More from the National Weather Service:

…FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE MONDAY NIGHT…

* MULTIPLE ROUNDS OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HEAVY RAINFALL ARE LIKELY. AREAL AVERAGE RAINFALL OF 1 TO 1.5 INCHES IS EXPECTED, WITH ISOLATED TOTALS OF 4 INCHES POSSIBLE. MUCH OF THIS RAIN MAY FALL IN SHORT PERIODS OF TIME IN ANY ONE GIVEN LOCATION, RESULTING IN THE RISK FOR FLASH FLOODING MONDAY AFTERNOON INTO MONDAY NIGHT.

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.

(more…)

Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Update at 9:55 p.m. — The warning has been cancelled.

Earlier: Portions of Arlington County are under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning until 10 p.m.

Forecasters say the storm is packing winds of 60 miles per hour or stronger, as well as possible quarter-sized hail.

More 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… NORTHWESTERN PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND… ARLINGTON COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… THE NORTH CENTRAL CITY OF FALLS CHURCH IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… NORTHEASTERN FAIRFAX COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… * UNTIL 1000 PM EDT. * AT 918 PM EDT, A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED OVER AMERICAN LEGION BRIDGE, MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH. HAZARD…60 MPH WIND GUSTS AND QUARTER SIZE HAIL. SOURCE…RADAR INDICATED. IMPACT…DAMAGING WINDS WILL CAUSE SOME TREES AND LARGE BRANCHES TO FALL. THIS COULD INJURE THOSE OUTDOORS, AS WELL AS DAMAGE HOMES AND VEHICLES. ROADWAYS MAY BECOME BLOCKED BY DOWNED TREES. LOCALIZED POWER OUTAGES ARE POSSIBLE. UNSECURED LIGHT OBJECTS MAY BECOME PROJECTILES. * LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE… ARLINGTON, BETHESDA, BOWIE, COLLEGE PARK, GREENBELT, LANGLEY PARK, VIENNA, FORESTVILLE, FALLS CHURCH, LARGO, CORAL HILLS, BLADENSBURG, PIMMIT HILLS, MCLEAN, FEDEX FIELD, AMERICAN LEGION BRIDGE, FORT TOTTEN, ROSSLYN, CRYSTAL CITY AND UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A BUILDING. && HAIL…1.00IN WIND…60MPH

UPDATED: Severe Storms Rumble Through Arlington, Knock Out Power

By ARLnow.com

Update at 10:40 p.m. — There are still 664 Dominion customers without power across various parts of Arlington, according to the power company.

Update at 6:05 p.m. — About 700 Dominion customers are reported to be without power in Arlington, mostly in residential north Arlington, following the storms. Nearly 35,000 are reported to be without power in Fairfax County, including in the McLean area.

Update at 5:30 p.m. — A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for Arlington. More from the National Weather Service:

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A * SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING…  UNTIL 615 PM EDT. * AT 523 PM EDT, A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED OVER AMERICAN LEGION BRIDGE, MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH. HAZARD…60 MPH WIND GUSTS. SOURCE…RADAR INDICATED. IMPACT…DAMAGING WINDS WILL CAUSE SOME TREES AND LARGE BRANCHES TO FALL. THIS COULD INJURE THOSE OUTDOORS, AS WELL AS DAMAGE HOMES AND VEHICLES. ROADWAYS MAY BECOME BLOCKED BY DOWNED TREES. LOCALIZED POWER OUTAGES ARE POSSIBLE. UNSECURED LIGHT OBJECTS MAY BECOME PROJECTILES. * LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE… ARLINGTON, COLUMBIA, ROCKVILLE, BETHESDA, GAITHERSBURG, BOWIE, SEVERN, ANNANDALE, OLNEY, COLLEGE PARK, CROFTON, GREENBELT, LANGLEY PARK, BELTSVILLE, VIENNA, ELKRIDGE, FALLS CHURCH, BLADENSBURG, PIMMIT HILLS AND MCLEAN. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A BUILDING. && HAIL…<.75IN WIND…60MPH

Earlier: Arlington County and much of the surrounding region is now under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch.

A line of strong storms is approaching from the west, packing high winds and potentially penny-sized hail.

The storms are expected to pass through Arlington within an hour or so.

Monday’s Storm Was Unusually Strong But Part of ‘Wetter Cycle,’ Experts Say

By Airey
1/5

This week’s devastating flash floods may be evidence of a bigger weather pattern shift, some experts say.

The storm that pummeled the Arlington dumped 3.3 inches of rain in one hour Monday morning, breaking the regional record. Some experts say this is part of a larger pattern of wetter weather — and possibly climate change.

The so-called supercell developed in Frederick County, Virginia, where NWS Meteorologist Jason Elliott says cool, dry winds from the north met with warm, wet winds from the south. From there the storm — which was about the side of Montgomery County, Md. — travelled about 20 miles per hour towards southern Maryland.

Unfortunately for Arlington, the heaviest part of the storm travelled down the Potomac River — straight through Fairfax County, Arlington County, Alexandria and D.C. — overwhelming stormwater management systems and filling streets, homes, and businesses with water.

When a rainstorm hits, the runoff water not absorbed into the ground travels into the county’s stormwater pipes. However, too much water can fill the pipes, and flow out of manholes and storm drains.

“Water will then flow underneath of a road or a bridge and a stream will fill up and flow on top of a road or culvert,” said Aileen Winquist, Arlington’s Stormwater Management Program Manager. “That’s where damage can occur.”

Monday’s storm not only turned streams and streets into raging rapids, but also caused sewage backups in homes. Winquist said this is usually caused by water flooding sewer pipes and coming up through the floor drains in basements. It’s a problem residents in Westover and elsewhere face as they continue to recover from the flooding.

The county’s storm and sewer systems are overall in “good condition”, Winquist said, and crews continuing to repair corroded storm pipes and re-line old sewer pipes as needed.

“Typically the storm sewer system is designed for what’s known as a 10 year storm,” she added, referring the federal classification of a storm that has a 10% chance of occurring once every 10 years.

“It was easily raining 5 inches in an an hour, for half an hour,” said Elliot. “And nothing can handle something that heavy in that short a period of time.”

The county keeps a detailed map of every location in Arlington damaged in a flood and uses it prepare for future emergencies and prioritize routine repairs. Winquist declined to share a copy of the map, citing privacy concerns, but noted that Westover was not among the neighborhoods filled with water during Arlington’s last major flood back in 2006.

New flood plains can be caused by a variety of factors, such as problems with the storm water pipes or nearby development projects. But there’s also the issue of storms getting stronger and wetter.

(more…)

UPDATED: Severe Storms Rumble Through Arlington

By ARLnow.com
1/2

Update at 9:40 p.m. — The Arlington County Fire Department responded to at least two reports of house fires caused by lightning strikes. The number of outages in Arlington reported by Dominion is now 966.

Update at 7:55 p.m. — Dominion is reporting 934 customers without power in Arlington County in the wake of the storms, which packed high winds and torrential rain. Portions of residential North Arlington appear to be the hardest hit.

Earlier: Arlington is now under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning, as strong storms bear down on the county from the northwest.

More 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… NORTHWESTERN PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND… ARLINGTON COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… NORTHEASTERN FAIRFAX COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… * UNTIL 745 PM EDT. * AT 645 PM EDT, A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED OVER GREAT FALLS, OR OVER HERNDON, MOVING EAST AT 25 MPH. HAZARD…60 MPH WIND GUSTS. SOURCE…RADAR INDICATED. IMPACT…DAMAGING WINDS WILL CAUSE SOME TREES AND LARGE BRANCHES TO FALL. THIS COULD INJURE THOSE OUTDOORS, AS WELL AS DAMAGE HOMES AND VEHICLES. ROADWAYS MAY BECOME BLOCKED BY DOWNED TREES. LOCALIZED POWER OUTAGES ARE POSSIBLE. UNSECURED LIGHT OBJECTS MAY BECOME PROJECTILES. * LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE… ARLINGTON, ALEXANDRIA, GERMANTOWN, ROCKVILLE, BETHESDA, GAITHERSBURG, RESTON, OLNEY, COLLEGE PARK, GREENBELT, LANGLEY PARK, BELTSVILLE, VIENNA, FALLS CHURCH, CORAL HILLS, BLADENSBURG, PIMMIT HILLS, MCLEAN, AMERICAN LEGION BRIDGE AND FORT TOTTEN. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A BUILDING. && HAIL…<.75IN WIND…60MPH

Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued for Arlington, Region

By ARLnow.com
Wind and heavy rain in Clarendon during thunderstorm

Arlington is again under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch tonight.

The watch, which goes until 10 p.m., is in addition to a separate Flash Flood Watch through 11 p.m.

Forecasters say severe storms with hail and high winds are possible today in parts of the D.C. area, including Arlington.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Parts of Arlington, N. Va.

By ARLnow.com

Parts of Arlington are under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning through 5:30 p.m. due to an incoming line of storms.

The storms may pack damaging wind gusts, according to forecasters.

More from the National Weather Service:

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
447 PM EDT THU JUN 13 2019

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR… SOUTH CENTRAL LOUDOUN COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… THE CITY OF FAIRFAX IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… WEST CENTRAL ARLINGTON COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… CENTRAL FAIRFAX COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… EAST CENTRAL FAUQUIER COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… THE CITY OF MANASSAS PARK IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… NORTHWESTERN PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… THE CITY OF MANASSAS IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA…

* UNTIL 530 PM EDT.

* AT 447 PM EDT, A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED OVER LINTON HALL, OR 10 MILES EAST OF WARRENTON, MOVING NORTHEAST AT 35 MPH.

HAZARD…60 MPH WIND GUSTS.

SOURCE…RADAR INDICATED.

IMPACT…DAMAGING WINDS WILL CAUSE SOME TREES AND LARGE BRANCHES TO FALL. THIS COULD INJURE THOSE OUTDOORS, AS WELL AS DAMAGE HOMES AND VEHICLES. ROADWAYS MAY BECOME BLOCKED BY DOWNED TREES. LOCALIZED POWER OUTAGES ARE POSSIBLE. UNSECURED LIGHT OBJECTS MAY BECOME PROJECTILES.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE… CENTREVILLE, RESTON, ANNANDALE, SOUTH RIDING, HERNDON, FAIRFAX, VIENNA, FALLS CHURCH, MANTUA, PIMMIT HILLS, BURKE, LINTON HALL, OAKTON, CHANTILLY, LINCOLNIA, TYSONS CORNER, WOLF TRAP, GREAT FALLS, MERRIFIELD AND BULL RUN.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A BUILDING.

Arlington Under Severe Thunderstorm Watch

By ARLnow.com

Arlington County and the entire region is under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch Sunday afternoon and evening.

Storms packing damaging winds and large hail are heading toward the D.C. area from the west, with a cold front that’s expected to lower temperatures and humidity levels.

More from the National Weather Service:

The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of District Of Columbia, Western and Central Maryland, Southeast Ohio, Northern Virginia, West Virginia, Coastal Waters

* Effective this Sunday afternoon and evening from 1255 PM until 800 PM EDT.

* Primary threats include… Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely, Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2 inches in diameter possible

SUMMARY…Multiple rounds of thunderstorms are expected to develop this afternoon across the watch area, spreading eastward through the afternoon. The strongest cells in this region will pose a risk of damaging wind gusts and hail.

The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 70 statute miles north and south of a line from 35 miles west northwest of Charleston WV to 30 miles north northeast of Patuxent River MD.

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.

View More Stories