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UPDATED: Tree Down on Glebe, Soldiers Struck By Lightning

By ARLnow.com
1/9

(Updated at 5:50 p.m.) A strong thunderstorm ripped through Arlington during Monday’s evening rush hour, knocking down trees, knocking out power and injuring two soldiers on Fort Myer.

The soldiers were reportedly struck by lightning on or around Whipple Field on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. They were reported to be conscious and alert — with non-life-threatening injuries — and were being tended to by Arlington firefighters and paramedics.

On N. Glebe Road just south of Ballston, a large tree was uprooted by the storm, bringing down power lines and crushing two parked cars. The power lines were live and one witness said the sparking wires “burned a hole through the pavement” below. No injuries were reported, but emergency crews have closed the southbound lanes of Glebe Road in the area of 4th Street N. as a result.

The lane closures on Glebe will stretch well into the night as repairs take place. The repair work and power pole replacement is expected to take 6-8 hours.

As of 5:50 p.m., Dominion was reporting 5,629 customers without power in Arlington County. The power outages have also impacted numerous traffic signals around the county. Dark traffic signals should be treated as a four-way stop.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued

By ARLnow.com

Arlington County and the rest of the D.C. area is under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch through 8:00 tonight.

Forecasters say storms with damaging winds and maybe even a tornado are possible this afternoon and evening.

From the National Weather Service:

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM…FOR THE INTERSTATE 95 CORRIDOR OF NORTHERN MARYLAND AND NORTH CENTRAL VIRGINIA…AND LOWER SOUTHERN MARYLAND. NUMEROUS THUNDERSTORMS… SOME SEVERE…WILL DEVELOP THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. DAMAGING WIND GUSTS AND AN ISOLATED TORNADO WILL BE THE PRIMARY THREATS. IN ADDITION…ANY THUNDERSTORM WILL PRODUCE VERY HEAVY RAINFALL AND MAY RESULT IN LOCALIZED FLASH FLOODING.

Photos: Last Night’s Double Rainbow

By ARLnow.com
1/11

Between storms last night, there was a period of pure serenity — a crystal clear double rainbow appearing in front of a golden sunset.

Many Arlington residents captured the moment on their phones and digital SLRs, and sent us the photos via email, Twitter and our Flickr pool.

Above is a selection of the photos we received.

UPDATED: Power Outages Follow Severe Storms

By ARLnow.com
1/16

Update at 10:50 p.m. — Fewer than 1,000 Dominion customers are now in the dark in Arlington. A possible water main break has also been reported in Fairlington.

Nearly 3,000 Dominion customers were without power in Arlington Tuesday night after a line of severe storms packing gusty winds blew through the area.

Most of the power outages were concentrated in south Arlington, in the Pentagon City area. Storms appear to have caused only minor damage in most parts of Arlington, but a reported transformer fire on the 1600 block of Arlington Ridge Road has caused numerous power outages along the east end of Columbia Pike and in Pentagon City, Aurora Highlands and Arlington Ridge, according to Twitter reports.

Police closed Arlington Ridge Road near the blown transformer, while Dominion crews worked to fix it.

Despite the outages, the storms did have some upside: temperatures have cooled down significantly and residents were treated to a spectacular double rainbow at sunset as the storms passed.

Arlington County and much of the D.C. area was under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning earlier. Forecasters said a line of storms approaching the area was packing “destructive” winds, large hail and frequent lightning.

From the National Weather Service:

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 830 PM EDT FOR THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA… THE CITY OF FAIRFAX… THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH… THE CITY OF MANASSAS… THE CITY OF MANASSAS PARK… PRINCE WILLIAM… FAIRFAX… CALVERT… ANNE ARUNDEL… PRINCE GEORGES… ARLINGTON… HOWARD AND MONTGOMERY COUNTIES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA…

AT 715 PM EDT… SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WERE DETECTED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM LAUREL TO KENILWORTH TO FRANCONIA… AND WERE MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH.

THESE STORMS ARE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE… RIDGEWAY… SEVERN… SUITLAND… DISTRICT HEIGHTS… SOUTH GATE… PRINCE GEORGES STADIUM… GAMBRILLS… MORNINGSIDE… SEVERNA PARK… HERALD HARBOR… CROWNSVILLE… CLINTON… CAPE ARTHUR… RIVERDALE… CHELSEA BEACH… PASADENA… SILLERY BAY… LAKE SHORE… BODKIN POINT… NAVY-MARINE CORPS MEMORIAL STADIUM…

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

St. Paddy’s Day Snow Shuts Down Gov’t, Schools

By ARLnow.com

Snow 3/3/14 (file photo)Update at 12:30 p.m. — ART service says it is resuming full service for the afternoon rush hour.

Update at 9:35 a.m. — Runways have reopened at Reagan National Airport. Metro says it will resume normal Metrobus service at 11:00 a.m.

A late season snow storm has shut down the federal government as well as all Arlington County schools, government offices, courts and facilities.

Arlington Public Schools says its schools and offices are closed today, and all “extracurricular activities, interscholastic contests, team practices, field trips, adult and community education classes, and programs in schools and on school grounds are canceled.”

Arlington County government, meanwhile, has closed, citing “treacherous travel conditions.” About 7-8 inches of snow fell on parts of Arlington. The Dept. of Environmental Services says its snow clearing effort is currently in Phase 2 — plowing primary and secondary roads while side roads remain snow-covered.

“If possible, stay off the roads while snow removal efforts continue throughout the day,” the county government said.

ART buses are operating at Severe Service levels on routes 41,42, 45, 51, 77 and 87. All other routes are canceled.

“Service will be added mid-day as conditions permit,” ART reported. Metrobuses are running on major roads only, also on the agency’s severe snow plan. Metrorail is operating at near-normal service levels.

Runways at Reagan National Airport are closed as crews work to reopen the airport to arriving and departing flights.

File photo

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