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.
Update at 3:10 p.m. — Arlington is now under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning. From the National Weather Service:
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A
* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING…
* UNTIL 400 PM EDT.
* AT 310 PM EDT, A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED OVER CENTREVILLE, MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.
HAZARD…PING PONG BALL SIZE HAIL AND 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, CENTREVILLE, WALDORF, RESTON, ANNANDALE, CLINTON, SPRINGFIELD, SOUTH RIDING, FORT WASHINGTON, FAIRFAX, FORT HUNT, VIENNA, GROVETON, FALLS CHURCH, HUNTINGTON, CORAL HILLS, MANTUA, FORT BELVOIR AND PIMMIT HILLS.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A BUILDING.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Washington DC, Arlington VA, Alexandria VA until 4:00 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/pvRJqSgtDg
Earlier: Arlington County and most of the D.C. area is now under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch.
Forecasters say storms with heavy rain, large hail, wind gusts up to 65 miles per hours and even isolated tornadoes are possible in the region this afternoon and evening.
More via social media:
A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for parts of DE, DC, MD, NJ, PA, VA, WV until 9 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/yyf0bbpeEt
Weather Alert today. Scattered storms are likely between 2-8PM with two rounds (2-4 and 6-8 DC Metro). Heavy rains and strong winds are the biggest concerns. Better trigger today vs yesterday so just bc yesterday didn't materialize has no bearing on today! pic.twitter.com/ExXCMmxaki
Utility poles, power lines and trees down on N. Glebe Road
10. Utility poles, power lines and trees down on N. Glebe Road after storm on May 23, 2019
Utility poles, power lines and trees down on N. Glebe Road
Dominion power outage map at 4:05 p.m.
Utility poles, power lines and trees down on N. Glebe Road
Utility poles, power lines and trees down on N. Glebe Road
A line of storms approaching Arlington
A large, old walnut tree down in Bluemont Park (courtesy photo)
Tree down on N. George Mason Drive near Park Drive
Tree down on N. George Mason Drive near Park Drive
Dominion power outage map detail
Police directing traffic near Ballston
Traffic map showing heavy traffic in Ballston
Base of a tree toppled by Thursday’s storms near Ballston
Update at 8:40 p.m. — Closures along Lee Highway and N. Glebe Road, among others, are expected to remain in place into the morning rush hour, according to Arlington Alert.
INCIDENT: Weather Related Closures LOCATION: County-Wide IMPACT: Closures expected into the morning commute: Lee HW btwn John Marshall Dr & Nottingham, N Barton btwn 10th & 12th St N, 11th St N btwn Cleveland & 2300 blk, N Glebe Rd btwn 50 & Henderson pic.twitter.com/66GpWKVIub
Update at 7 p.m. — Lee Highway is blocked at N. Nottingham Street, just west of the District Taco, due to a downed tree, according to scanner traffic. Reported power outages are down to about 28,500 in Arlington.
Update at 6 p.m. — Power outages in Arlington have reached a new peak of 35,719 customers, per Dominion’s website. Firefighters, meanwhile, are continue to respond to numerous reports of trees and wires down on houses — and across sidewalks and roadways — as well as a number of vehicle crashes. A tree is reported down on a car at the intersection of N. Kennebec Street and 11th Road N. in the Westover neighborhood, according to the National Weather Service.
Additional photos from the road closure on Glebe Road. The roadway is expected to remain closed for 8-12 hours. Please avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/qZ9Ezj7WH8
Update at 5:20 p.m. — Dark traffic signals is causing gridlock on local roads. A Google traffic map shows significant delays, particularly around the Ballston area. Arlington Public Schools and Arlington Transit buses are reported to be delayed due to heavy traffic.
Video recently posted of the storm arriving in Ballston shows a transformer explosion.
Police, @ArlingtonVaFD, @ReadyArlington, Sheriff's Office and @ArlingtonDES are all working tirelessly to prioritize calls for service related to today's significant storms and address immediate threats to public safety. Remember: only call 9-1-1 in an emergency. https://t.co/Ib6EXWW1ou
Update at 4:55 p.m. — Dominion has posted the following message on its website about the storm recovery.
Dominion Energy’s northern region has been impacted by severe thunderstorms, which included 70 mph wind gusts and lightning. These locations are the most impacted:
Alexandria
Fairfax
Woodbridge
Springfield
Leesburg
Fredericksburg
Customers have reported several spans of wire, trees and tree limbs down on the ground and over roadways.
We are still getting impacted by this line of storms. Our crews are working as quickly and as safely as possible to restore power. As soon as we are able to do a thorough assessment of the damages, we will be able to establish an estimated time of restoration.
Please stay back from all downed wires or damaged equipment, and call us immediately to report these damages at 1-866-DOM-HELP or 1-866-366-4357. You may also report power outages online by clicking here. If using a generator, please follow your manufacturer’s guidelines to operate it safely.
We appreciate your patience.
Dominion Energy
Update at 4:50 p.m — Due to the extensive storm damage, some parts of Arlington are not expected to have their power restored for hours. Dominion’s map shows the estimated restoration time for some large outages as 5-10 p.m., while others do not have an estimated time of restoration. N. Glebe Road is expected to remain closed south of Ballston, near 4th Street N., for about 12 hours per an Arlington Alert.
Volunteer firefighters have started responding to some calls to help work down the fire department’s backlog, per scanner traffic. Among the calls handled by ACFD are numerous stuck elevators, caused by power outages; several people were just freed from a stuck elevator at Don Tito’s in Clarendon, per scanner traffic.
We’re are currently experiencing extremely high call volume due to the storm. If you are stuck in an elevator, we’re sorry for the inconvenience, but we will be there as soon as possible to get you out. https://t.co/VPpwFRKmVt
Update at 4:35 p.m. — Dominion is now reporting just under 35,000 customers without power in Arlington. Among the neighborhoods without power is a large portion of residential north Arlington; several neighborhoods along Columbia Pike; most of Clarendon, Virginia Square and Ballston; Shirlington and Fairlington; and Aurora Highlands and Arlington Ridge.
Updated at 4:20 p.m. — Photos from the scene show extensive storm damage to trees and power lines on N. Glebe Road south of Ballston. Police have requested additional units to the area for crowd control. Arlington’s 911 call center is “slammed” with calls and police have a 20-call backlog, per scanner traffic.
Arlington County and much of the D.C. region is now under a Flash Flood Watch.
The watch is in effect until 10 a.m. Sunday. Forecasters say multiple rounds of heavy rain and storms could produce flash flooding.
More from the National Weather Service:
…FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING… WIDESPREAD SHOWERS AND POSSIBLE THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP THIS EVENING AND CONTINUE INTO SUNDAY MORNING. LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL IS EXPECTED. AVERAGE RAINFALL AMOUNTS WILL BE BETWEEN 1 AND 3 INCHES WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS AROUND 4 INCHES POSSIBLE. * HEAVY RAINFALL IN SHORT PERIODS OF TIME MAY CAUSE CREEKS AND STREAMS TO RAPIDLY RISE OUT OF THEIR BANKS ALONG WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR FLASH FLOODING IN URBAN 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. &&
Showers and possible thunderstorms are expected tonight into Sunday morning. Locally heavy rain is possible that could lead to flooding of small streams and creeks. One to two inches of rain are expected. #DCwx#MDwx#VAwx#WVwxpic.twitter.com/w5W2046R20
Update at 2:50 p.m. — The Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been cancelled by the National Weather Service.
Update at 2:30 p.m. — A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for Arlington.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A * SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR… THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA… SOUTHEASTERN MONTGOMERY COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND… NORTHERN PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND… THE NORTHEASTERN CITY OF FAIRFAX IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… ARLINGTON COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… NORTHEASTERN FAIRFAX COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… * UNTIL 315 PM EDT. * AT 225 PM EDT, A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED OVER HUNTINGTON, MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 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… REMAIN ALERT FOR A POSSIBLE TORNADO! TORNADOES CAN DEVELOP QUICKLY FROM SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS. IF YOU SPOT A TORNADO GO AT ONCE INTO THE BASEMENT OR SMALL CENTRAL ROOM IN A STURDY STRUCTURE. FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A BUILDING. TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER, CONTACT YOUR NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY. THEY WILL SEND YOUR REPORT TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA. && TORNADO…POSSIBLE HAIL…1.00IN WIND…60MPH
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Washington DC, Arlington VA, Alexandria VA until 3:15 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/5KPoLh75oI
11:45 AM FRI – Showers & t-storms will progress east across the region, with some storms becoming strong to locally severe with damaging winds and an isolated tornado possible. Most likely timing: 12-2 PM west of Blue Ridge, 2-4 PM metro areas, 4-6 PM southern MD & near the bay.
Severe weather threat is increasing for the mid Atlantic this afternoon & evening. Severe Thunderstorm or Tornado Watches will likely be issued soon. If you live or are traveling through this area, please be weather aware and prepared to seek safe shelter if warnings are issued. pic.twitter.com/3fExKWqleZ
(Updated at 1:25 p.m.) Arlington and the D.C. region is now under a Tornado Watch.
The watch is in effect until midnight tonight. Forecasters say the storms approaching the area may spawn isolated tornadoes.
The region is also under a Flash Flood Watch, with heavy rain expected this afternoon and evening. The expected stormy weather has prompted airlines to allow travelers at Reagan National Airport to change their flights without additional fees.
More from the National Weather Service:
MULTIPLE ROUNDS OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. SOME OF THE STORMS WILL LIKELY BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WIND GUSTS AND ISOLATED TORNADOES.
A FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY THROUGH MOST OF TONIGHT FOR THE ENTIRE OUTLOOK AREA.
GALE CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE OVER THE WATERS TONIGHT.
With flooding and power outages possible, Arlington County Police are reminding motorists to take extra precautions on the roads.
Gusty winds and heavy rain are likely during today's storm and may cause power outages. Plan ahead to limit your commute during the inclement weather. If you must be out, slow down, drive for the conditions and remember to treat any uncontrolled intersection as a FOUR WAY STOP. pic.twitter.com/ZY5m2nWMKm
Arlington County and surrounding areas are under both a Flood Watch and a Wind Advisory Thursday, as a front brings heavy rain and strong winds to the region.
About 1-2 inches of rain is expected to fall, potentially causing flooding in low-lying areas and along streams and creeks.
More from the National Weather Service:
…FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT… * FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON * RAIN WILL OVERSPREAD THE AREA THIS EVENING AND OVERNIGHT. THE HEAVIEST RAIN IS EXPECTED OVERNIGHT AND THURSDAY MORNING. TOTAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS AROUND 1 INCH ARE EXPECTED, WITH ISOLATED HIGHER AMOUNTS OF 1.5 TO 2 INCHES POSSIBLE. * EXCESS RUNOFF FROM A NEARLY FROZEN GROUND AND SATURATED SOILS WILL CAUSE THE POTENTIAL FOR STREAMS AND CREEKS TO RISE OUT OF THEIR BANKS AS WELL AS POTENTIAL FLOODING IN LOW LYING URBAN AREAS. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A FLOOD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING BASED ON CURRENT FORECASTS. YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE ALERT FOR POSSIBLE FLOOD WARNINGS. THOSE LIVING IN AREAS PRONE TO FLOODING SHOULD BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLOODING DEVELOP. &&
In addition to the rain, damaging winds are possible.
…WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO NOON EST THURSDAY… THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON HAS ISSUED A WIND ADVISORY, WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO NOON EST THURSDAY. * TIMING…THURSDAY MORNING. * WINDS…SOUTHWEST 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH. * IMPACTS…GUSTY WINDS WILL BLOW AROUND UNSECURED OBJECTS. TREE LIMBS COULD BE BLOWN DOWN AND A FEW POWER OUTAGES MAY RESULT. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A WIND ADVISORY MEANS THAT WINDS OF 45 TO 55 MPH ARE EXPECTED. WINDS THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT, ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. &&
More via social media:
Rain will be moving in tonight after midnight. Tomorrow through the midday hours rain could be heavy in spots. Around 1 to 1.5" is poss. and this could lead to some flooding issues. Winds will also be strong overnight and tomorrow … at least it's warmer! pic.twitter.com/lLNKGszsnd
Both flood watch and wind advisory in effect for DMV Thursday morning. Over an inch of rain possible, and wind gusts to 40 to 50 mph as strong cold front sweeps through. More info: https://t.co/zDJoNCDXkqpic.twitter.com/ZTVbjaHKoj
A Flood Watch will be in effect starting at 6 p.m. tonight as Arlington and the D.C. area is in for a heavy dose of rain through Saturday evening.
The National Weather Service says 1-2 inches of rain is likely, raising the possibility of flooding along creeks, streams and in urban areas.
More from NWS:
A Flood Watch remains in effect this evening through Saturday afternoon for much of the area. Rainfall amounts by Sunday evening will likely range between 1.5-2.0 inches, with locally higher amounts possible. More: https://t.co/5RyZgpeTAT#DCwx#MDwx#VAwx#WVwxpic.twitter.com/TOE6bTdEUd
…FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH
SATURDAY AFTERNOON…
* From this evening through Saturday afternoon
* Moderate rainfall is expected with locally heavy rain possible. Rainfall amounts around 1 to 2 inches are most likely with locally higher amounts around 3 inches possible. Runoff from the rainfall may cause creeks and streams to rise out of their banks as well as the potential for flooding in urban areas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts.
You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.
Arlington and surrounding areas are under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch tonight (Wednesday).
A line of potentially severe storms is approaching the D.C. region from the west. Forecasters say the storms could bring gusty winds, frequent lighting and hail.
More from the National Weather Service:
A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for parts of DE, DC, MD, NJ, PA, VA until 11 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/oMVVYs3LtJ
Arlington County is now under a Tornado Watch in addition to the earlier Flash Flood Watch.
With the remnants of Hurricane Florence moving past the area, conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes. Within the past half hour, a possible tornado was reported near Fredericksburg.
The Tornado Watch is in effect until 10 p.m.
A tornado watch has been issued for parts of District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia until 10 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/4CDThHFJfU
Arlington County is currently under a Flash Flood Watch.
Though the sun is out now, forecasters warn that slow-moving thunderstorms will develop later today and could dump heavy rain on Arlington and other parts of the region.
More from the National Weather Service:
…FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT… THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A * FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, AND PORTIONS OF CENTRAL MARYLAND AND NORTHERN VIRGINIA, INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING AREAS, IN MARYLAND, ANNE ARUNDEL, CARROLL, CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST HOWARD, CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST MONTGOMERY, FREDERICK MD, NORTHERN BALTIMORE, NORTHWEST HARFORD, NORTHWEST HOWARD, NORTHWEST MONTGOMERY, PRINCE GEORGES, SOUTHEAST HARFORD, AND SOUTHERN BALTIMORE. IN VIRGINIA, ARLINGTON/FALLS CHURCH/ALEXANDRIA AND FAIRFAX. * THROUGH MIDNIGHT TONIGHT. * SLOW MOVING THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING VERY HEAVY RAIN ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. * HIGH RAINFALL RATES MAY LEAD TO RAPID RISES OF WATER IN LOW- LYING AND POOR DRAINAGE AREAS AS WELL AS SOME SMALL 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. &&
A Flash Flood Watch has been issued for portions of the region until midnight tonight. This includes the Baltimore and Washington metropolitan areas. pic.twitter.com/xvRwqNUIua
