The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the D.C. area until 9 p.m. Monday as temperatures in the D.C. region climbed into the low 90s. Mark Peña said the afternoon weather event could bring damaging winds and very heavy rain, with the main risk landing during the busiest part of the day.
Mark Peña on Monday afternoon
Peña, a 7News First Alert Meteorologist, said the storms could bring "damaging winds up to 68 mph as well as bringing very heavy rainmakers, anywhere from around a half to over an inch" in some neighborhoods. He also warned that the sudden rain could inundate roads Monday afternoon and told motorists to "turn around, don’t drown."
D.C. region rain and roads
The watch covered the D.C. area while Monday was forecast to stay mostly cloudy with afternoon heavy storms and highs between 85 and 92. That setup leaves some neighborhoods more exposed than others: the heaviest rain and strongest winds would come where the storm bands track, while nearby areas could get less rain or only brief gusts.
The rain could ease dry conditions over several days, but the same downpour could flood roads fast enough to catch drivers in the D.C. region off guard. People in the D should treat low-water crossings, underpasses and any standing water as a route to avoid, not a shortcut to test.
Tuesday in the D.C. region
Showers were expected to linger overnight, with Monday night mostly cloudy and scattered showers and lows between 67 and 74. Tuesday was expected to turn cooler, with mostly cloudy skies, a chance of showers and storms, and highs between 75 and 80.
The threat then eases further: Wednesday was forecast to be mostly sunny with highs between 82 and 86, and Thursday partly cloudy with a chance of storms and highs between 85 and 90. For now, the watch remains the immediate cutoff for travel and outdoor plans, especially where rain can pile up fastest on already wet pavement.
