The National Weather Service put the DC area under a severe thunderstorm watch until 9 p.m. Monday, warning that strong storms could sweep through the region during the afternoon and evening. The alert came as temperatures had already climbed into the low 90s, a setup that can help fuel fast-moving weather.
Mark Peña said the storms could bring damaging winds up to 68 mph and very heavy rainmakers, with some neighborhoods seeing anywhere from around a half to over an inch of rain. That matters because the rain could help ease dry conditions over several days, but if it falls too hard and too fast, it can inundate roads in minutes.
Peña urged motorists to keep that risk in mind and turn around, don’t drown. The warning was aimed at people in the D.C. region facing a Monday afternoon weather system that could produce strong wind, rain and storms, with showers expected to linger overnight.
The watch was scheduled to expire at 9 p.m., and the next question is whether the same system will simply fade or leave enough lingering instability to keep weather alerts going after dark. Tuesday was forecast to be cooler, with highs in the 80s.
