Washington, D.C. started Monday, June 22, 2026, looking pretty harmless: clear skies, sticky air, and temperatures near 73°F at Reagan National Airport. By later today, though, that quiet morning is expected to flip as a warm southerly flow helps fire up scattered showers and thunderstorms that should become more widespread into the evening. The main trouble spot is the late-afternoon and early-evening commute, when the risk for damaging wind gusts and brief heavy downpours peaks.
Afternoon Into Evening
Scattered showers and thunderstorms could pop up between about 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., with storms becoming more widespread later in the afternoon as highs climb near 91°F before easing back into the mid-80s. The strongest storms may drop 1 to 2 inches of rain in a short burst, and forecasters say damaging wind gusts are the primary severe threat, with a brief tornado still not entirely off the table. Flooding is not expected to be a major issue since storms should move along instead of repeatedly soaking the same neighborhoods. According to the Storm Prediction Center, the greatest severe threat comes late afternoon into the early evening.
Boaters And Commute
Small Craft Advisories are up for parts of the Potomac and Chesapeake from about noon into the evening, so boaters are better off steering clear of open water while storms roll through. On shore, brief downpours and frequent lightning could slow Metro or bus service and trigger spotty power outages. Drivers should keep an eye out for ponding on low-lying streets and avoid driving through standing water, no matter how tempting that shortcut looks. It is a good idea to secure patio furniture and move outdoor events inside well before the late-afternoon window.
Tonight And The Week Ahead
Showers and thunderstorms will likely linger into Monday night, with lows settling near 68°F. A drier, sunnier day is expected Wednesday, with highs in the mid-80s, before storm chances creep back in later in the week. Forecasters note that daily thunderstorm chances increase again Thursday and Friday as southerly flow returns and moisture builds back in. If you have evening plans, keep an eye on radar and updates from the National Weather Service.
