Washington, D.C. is waking up to a mostly clear but swampy Tuesday, with temperatures hovering near 72°F at Reagan National and dew points around 70°F that make the air feel downright sticky. Scattered morning showers are set to bubble up into a more widespread batch of showers and thunderstorms from late morning into the afternoon. The stronger cells could easily upend the evening commute and outdoor plans, so having an indoor backup for any afternoon events is a smart move. Expect brief but heavy downpours and gusty winds inside the more robust storms.
Afternoon Downpours And Gusty Winds
Scattered rain is on the table between about 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. The main event arrives between roughly 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., which is the prime window for travel headaches. Across the city, new rainfall totals of around a quarter to a half inch are likely. South of the metro, some spots could see locally heavier amounts, including the potential for more than 3 inches, which pushes up the risk of localized flooding. Damaging wind gusts remain the primary severe concern.
Out on the water, Small Craft Advisories have been expanded for bay waters and could hang on into Wednesday morning, so boaters should think twice before treating this like a routine day on the water, according to the National Weather Service.
What To Watch For
When storms flare, brief, intense downpours can knock down visibility in a hurry and lead to ponding on streets. Drivers should slow it down and build in extra time on wet roads. Around the house, secure loose outdoor items and be ready to pull the plug on backyard or park plans if storms start stacking up overhead.
For background on this week's pattern and those earlier gusty days, check out our recent weather roller coaster.
Late Week Outlook
A stronger cold front is expected to approach later this week, setting up another round of showers and thunderstorms for the weekend while temperatures climb back into the upper 80s to mid 90s by early next week. The exact timing of the front is still uncertain, so anyone with outdoor plans from Friday through Sunday will want to stay tuned for updates, as laid out in the National Weather Service discussion.
