Washington is starting Sunday with partly cloudy skies and temperatures around 77 degrees, but the calm will not last. Showers could develop before late morning, with thunderstorms becoming more likely through the afternoon and into the evening. The high is expected to reach about 87 degrees.
Heavy Rain Arrives Sunday Afternoon
The National Weather Service is calling for a 70% chance of precipitation Sunday, with showers and thunderstorms increasingly likely after 11 a.m. and especially from midafternoon into the evening. Southeast winds of 6 to 9 mph could gust as high as 18 mph, while daytime rainfall totals may reach three-quarters of an inch.
Repeated downpours could create flooding problems in urban areas, underpasses and other spots with poor drainage. A Flood Watch is in effect for parts of Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia through late Sunday night, while forecasters said the watch could potentially expand toward the Washington metro area as the day develops, according to the National Weather Service.
Storm Chances Continue Into Monday
Sunday night looks particularly wet, with a 90% chance of showers and thunderstorms, a low near 73 degrees and another 1 to 2 inches of rain possible. Monday will remain unsettled, with a high near 88, a 70% chance of showers and storms, and another quarter- to half-inch of rain possible.
Rain and thunderstorm chances will continue most afternoons and evenings through the week. Highs should climb from the upper 80s into the low 90s by Thursday, while increasing humidity could push heat indexes into the upper 90s beginning Wednesday.
Keep Outdoor Plans Flexible
Anyone heading out Sunday should be ready for rapidly changing conditions, especially later in the day. Avoid driving through flooded streets or underpasses, and give thunderstorms time to pass before resuming outdoor activities.
