Widespread Severe Storms Target DC Area Wednesday

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Washington, D.C., region should brace for the potential of severe weather Wednesday afternoon. Storms could be powerful, bringing the possibility of hail, gusty winds and flooding to the area, according to reports.

Much of the region is under a severe thunderstorm watch, including D.C.; Arlington, Fairfax and Prince George's counties, and the cities of Alexandria, Falls Church and Fairfax, NBC Washington reported. The watch expires at 8 p.m. EDT.

Other communities affected include Aberdeen, Annapolis, Arnold, Aspen Hill, Ballenger Creek, Baltimore, Bel Air, Bethesda, Bowie, California, Camp Springs, Catonsville, Chantilly, Chesapeake Beache, Clinton, College Park, Columbia, Culpeper, Dahlgren, Dundalk, Dunkirk, Edgewood, Eldersburg, Ellicott City, Essex, Fallston, Falmouth, Frederick, Fredericksburg, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Glen Burnie, Gordonsville, Greenbelt, Havre de Grace, Herndon, Huntingtown, Joppatown, Laurel, Leesburg, Lexington Park, Lusby, Manassas Park, Potomac, Prince Frederick, Randallstown, Reston, Rockville, Severn, Severna Park, Silver Spring, South Gate, Spotsylvania Courthouse, St. Charles, Sterling, Suitland-Silver Hill, Towson, Waldorf, Warrenton, Washington, Westminster and Woodbridge.

Around 2 p.m., thunderstorms were rapidly developing in the western parts of the region, moving southwest to northeast. Storms are expected to arrive in the immediate D.C. area by mid-to-late afternoon, according to the Capital Weather Gang. A majority of storms should merge into a line and exit the area before sunset.

Storms should also bring an end to the humidity affecting the region. A cold front will move through the area Thursday, bringing with it more comfortable days and a reduced chance of additional severe weather.

Here's the latest DC/northern Virginia forecast from the National Weather Service:

Wednesday Afternoon: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Southwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 11pm, then isolated showers between 11pm and 2am. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. West wind 5 to 7 mph becoming south in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. West wind 6 to 8 mph.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. West wind 5 to 7 mph.

Friday: A slight chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Northwest wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 87.