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Thousands without power after severe thunderstorms rolled through DC area

As expected, severe weather moved into the D.C. area just in time for the Monday evening commute — and it’s left thousands without power around D.C. Here’s what you need to know.

Storm Team4 meteorologist said parts of the area saw a fair amount of hail and really strong wind between 50- to 70-mph gusts, which complicated the evening drive.

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WTOP Traffic reporter Dave Dildine said there were reports of spinouts, downed trees and standing water.

Thousands of customers were dealing with power outages Monday night, with the most in Charles and Anne Arundel counties in Maryland and Fairfax and Prince William counties in Virginia.

The storms are expected to rapidly end after sunset.

A few D.C.-area school systems closed early ahead of potentially hazardous weather Monday.

VRE service impacts

Monday’s weather has prompted heat restrictions that could impact Virginia Railway Express service. Along the Fredericksburg line, trains south of Franconia/Springfield could be delayed through 7 p.m.

(Such restrictions are intended to slow down rail traffic, because warm temperatures can affect the tracks.)

Forecast

Monday night: Storms end before 9 p.m. West winds at 5 to 15 mph. Lows in the 50s and 60s.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, breezy and pleasant with lower humidity. Highs in the mid 70s to near 80.

Wednesday: Morning sun giving way to increasing clouds and warmth, with showers and storms possible at night. Highs in the low to mid 70s.

Thursday: Mostly cloudy, warm and humid with a chance of scattered showers. Highs in the upper 70s.

Power Outages

WTOP’s Jack Pointer and Liz Anderson contributed to this story.

Hot, humid week ahead for DC area with severe storm risk

A dangerous heat wave will grip the D.C. area through Thursday, with highs in the mid to upper 90s and heat index values between 100 and 105. Hot and humid conditions are expected through Thursday, according to the National Weather Service, which said to expect daily thunderstorm chances and a risk of severe thunderstorms. 7News Meteorologist Eileen Whelan told WTOP that most of Tuesday will stay dry, but a few late-day thunderstorms are possible, especially north and east of D.C. as storms drift south from Pennsylvania. Any storm could produce damaging wind gusts and hail, but Whelan reiterated "storm chances are low" on Tuesday. Due to a lack of air conditioning, Parkdale High School in Riverdale, Maryland, closed early at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Prince George's County Public Schools said in a social media post.
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