Listen live to WTOP for the latest weather updates on the 8s and when it breaks. Heavy downpours and thunderstorms blew through the D.C. region on Saturday afternoon, creating the conditions for a brief tornado in Poolesville, Maryland. Officials with the National Weather Service confirmed an EF-0 tornado blew through the neighborhood just before 2 p.m., bringing down a few trees in the area.
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The tornado traveled the length of a football field, with peak winds at approximately 75 mph. No injuries or deaths were reported in a preliminary survey of tornado-related damages. Thunderstorms with damaging winds ranging 15-25 mph and some gusts as high as 55 mph swept through the national capital area’s southern Virginia suburbs around 1:15 p.m., according to WTOP meteorologist Chad Merrill. Storm clouds began hovering over the District between 1:45 – 2:15 p.m. as wet, windy weather blanketed the WTOP listening area. The storms migrated out of the immediate D.C. region, and the Severe Thunderstorm Watch expired by 4 p.m. A steady rain followed the storms, though the region began drying out by nightfall according to WTOP meteorologist Mike Stinneford. “Showers will end by sunset, and overnight skies will clear… and it will turn cooler,” said Stinneford. Meanwhile, the D.C. area continues to be in a moderate drought. About half of the dozens of trees knocked over by the strong winds hit power lines, according to Stinneford. Highs topped out at 74 degrees, and temperatures dropped into the 50s on Saturday night. The wet weather was thanks to a strong cold front coming from the west. Sunday is projected to be cooler and sunny but still windy.
Forecast:
EARLY SUNDAY: Clearing and cooler. Lows in the 40s to lower 50s. SUNDAY: Partly sunny, breezy and cool. Highs in the upper 50s to mid 60s. MONDAY: Partly cloudy and cool. Highs in the mid 50s to lower 60s. TUESDAY: Partly cloudy. Highs in the mid 50s to lower 60s. WEDNESDAY: Becoming cloudy with a risk of rain by late in the day. Highs in the lower 60s. THURSDAY: Showers. Highs in the lower 60s.
