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Warm, unstable air mass brings storms to DC region, prompting ground stops at airports

Drivers had a slick afternoon commute as storms rolled through the D.C. region Wednesday evening.

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Rain fell in parts of D.C., Maryland and Virginia, courtesy of a warm and unstable air mass that had the potential to produce some heavy thunderstorms.

Storms may produce damaging winds and heavy rainfall,” WTOP Meteorologist Mike Stinneford said, adding there was a risk of an isolated tornado.

Air travel was also impacted. After 3 p.m., ground stops were issued at Reagan National, Dulles International and BWI Marshall airports due to thunderstorms. Delays continued after the flight restrictions were lifted.

Storms were expected to dissipate before sunset, and the weather the rest of the evening was predicted to be mostly cloudy and muggy, with temperatures falling to the upper 60s to mid-70s and fog developing in some areas after midnight.

But summerlike temperatures are coming back over the next two days. Despite the threat of storms on Thursday and Friday, temperatures will be in the mid- to upper 90s with heat index values as high as 105 degrees.

Humidity levels will be lower Saturday, even though it’ll be mostly sunny with temperatures near 90 degrees.



Forecast

OVERNIGHT: Partly to mostly cloudy and muggy. Areas of fog developing after midnight. Lows in the upper 60s to mid-70s.

THURSDAY: Partly cloudy, hot and humid with afternoon thunderstorms. Storms may be severe. Highs in the mid to upper 90s…heat indexes as high as 105

FRIDAY: Hot and humid. Afternoon storms likely. Storms may be severe. Highs in the mid to upper 90s…heat index as high as 105

SATURDAY: Mostly sunny with lower humidity. Highs near 90.

CURRENT CONDITIONS

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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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