For the weatherwise, the forecast is not looking promising for Thursday.
The potential for widespread, damaging thunderstorms that will impact our area is very real, according to a National Weather Service special weather statement. Noting a “significant weather threat” for Thursday, the storms may contain tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail.
And, to add insult to possible injury, Accuweather.com reports there is a large Derecho possibility for Thursday in an area that spans from Chicago to Washington, D.C.
Many may remember the Derecho storm — a long-lived, widespread windstorm that travels for miles — that hit our area one year ago. In its wake it left downed trees, power outages, and the storm was blamed for disabling many 911 call centers in the region. Emergency shelters were established in Prince William and Stafford counties for residents to take shelter from the heat that followed the storm.
Derecho storms are capable of producing winds up to 60 to 70 mph.
This afternoon and tonight, showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop prior to Thursday’s major weather event. Those storms could produce localized flash flooding, the National Weather Service states.
After the threat passes on Friday, skies should be mostly sunny with highs about 80 degrees. A calmer weekend is in for forecast with partly cloudy skies on Saturday, and mostly sunny skies on Sunday.
