DC region braces for severe weather on Memorial Day, possibility of storms and isolated tornadoes

Expect the trend of warm, muggy and stormy weather to continue on Memorial Day in the D.C. region, including the possibility of hail and an isolated tornado. Here’s what you need to know.

While the early morning should be rather mild with the possibility for a passing shower, 7News First Alert Meteorologist Brian van de Graaff said the arrival of a cold front should bring strong to severe weather around noon and through the mid-afternoon.

“We are on a heightened alert today,” van de Graaff said. “The potential for damaging wind gusts hail, even isolated tornadoes not out of the question as we head through the back half of the afternoon.”

The unstable weather has been the pattern all weekend: humid conditions throughout the day, ending with rainfall and storms overnight. Parts of the region experienced a stray shower or thunderstorm Sunday evening as well.

Any outdoor barbecues or poolside events should definitely be prepared for a rainy day or move toward the early evening hours to avoid much of the damage caused by the storms, van de Graaff said.

All the storms should move out of the region by the evening with cool dry conditions and temperatures dropping into the 60s.

“It should actually make for a pretty nice night if you have some plans for later on,” van de Graaff said.

Tuesday plans to bring more seasonable weather with more sunny and less humid conditions. There is the possibility of a passing shower but chances are low. There is a greater chance for a thunderstorm on Wednesday as temperatures are expected to be in the 70s.

More Memorial Day news

• Events in the DC area that commemorate Memorial Day holiday
• ‘Be patient’: DC-area drivers hit the road to beat the Memorial Day weekend traffic
• What you need to know about road closures in DC this Memorial Day weekend
• Memorial Day 2024: What’s open, what’s closed around DC area

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