WASHINGTON, DC — Tuesday is expected to be the most active weather day of the week across the Washington, D.C. region, with strong storms likely from the afternoon into late evening. A cold front moving in from the Midwest is set to collide with deep tropical moisture, creating conditions for severe thunderstorms and very heavy rain.
The Storm Prediction Center has kept the entire D.C. metro in an Enhanced Risk, or Level 3 out of 5, with damaging wind gusts identified as the main danger.
The Setup Building Early
Several ingredients are coming together at once to support storm development. Moist tropical air is pushing precipitable water values above 2 inches, while wind shear of 30 to 40 mph through the atmosphere should help storms organize.
Temperatures are expected to rise into the lower 90s with high humidity, giving thunderstorms plenty of fuel once daytime heating peaks.
Morning Weather Before Storms
From 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., only isolated showers or thunderstorms are expected, and most of the morning should stay quiet. Any early activity is more likely south of Washington, though travelers are being advised to watch radar in case a storm develops.
Afternoon And Evening Commute Risks
Storms are expected to become more numerous from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. as daytime heating increases, and some could turn severe by afternoon. The busiest weather window appears to be 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., when scattered strong to severe storms could affect the evening commute…