WASHINGTON, DC — Friday afternoon turned sharply stormier in the DC region after a day that felt as oppressive as Thursday. Temperatures climbed into the mid-90s, and the heat index reached 103 degrees.
A cold front moving into the hot, humid air mass was expected to trigger storms from late afternoon through about 9 p.m., with heavy rain and very strong winds possible.
Warnings already in place
Severe thunderstorm warnings were issued earlier for Washington, Montgomery County in Maryland, and several counties in Virginia. A severe thunderstorm watch remained in effect until 9 p.m.
A heat advisory also stayed active until 8 p.m., underscoring how quickly the day shifted from dangerous heat to hazardous storms.
Commute impact and rain threat
The strongest storms were expected to line up with the evening commute, making Friday’s round of weather more disruptive than Thursday’s. Forecasters said the system could deliver higher rain totals than the previous day’s storms…