Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Sterling, VA
Issued by NWS Sterling, VA
631 FXUS61 KLWX 101943 AFDLWX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC 343 PM EDT Mon Aug 10 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for much of the area through 9 PM. && .KEY MESSAGES... - 1) Severe thunderstorms are possible today and Tuesday amongst hot and humid conditions. - 2) Showers and thunderstorms remain possible at times through the end of the week, with a cooling trend expected toward the weekend. && .DISCUSSION... KEY MESSAGE 1...Severe thunderstorms are possible today and Tuesday amongst hot and humid conditions. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 9 PM for much of the area, although it will likely be able to be cancelled early once storms push through. Previous clusters and their outflows from our northwest have congealed. While there was some weakening over/downslope of the Alleghenies, the cold pool is starting to organize again as it encounters MLCAPE over 2000 J/kg with 30-35 kt shear. The main question is whether the line will remain in balance or if outflows eventually outpace it as it encounters higher DCAPE. Isolated storms/some supercells have also fired ahead of the main line which also pose a severe risk. Overall, the risk for damaging winds will continue as the line pushes east. Some locally considerable damage is possible. A few instances of large hail could occur, mainly in more singular cells. A tornado also can`t be ruled out, although low level shear is not overly favorable. Some guidance shows some more showers and thunderstorms moving through the area overnight or into Tuesday morning, though this will be dependent on what develops upstream. It`s unlikely any of this activity would be severe. Prospects for thunderstorm continue Tuesday but confidence in the details is lower. There is some signal in the models that instability will be lower over much of the forecast area since the atmosphere might be a bit overturned and there could be debris cloudiness around. Severe weather probabilities are highest across southwestern portions of the CWA, which may be in closer proximity to the MCS track coming out of the Ohio Valley. Some models do still show thunderstorms farther north in the area as well, though. Damaging winds will again be the primary threat. The risk for isolated flash flooding could occur anywhere on either day if a merging or backbuilding storm were to occur over a susceptible area. Accumulatively, however, the risk of flooding is greatest near and west of the Appalachians where several rounds of heavy thunderstorms may occur through mid week. Today might be the hottest day of the week as heat index values are locally peaking over 100. While the humidity sticks around Tuesday, temperatures may be slightly lower. KEY MESSAGE 2...Showers and thunderstorms remain possible at times through the end of the week, with a cooling trend expected toward the weekend. Daily storm chances look to continue through at least Friday as a cold front gradually drifts south. Ahead of that front will be several fast moving shortwave disturbances which will help aid in shower and thunderstorm development during the diurnal periods. The southward progress of the cold front is uncertain however, and could be modulated by various convective complexes and a potential wave of low pressure tracking along it Thursday or Friday. Both physics-based and AI guidance show lower severe weather chances Wednesday through Friday with declining instability. Showers and thunderstorms could remain possible though with the front nearby. Thursday may be relatively the hottest day as heights briefly rise. For Saturday in particular, there may be a better chance of drying out as high pressure builds to the north. This will also bring a corresponding cool down in temperatures (potentially a bit below normal) along with lower humidity. The front won`t be too far to the south however, and will likely attempt to lift north later this weekend or early next week as a low pressure system moves into the Great Lakes. Thus, some low end PoPs remain in the forecast each day through the end of the forecast period. && .AVIATION /18Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... VFR conditions look to prevail across the terminals through Friday, although there will be daily chances for showers and thunderstorms. A line of thunderstorms has developed this afternoon and will continue eastward across the metro areas through 22-23Z. A few thunderstorms have been developing ahead of the line as well. The leading edge will bring strong to severe winds and heavy rainfall. However, there is currently a lot of lightning in the trailing stratiform region, so some impacts may linger for an hour or so afterward. Some models show more showers and thunderstorms later tonight or Tuesday morning, but this will depend on what develops upstream and its ultimate evolution, so confidence is too low to include any mentions in the TAFs. There will likely be a wind shift to the west or northwest tonight, with that direction prevailing through Tuesday and perhaps through the end of the week. Coverage of thunderstorms is much more uncertain by Tuesday afternoon, so have only included PROB30 groups for now. The risk may be relatively higher at CHO. Guidance has a slightly greater signal for some patchy fog Tuesday night. Showers and thunderstorms remain possible Wednesday through Friday but will depend on the position of an approaching cold front and the timing of any disturbances. VFR conditions and dry conditions are more likely Saturday as high pressure builds to the north. && .MARINE... A brief period of southerly channeling may return to the middle and open waters of the Chesapeake Bay this afternoon/evening, but the duration may be brief or disrupted by approaching thunderstorms. Overall sub-SCA level winds are expected through much of the week, though wind direction is a bit uncertain as a cold front slowly approaches and various disturbances/thunderstorm clusters pass through. There could be an enhanced northwesterly surge once the front does push through Friday or Saturday. Outside of the background winds, expect daily shower and thunderstorm chances each afternoon and evening through upcoming Friday (though can`t rule out storms overnight and in the mornings as well). Special Marine Warnings may be needed to encompass any stronger thunderstorms that may form especially today (especially as an organized line approaches) and Wednesday. Strong to severe wind gusts and frequent lightning will be the main threats. && .LWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... DC...None. MD...None. VA...None. WV...None. MARINE...None. && $$ DISCUSSION...ADS/EST AVIATION...ADS/EST MARINE...ADS/EST