Arlington, Virginia 7 Day Weather Forecast

Wx Forecast - Wx Discussion - Wx Aviation

804
FXUS61 KLWX 271838
AFDLWX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
238 PM EDT Sat Jun 27 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
The chance for thunderstorms producing heavy rain appears to be
increasing generally near the Potomac River east of I-81 through
early to mid evening.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
- (1) A weak frontal boundary will linger across the region
  through Sunday delivering waves of showers and thunderstorms.

- (2) Significant heat risk next week heading into the
  Independence Day holiday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...A weak frontal boundary will linger across the
region through Sunday delivering waves of showers and thunderstorms.

A front has stalled in the vicinity of the Potomac River,
essentially bisecting Washington DC as of 18Z/2PM EDT.
Subsidence in the wake of an early morning vort along with
widespread cloud cover has kept a lid on most things for the
moment. However, some filtered sun as well as increasing theta-e
along the front later this afternoon into early evening is
expected to result in scattered to numerous showers and
thunderstorms. PWs increasing to near or over 2 inches coupled
with slow storm motions (less than 20 mph) roughly parallel to
the front could result in training and localized heavier
rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches. Should this occur in an hour
or two over an urban area, there could be a few flooding issues.
Outside of urban areas, ongoing drought should keep the flood
risk very low. Contemplating a targeted Flood Watch around the
DC metro 4-10PM.

Coverage of any storms should decrease through the evening, but
a few showers may linger through the overnight hours. In
addition to low clouds, patchy fog may be possible later
tonight. Overnight low temperatures will be in the mid 60s to
around 70.

Upper ridging will start to build to our west over the
Mississippi Valley and Great Lakes on Sunday. This will cause
flow to turn northwesterly aloft. A weak shortwave disturbance
is expected to dive southeastward from the Great Lakes and
approach the area from the northwest. Showers and thunderstorms
are forecast to develop once again ahead of this disturbance
Sunday afternoon. Coverage of showers and storms should be much
higher than Saturday with stronger daytime heating and large
scale ascent ahead of the approaching shortwave. Model soundings
show largely saturated profiles once again, with PWATs still
near 2 inches. However, instability is much greater, at around
1000-2000 J/kg of MLCAPE. With ample instability, high PWATS,
and deep warm cloud layers extending up to around 15kft, storms
should be capable of producing heavy rainfall. The most recent
runs of the HRRR and RRFS show localized maxima of 2-4"
scattered about the forecast area. As a result, there could be a
threat for flash flooding in urban areas. Outside of the urban
areas, the background drought conditions should help to limit
the threat for flooding. While flooding looks to be the greater
threat, there could also be a low-end threat for damaging winds,
with DCAPE values around 600-800 J/kg.

Upper ridging will continue to build in from the west on Monday.
Coverage of storms is expected to be lower on Monday, with most
of the activity likely remaining confined to the higher terrain
to the west of the Blue Ridge.


KEY MESSAGE 2...Significant heat risk next week heading into the
Independence Day holiday.

Increased confidence for a prolonged period of extreme heat and
humidity starting Tuesday, June 30th and lasting through the
Independence Day July 4th holiday weekend. Synoptically, subtropical
high pressure and a building upper-level ridge will allow
temperatures and humidity values to climb toward record levels
over a multi-day period mid to late next week. Temperatures
start to climb Tuesday as the upper-level ridge expands
eastward from the Ohio River Valley. Look for highs in the 90s
with heat indices running between 95-100 degrees. Wednesday
through Sunday will be the peak of the dangerous heat with highs
for most in the upper 90s and lower 100s. Heat indices each
afternoon will run between 102-108 degrees with a few readings
around 110 along the immediate I-95 metro corridor, western
shore of the bay/southern MD, and down across the VA Piedmont
region. Minimal relief is expected across the mountains with
highs in the mid 80s and low 90s and heat indices in the mid to
upper 90s as the heat peaks mid to late week. No relief at night
either with widespread lows in the upper 60s to mid 70s (upper
70s-80 urban areas) Wednesday through Saturday. With that said,
looking at major to extreme heat risk across the region during
this period. Heat headlines will likely be needed and evaluated
as the event gets closer. More at weather.gov/lwx/heat.

Model guidance (00z, 06z, and 12z) has come into better alignment in
regards to temperatures next week with only a few degrees of spread.
On the other side of the spectrum, some uncertainty remains in
regards to storm chances given the placement of boundaries and any
waves of low pressure that may clear away the heat. The ridge looks
to sit just west of the region if not overhead Tuesday before
shunting eastward late week into the weekend. This would keep storm
chances suppressed across most of the region outside of the
mountains Tuesday through Thursday given the lack of any real
forcing mechanisms outside the terrain or perhaps bay/river
breezes. This changes Thursday through the weekend where storm
chances may be amplified given a few pieces of energy pivoting
over the top of the upper-level ridge in west to northwest flow.

With excessive heat and humidity there will be plenty of instability
to work with. You combine this with any potential ripples of low
pressure moving around the ridge or a bay/river breeze to get
convective development. This is illustrated by CSU/CIPS/NSSL
(15-40 percent probabilities) outlooks along with Google WxNext
AI model which suggest the risk for severe weather during the
Thursday July 2nd to Saturday July 4th timeframe. Something
we`ll continue to monitor in subsequent forecast shifts given
all the ongoing outdoor activities across the region.

Historically, near record summer heat often ends with
widespread strong thunderstorm activity, and latest guidance starts
to break down the heat next weekend (July 4) into early next
week.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
Mainly VFR outside of TS (chances peak 20Z-00Z). A front bisects
DC so winds at the Baltimore terminals and MRB are NE while
they remain S at IAD/DCA/CHO. Expect only slow southward
progress of this front into the evening, with heavy rain/low
VSBY possible in stronger storms.

Patchy fog appears possible overnight, and ceilings could
briefly approach IFR near daybreak. Gradual improvement back to
VFR ceilings is expected through the day Sunday. Additional
showers and thunderstorms may develop Sunday afternoon. Patchy
fog and lower ceilings may be possible once again Sunday night.
Winds will be light out of the southwest today, and then light
out of the east to northeast on Sunday.

Prevailing VFR conditions are likely Tuesday through Saturday next
week. Light southerly winds Tuesday will become southwesterly mid to
late week. Spotty thunderstorms may pop up west of MRB Tuesday
through Thursday with t-storm development working into the corridor
Thursday into the weekend pending the placement of a piece of
energy/boundaries pushing through.

&&

.MARINE...
Winds turn light out of the east to northeast through Sunday.
Showers and thunderstorms are expected on and off over the
course of the weekend, with Special Marine Warnings possible
especially during the late afternoon and evening hours. Light
winds persist Monday with minimal rain/storm chances.

Winds will become more southerly Tuesday before turning
southwesterly mid to late week. SCA conditions will be tied to
channeling mainly over the Chesapeake Bay Tuesday afternoon and
evening and again Wednesday afternoon and evening. This is
especially true over the middle and open waters where brief SCA
conditions are possible during this time. Sub-SCA conditions
return Thursday into the weekend although shower and
thunderstorm activity may pick up in the diurnal heating
periods due to excessive heat and humidity.

&&

.CLIMATE...
There is a significant heat risk next week. The numbers below
aren`t a forecast, but rather a reference for historical context
for comparison. Latest forecast: weather.gov/lwx.

==================================================================
                    *** ALL-TIME RECORD HIGHS ***
==================================================================
Baltimore                 107 (set on Jul 10, 1936)
Washington                106 (set on Jul 20, 1930 + Aug 06, 1918)
Sterling-Dulles Airport   105 (set on Jul 22, 2011)
Baltimore Downtown        108 (set on Jul 07, 2012 + Jul 22, 2011)
Annapolis                 106 (set on Aug 06, 1918)
Hagerstown                105 (set on Jul 14, 1954)
Martinsburg               112 (set on Jul 11, 1936)
Charlottesville           107 (set on Sep 07, 1954 + 3 other times)

==================================================================
                  *** ALL-TIME RECORD WARM LOWS ***
==================================================================
Baltimore                  83 (set on Aug 05, 1930 + 2 other times)
Washington                 84 (set on Jul 24, 2011 + 2 other times)
Sterling-Dulles Airport    79 (set on Aug 08, 2007)
Baltimore Downtown         88 (set on Jul 02, 2011 and Jul 10, 1993)
Annapolis                  92 (set on Jul 07, 1994)
Hagerstown                 86 (set on Jun 15, 1899)
Martinsburg                86 (set on Jul 21, 1930)
Charlottesville            85 (set on Aug 07, 1918)

==================================================================
                  *** JULY MONTHLY RECORD HIGHS ***
==================================================================
Baltimore                 107 (set on Jul 10, 1936)
Washington                106 (set on Jul 20, 1930)
Sterling-Dulles Airport   105 (set on Jul 22, 2011)
Baltimore Downtown        108 (set on Jul 07, 2012 + Jul 22, 2011)
Annapolis                 105 (set on Jul 21, 1930 + Jul 02, 1901)
Hagerstown                105 (set on Jul 14, 1954)
Martinsburg               112 (set on Jul 11, 1936)
Charlottesville           107 (set on Jul 10, 1936 + Jul 20, 1930)

==================================================================
                 *** JULY MONTHLY RECORD WARM LOWS ***
==================================================================
Baltimore                  83 (set on Jul 21, 1930)
Washington                 84 (set on Jul 24, 2011 + 2 other times)
Sterling-Dulles Airport    78 (set on Jul 24, 2010 + Jul 08, 2010)
Baltimore Downtown         88 (set on Jul 22, 2011 + Jul 10, 1993)
Annapolis                  92 (set on Jul 07, 1994)
Hagerstown                 83 (set on Jul 24, 2010)
Martinsburg                86 (set on Jul 21, 1930)
Charlottesville            84 (set on Jul 22, 1930)

==================================================================
               *** DAILY RECORD HIGHS | WARM LOWS ***
                          VALID: Jul 01
==================================================================
Baltimore                103 (1901)        |   80 (1933 + 1901)
Washington               102 (1901)        |   79 (1977)
Sterling-Dulles Airport   96 (2012)        |   72 (2017 + 3)
Baltimore Downtown       101 (2012)        |   82 (2012)
Annapolis                103 (1901)        |   79 (1945 + 1901)
Hagerstown               100 (1901)        |   74 (2017 + 1977)
Martinsburg              102 (1933)        |   74 (1933)
Charlottesville          101 (2012 + 1945) |   78 (1901)

==================================================================
               *** DAILY RECORD HIGHS | WARM LOWS ***
                          VALID: Jul 02
==================================================================
Baltimore                103 (1901)        |   80 (1901)
Washington               101 (1898)        |   79 (2012 + 1872)
Sterling-Dulles Airport   98 (1966)        |   75 (2022)
Baltimore Downtown       102 (1966)        |   84 (2002)
Annapolis                105 (1901)        |   80 (1901)
Hagerstown               100 (1966)        |   74 (2018 + 1901)
Martinsburg              102 (1933 + 1931) |   75 (1933 + 1901)
Charlottesville          100 (1954)        |   76 (1910)

==================================================================
               *** DAILY RECORD HIGHS | WARM LOWS ***
                          VALID: Jul 03
==================================================================
Baltimore                104 (1898)        |   80 (1898)
Washington               101 (1966 + 2)    |   80 (2018)
Sterling-Dulles Airport  103 (1966)        |   73 (2018 + 2)
Baltimore Downtown       102 (1997)        |   82 (2018 + 1983)
Annapolis                100 (1901)        |   84 (1896)
Hagerstown               102 (1966)        |   76 (2002)
Martinsburg              102 (1941 + 1911) |   74 (1980)
Charlottesville          100 (1966 + 1954) |   79 (1911)

     Period of Record (POR) context...
Area (obs site)              Records since
------------------------------------------------------------------
Baltimore (BWI)                     Jan 1872
Washington (DCA)                    Jul 1872
Sterling-Dulles Airport (IAD)       Jan 1960
Baltimore Downtown (DMH)            Jul 1950
Annapolis (NAK)                     Jan 1894
Hagerstown (HGR)                    Jan 1899
Martinsburg (MRB)                   Jan 1891
Charlottesville (CHO)               Jan 1893

&&

.LWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
DC...None.
MD...None.
VA...None.
WV...None.
MARINE...None.

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...DHOF/KJP/EST
AVIATION...DHOF/KJP/EST
MARINE...DHOF/KJP/EST
CLIMATE...DHOF