An "atmospheric traffic jam" will bring days of rain and thunderstorms to Virginia, the latest forecast says. Large hail is possible Monday.
Updated Mon, May 5, 2025 at 12:27 pm ET
VIRGINIA — An "atmospheric traffic jam" will bring several days of clouds, rain and thunderstorms to Northern Virginia and D.C. this week, with large hail and damaging wind gusts possible Monday in the first round of storms, according to the latest forecast.
AccuWeather forecasters say that a storm is moving slowly and stalling across the United States, which will cause rounds of rain and thunderstorms in Virginia.
Monday started with showers and thunderstorms, with a few severe storms possible in the afternoon and evening, the National Weather Service said.
"The storm is expected to create a plume of moisture that extends across the mid-Atlantic region and into eastern New York and southern New England this week," AccuWeather said. "Such a setup can release many inches of rain over the course of several days. A broad area where 2-4 inches of rain will exist through the middle of this week," including the Baltimore and Washington, D.C., regions.
A hazardous weather outlook has been issued for the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay, tidal Potomac River, and I-95 corridor through central Maryland, northern Virginia, and District of Columbia.
Find out what's happening in McLeanfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected Monday afternoon and evening, with the strongest thunderstorms likely between 2 and 10 p.m., during which time stormscould produce large hail or damaging wind gusts.
High pressure will give residents a break with drier conditions and seasonable temperatures on Wednesday.
The rainy pattern continues Thursday night and Friday, but things should dry out for the weekend, forecasters say.
Here's the latest Northern Virginia forecast from the National Weather Service:
Monday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 4pm, then scattered showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. Southeast wind 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Monday Night: Showers and thunderstorms before 2am, then isolated showers between 2am and 3am. Patchy fog after 10pm. Low around 61. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tuesday: A chance of showers before 11am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11am and 2pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 75. South wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 11pm, then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Light northwest wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. West wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 57.
Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 73. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Friday: A chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Friday Night: A chance of showers before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.