The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch until 9 p.m. for most of the D.C. area.
Scattered storms are expected to develop as a cold front pushes east and clashes with record-setting heat. The most likely timing for storms is between 4 and 8 p.m.
The storms may not be particularly widespread, especially from the Beltway northward, where some drier air has arrived and winds are coming in from the northwest. Storms will probably be more numerous toward Virginia's Northern Neck and Southern Maryland and to the south and east.
The watch does not include northern Maryland, from Carroll County westward, as only isolated storms are expected there.
A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for parts of District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia until 9 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/YaQepuSemE
— NWS Severe Tstorm (@NWSSevereTstorm) June 12, 2026
Any storms that develop could producing damaging winds gust in addition to heavy rain and lightning.
"Clusters of storms will form in Virginia and Maryland this afternoon, and will spread eastward from West Virginia," the Weather Service writes. "The storm environment will favor damaging downbursts with winds up to 60-70 mph."
Remember that a severe thunderstorm watch means conditions are conducive to severe storms but not a guarantee. Stay alert. Then, if a severe thunderstorm warning is issued for your location, it means an intense storm is imminent and you should seek shelter. When thunder roars, go indoors.
