Severe Storms, Hail and Tornado Risk Loom Over DC Region Thursday

Central and northeastern Maryland could see the brunt of the storms, with pockets of heavy rainfall. Rudin said an isolated spin-up cannot be ruled out, especially farther north and northeast, a week after a confirmed tornado in Queen Anne's County. The severe threat should begin winding down after about 9 or 10 p.m. The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for D.C.; 14 counties in Maryland, including Montgomery, Prince George's, Howard and Anne Arundel; and 24 counties in Virginia, including Arlington, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, Culpeper and Fairfax counties, as well as the independent Northern Virginia cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas and Manassas Park.

The watch is set to end at 10 p.m. More showers and thunderstorms are in Friday's afternoon and evening forecast as a cold front moves through the region, but the risk of severe weather is considerably lower. Over the weekend, the weather is expected to be sunnier and drier, with temperatures in the mid-80s, but both temperatures and humidity could climb again beginning Monday. Thursday evening: Areas of rain and storms, temperatures in the 70s to 80s, south winds 5-10 mph. Thursday night: Rain and storms ending with patchy fog, lows between 65 and 70. Friday: Partly cloudy with stray storms, highs between 83 and 88.

• SaturdayPartly sunny with highs near 85
• SundayPartly cloudy with highs between 85 and 90