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Storms bring hail, strong winds to DC region

By Jessica Kronzer

An incoming cold front is ushering in April showers — and isolated storms — Wednesday in the D.C. region.

Scattered thunderstorms and showers swept through parts of the D.C. region Wednesday evening, bringing strong winds and hail.

The storms triggered several severe thunderstorm warnings from the National Weather Service in Northern Virginia and Maryland. The weather serviced warned of 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-sized hail.

The risk for severe weather should wrap up by 8:30 p.m., according to WTOP Meteorologist Mike Stinneford.

The storms followed near record-breaking heat Wednesday, with temperatures forecast in the upper 70s to middle 80s. Record highs of 88 at Reagan National Airport and 85 at Dulles International Airport were set on April 1, 1978.

Temperatures are expected to drop into the 60s Wednesday night.

Looking ahead, the cold front is expected to stall near or over the D.C. area Thursday and a few showers or storms could develop.

“There could be some patchy fog too, with a light east to northeasterly wind in the morning,” 7News First Alert Meteorologist Veronica Johnson said. “Temperature will be about 54 to 63 degrees, then a wide range of high temperatures for Thursday afternoon.”

Depending on where you live, temperatures could be widely different Thursday afternoon. Johnson said temperatures will be in the 50s in Maryland’s northernmost counties, close to 70 degrees in D.C. and in the lower 80s for areas south of I-66.

Full forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Rain and storms likely. Then cloudy, patchy fog
Lows: 60s
Winds: Northeast 5 mph

THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy with patchy morning fog and isolated showers and storms later
Highs: 60s
Winds: East 5-15 mph

FRIDAY: Partly to mostly sunny
Highs: 78-83
Winds: Southwest 5-15 mph

SATURDAY: Mostly sunny
Highs: 83-88
Winds: Southwest 10-20 mph

SUNDAY: Showers and thunderstorms
Highs: Lower 70s
Winds: Southwest 10-20 mph

Current conditions

Power outages

Nature puts heat on blast as scorching temperatures take aim at eastern US

By The Associated Press
SEASIDE PARK, N.J. (AP) — A long-lasting weather pattern is poised to blast hot air like a furnace across the eastern United States, with the unusual heat wave threatening to shatter record high temperatures Wednesday in big cities including New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. In the nation's capital, forecasters were calling for a high temperature of 93 degrees (33.9 Celsius) late Wednesday afternoon and another high of 93 on Thursday. The heat is unusual for April, not only because it is scorching much of the nation so early in the year but also for its expected duration. The near-record temperatures are expected to last into this weekend, forecasters say. On the Jersey Shore, hundreds of people took advantage of the gorgeous spring day Wednesday to stroll along boardwalks. Temperatures soared into the 80s in some inland areas, but was about 15 degrees cooler along the water, as a slight breeze blew.
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