A line of thunderstorms produced scattered damaging wind gusts mainly south of US-50 and east of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS LWX wrote it up.
A line of thunderstorms produced scattered damaging wind gusts mainly south of US-50 and east of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Baltimore/Washington wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jun 26, 1:33 PM EST, 2 hours 54 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
233 PM EDT Fri Jun 26 2026
.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Added a Climate section to provide historical context for
significant heat next week. Rain chances have increased for
Sunday. Major heat is expected next week.
&&
.KEY MESSAGES...
- (1) A weak frontal boundary will linger across the region
through Sunday, delivering waves of showers and
thunderstorms.
- (2) Excessive heat and humidity 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.
As of 18Z/2PM EDT, showers and thunderstorms were initiating
along a surface trough/differential heating boundary ahead of a
weak wave aloft near and just west of I-81 from near Strasburg
to Staunton VA. This area is likely to expand thanks to the
above forcing mechanisms as well as low-level moisture advection
up over top of the surface trough. Steepening low-level lapse
rates across northern VA into central/southern MD (including the
DC and Baltimore metros) coupled with modest mid-level flow
should allow for some weak clustering/organization, with 45 to
60 mph gusts possible in the strongest activity through 8PM.
A brief lull in activity is possible early to mid evening in the
wake of these initial showers and storms.
As a weak synoptic cold front approach from the OH Valley and
lower Great Lakes tonight, it will replace the surface trough
and stall overhead. Continued moist advection atop this front is
likely to result in numerous showers and a few thunderstorms
much of the night. Given increasing PWATs (1.75-2.00") and storm
motions parallel to the front, there is a chance for some heavy
rainfall amounts should storms form and train. HREF/REFS max QPF
shows potential for isolated amounts of 1-3 inches, which should
not result in flooding in most cases given ongoing drought. One
exception would be over urban/hydrophobic areas, so that will
need to be closely monitored as waves of rain cross late tonight
through Saturday morning.
Additional activity likely forms along the front Saturday
afternoon into evening after a brief lull. The exact placement
and timing remains a bit uncertain, but the general theme is for
it to be a bit further south than tonight/Saturday morning.
Slightly cooler and drier air will try to work in from the
northeast by Sunday. Recent guidance is more humid and also
slower with the frontal progression. This places areas west of
I-95 in a zone of potential slow-moving storms with heavy
downpours. Depending on how much rain falls out that way the
next couple of days, there could potentially be some flood
issues. Confidence is low since guidance is in flux, but Sunday
no longer looks like a "mainly dry" day for most of the area.
KEY MESSAGE 2...Excessive heat and humidity next week heading
into the Independence Day holiday.
Looking at a prolonged significant heat risk across the entire
region Tuesday through the Independence Day holiday/weekend.
Strong/broad subtropical high pressure and a building upper-level
ridge will allow temperatures and humidity values to climb
toward record levels by the middle and end of 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 Friday will be the peak of the heat with
highs for most in the upper 90s and lower 100s. Heat indices
each afternoon with run between 102-107 degrees with a few
readings around 110 along the immediate I-95 metro corridor and
down across the VA Piedmont region. Minimal relief is expected
across the mountains with highs in the mid 80s to 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. More at weather.gov/lwx/heat.
Even with that said, there still remains some spread in temperature
data mid to late next week. Some of this is due top the
placement and positioning of the ridge along with any t-storm
chances that may develop late next week.
Right now, any convection looks to be tied to the mountains
Wednesday and Thursday due in part to the terrain influence. 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 both the CSU/CIPS
outlooks along with Google WxNext AI model which suggest the risk
for severe weather during the Friday July 3rd and Saturday July 4
timeframe. Something we'll continue to monitor in subsequent
forecast shifts. 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).
&&
.AVIATION /18Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Convection had ignited along an axis from just was of FRR to VBW
as of 18Z. This will expand a bit and head east-northeast
through roughly 23Z. The stronger storms may contain gusts
around 40 kts along with reduced vsby in +RA and lightning. IFR
reductions are likely to be brief (15 mins or so).
After a brief lull, rain showers likely become more numerous
after 03Z this evening due to overrunning atop an approaching
cold front. A few thunderstorms are possible, but coverage seems
a bit low to include in the TAF just yet. Will likely need AMDs
for iso TS overnight into early Sat AM. CIGs lower through Sat
AM as well. GLAMP25/NAMNest indicate some IFR CIGs or even
patchy dense fog. Conditions gradually improve through Sat PM,
though additional convection is likely mainly near and SW of the
metros as the front slowly sags south. Additional TS are possible
Sunday, mainly near MRB/CHO (west of metros for now).
Prevailing VFR conditions are likely Monday through Thursday
next week. Light easterly winds will become southerly Tuesday
and Wednesday before turning southwesterly late week.
&&
.MARINE...
Showers and thunderstorms developing over I-81 as of 2PM will
progress east across the waters between 5-8PM. Special Marine
Warnings may be needed as storms move toward the waters. Light
and variable winds are expected over the waters on Saturday as a
frontal boundary stalls across the area. A few storms can't be
ruled out on Saturday as well. Light northeasterly winds are
forecast over the waters for Sunday.
Sub-SCA level east to southeast flow is expected Monday as high
pressure builds in the region. Winds will become more southerly
Tuesday before turning southwesterly mid to late weekend. 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.
&&
.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...ADS/DHOF/KJP/EST
AVIATION...ADS/DHOF/KJP/EST
MARINE...ADS/DHOF/KJP/EST
CLIMATE...DHOFHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC 413 PM EDT Fri Jun 26 2026 ANZ530>543-DCZ001-MDZ008-011-013-014-016>018-504-506-508- VAZ053>057-527-272015- Chesapeake Bay north of Pooles Island MD- Chesapeake Bay from Pooles Island to Sandy Point MD- Chesapeake Bay from Sandy Point to North Beach MD- Chesapeake Bay from North Beach to Drum Point MD- Chesapeake Bay from Drum Point MD to Smith Point VA- Tidal Potomac from Key Bridge to Indian Head MD- Tidal Potomac from Indian Head to Cobb Island MD- Tidal Potomac from Cobb Island MD to Smith Point VA- Patapsco River including Baltimore Harbor- Chester River to Queenstown MD-Eastern Bay- Choptank River to Cambridge MD and the Little Choptank River- Patuxent River to Broomes Island MD- Tangier Sound and the inland waters surrounding Bloodsworth Island-District of Columbia-Cecil-Southern Baltimore- Prince Georges-Anne Arundel-Charles-St. Marys-Calvert- Central and Southeast Montgomery-Central and Southeast Howard- Southeast Harford-Fairfax-Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria- Stafford-Spotsylvania-King George- Central and Southeast Prince William/Manassas/Manassas Park- 413 PM EDT Fri Jun 26 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay, Tidal Potomac River, and I-95 corridor through central Maryland, northern Virginia, and District of Columbia. .DAY ONE...Tonight Scattered thunderstorms this evening. A few of these storms may produce locally damaging wind gusts through 8 PM this evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday An isolated severe thunderstorm or two is possible from near Fredericksburg to southern Maryland Saturday afternoon. There is a significant heat risk the second half of next week. Air temperatures of 95 to 100 combined increasing humidity may result in heat index values of 105 to 110 each afternoon Wednesday through next Friday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time, but any reports of wind damage or rainfall measurements would be appreciated. MDZ003>006-503-505-507-VAZ025>031-036>040-050-051-501-502-505>508- 526-WVZ050>053-055-272015- Washington-Frederick-Carroll-Northern Baltimore- Northwest Montgomery-Northwest Howard-Northwest Harford-Augusta- Rockingham-Shenandoah-Page-Warren-Clarke-Nelson-Albemarle-Greene- Madison-Rappahannock-Orange-Culpeper-Northern Fauquier- Southern Fauquier-Western Loudoun-Eastern Loudoun- Northern Virginia Blue Ridge-Central Virginia Blue Ridge- Northwest Prince William-Hampshire-Morgan-Berkeley-Jefferson- Hardy- 413 PM EDT Fri Jun 26 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of eastern West Virginia, northern and central Virginia, and central and western Maryland. .DAY ONE...Tonight Scattered thunderstorms this evening. A few of these storms may produce locally damaging wind gusts through 7 PM this evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday A few severe thunderstorms are possible across the central Shenandoah Valley to the central Virginia piedmont Saturday afternoon. Damaging wind gusts are the primary threat. There is a significant heat risk the second half of next week. Air temperatures of 95 to 100 combined increasing humidity may result in heat index values of 100 to 110 each afternoon Wednesday through next Friday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time, but any reports of wind damage or rainfall measurements would be appreciated. MDZ501-502-509-510-VAZ503-504-WVZ501>506-272015- Extreme Western Allegany-Central and Eastern Allegany- Western Garrett-Eastern Garrett-Western Highland-Eastern Highland- Western Grant-Eastern Grant-Western Mineral-Eastern Mineral- Western Pendleton-Eastern Pendleton- 413 PM EDT Fri Jun 26 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the Allegheny Front counties in western Maryland, eastern West Virginia, and Highland County Virginia. .DAY ONE...Tonight An isolated severe thunderstorm or two early this evening, producing damaging wind gusts the primary threat. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday An isolated thunderstorm or two is possible mainly south of Franklin Saturday afternoon. Damaging wind gusts are the primary threat. There is a significant heat risk the second half of next week. Air temperatures in the 90s combined increasing humidity may result in heat index values of 100 to 105 each afternoon Wednesday through next Friday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time, but any reports of wind damage or rainfall measurements would be appreciated.
The Sterling radar (KLWX), 86 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:27 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree blew down near the intersection of Cleve Drive and Port Conway Road.
A tree blew down near the intersection of Osprey Road and Mathias Point Road.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Virginia in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Virginia, June 2026
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1336171, 1336172.