A major storm will erupt in the DC area on Christmas night, causing the risk of rapid flooding and dangerously high wind gusts before Santa produces an arctic air explosion.
The worst of the storm is expected from Christmas Eve sunset to sunrise on Christmas morning.
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An instant flood clock will be in effect from Thursday afternoon until late at night in much of DC and surrounding areas of Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia. Thursday will be a weather alert day, says Storm Team4. Here is a complete list of weather alerts.
Meteorologist Chuck Bell, a meteorologist on Team4, says that if possible, you should avoid traveling during this storm; only Santa should be out.
The first showers of rain will arrive before Thursday at noon, with heavier rain and stronger winds arriving at 4pm or 5pm. The maximums will reach 60 °.
At sunset on Christmas Eve, both rain and wind will increase rapidly.
Rainfall could reach 1 to 2 inches, with possible very heavy showers overnight. There is a chance of snow at the end of the storm, but no accumulation.
There is even a chance for some Christmas thunder to appear.
Gusts could reach 40-50 mph and are expected to be stronger from 8pm until the early hours of Christmas morning. This strong wind could drop branches, trees or power lines, which would pose a risk to all travelers who did not have Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer to guide them.
The combination of wind, blinding rain and flooding must be taken seriously.
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Santa will deliver arctic air, so plan on windy temperatures and cold winds on teens and in your 20s on Christmas morning. Christmas Day will be the coldest in recent years and a gust of snow or showers will be possible.
The weather will improve over the weekend. Saturday will be sunny, cold and windy, with highs just above ice cream. Sunday will be sunny and cold, with highs above 40 ° and the possibility of rain will return on Monday.
Stay tuned to Storm Team4 for the latest forecasts