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Articles by Jeff Halverson
How Thursday night’s DC storms became so violent — and produced nonstop lightning
After a summer marked by drought and relatively tame weather, the storms that slammed the Beltway just before midnight Thursday marked a jarring change. They were arguably the storms of the summer and, for some residents, the fiercest since the June 2012 derecho — which remains the benchmark for destructive thunderstorms in the DC area.
How Thursday night’s DC storms became so violent — and produced nonstop lightning
Fierce storms blasted DC with damaging winds, torrential rain, and extraordinary lightning, fueled by extreme atmospheric instability. By Jason Samenow and Jeff Halverson Storm damage in DC from Thursday night at Maryland Ave. and 8th St. NE.
'On par' with 2012 derecho, extreme storm rocks northwest DC
Amid blinding curtains of rain and crashing trees, Ari Neugeboren couldn't believe the intensity of the tempest sweeping through northwest DC on Tuesday evening. He estimated wind gusts of around 80 mph in his Van Ness neighborhood. "This is most certainly my most extreme DC weather moment in memory — with the derecho [of June 29, 2012] being hazier, but this certainly on par with it," he said in an email.
Scattered storms this afternoon and evening could be intense
A warm front is surging north through the area, increasing heat and humidity and setting the stage for scattered strong to severe storms this afternoon and evening. The most probable timing for storms is between 2 and 7 p.m., from west to east. In the Beltway area, they're most likely between 3 and 6 p.m. The increasingly steamy air will provide fuel for storms while a disturbance in the high-altitude flow acts as a possible trigger.
Snowstorm socks some, spares others in D.C. area. Here’s what happened.
Snowstorm socks some, spares others in D.C. area. Here’s what happened. (washingtonpost.com) Snowstorm socks some, spares others in D.C. area. Here’s what happened. By Jason Samenow; Jeff Halverson; Ian Livingston 2026022315240200 A blockbuster East Coast storm brushed the D.C. area Sunday into early Monday, dumping heavy, wet snow in some neighborhoods while leaving others with little more than slush. Gusty winds toppled branches and cut power to thousands.
Why the winter storm in D.C. on Sunday was so exceptional
Why the winter storm in D.C. on Sunday was so exceptional (washingtonpost.com) Why the winter storm in D.C. on Sunday was so exceptional The storm was remarkable not simply because of how much precipitation fell but also because of what fell and how cold it was.
Umbrella shredded, canoe flipped: The Potomac wind gust no one saw coming
Umbrella shredded, canoe flipped: The Potomac wind gust no one saw coming (washingtonpost.com) Umbrella shredded, canoe flipped: The Potomac wind gust no one saw coming By Jeff Halverson 2025080813422700 Out of nowhere, a violent gust tore through the Washington Canoe Club in Georgetown — shredding an anchored umbrella, hurling Adirondack chairs into the Potomac and flipping a canoe. Moments earlier, it had been a perfect Sunday in the low 80s with sunshine and gentle breezes.
Northern D.C. area hit by flash floods. Here’s why it happened.
Northern D.C. area hit by flash floods. Here’s why it happened. (washingtonpost.com) Northern D.C. area hit by flash floods. Here’s why it happened. By Jeff Halverson; Jason Samenow 2025072010001200 Several parts of the northern half of the Washington area were overwhelmed by flash flooding late Saturday afternoon and evening because of intense, slow-moving thunderstorms. Silver Spring, Maryland, and Great Falls, Virginia, were the hardest hit after 5 to 51/2 inches fell in less than two hours.
26,000 strikes! Why there was so much lightning Wednesday night in D.C. area.
26,000 strikes! Why there was so much lightning Wednesday night in D.C. area. (washingtonpost.com) 26,000 strikes! Why there was so much lightning Wednesday night in D.C. area. By Jeff Halverson; Jason Samenow; Kevin Ambrose 2025071716130900 Fueled by excessive amounts of humidity, intense thunderstorms rolled through the Washington region Wednesday evening, putting on a dazzling display of lightning. Intracloud and cloud-to-ground strikes lit up the sky.
It’s not your imagination: It’s been unusually windy in D.C. this year.
A parade of wind storms has battered the Washington region since February — howling gusts repeatedly toppling trees and cutting power to thousands. Although late winter and early spring are typically the windiest timesof year, the frequency of strong gusts this year has been outside the norm. A cold front that swept through the area Thursday evening delivered yet another siege of powerful gustsas Friday began. The frequency of high winds is probably tied to the La Niña climate pattern.
Analysis | How much snow fell Tuesday night and why so much fell south of D.C.
The second significant winter storm of the season, and the second biggest, swept through the D.C. area Tuesday afternoon and night, unleashing moderate to heavy snowfall. The well-predicted storm caused . But early dismissals and closings at schools and government offices averted the mass gridlock sometimes seen when the onset of snow coincides with the afternoon commute.
Golf ball-size hail rocks D.C.’s western suburbs during intense storm outbreak
Hail that fell in Sterling, Va., late Thursday afternoon. (Diana Tabish) By Jeff Halverson and Jason Samenow August 30, 2024 at 10:08 a.m. EDT Intense thunderstorms blasted D.C.'s western suburbs late Thursday afternoon and evening, unleashing large hail, damaging gusts and areas of flooding. The large hail was the most unusual aspect of the storm outbreak, with multiple reports of stones the size of golf balls around Sterling, Va., and in parts of western Montgomery County.
Debby could produce several inches of rain, tornadoes in D.C. area. What to know.
(Ian Livingston) By Ian Livingston and Jeff Halverson August 8, 2024 at 12:28 p.m. EDT Debby made a second landfall overnight in South Carolina on its way toward a rendezvous with the D.C. area Thursday into Friday. About 1.5 to 3 inches of rain is forecast locally, with up to 5 to 10 inches on the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge and Appalachian mountains. This comes on top of many locations picking up half an inch to 2 inches or so since Wednesday.
Debby to bring heavy rain and tornado risk to D.C. area Friday
(Ian Livingston) By Ian Livingston and Jeff Halverson August 7, 2024 at 12:37 p.m. EDT Tropical Storm Debby — which has drenched areas from Florida to southeast North Carolina — is readying for its final act. Its remnants are poised to sweep through the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast between Thursday and Saturday morning, bringing potential for considerable flooding. As it comes through the D.C. area on Friday, it could produce multiple weather hazards.
What will Debby mean for D.C. area weather?
Rainfall forecast from Debby and associated moisture. (Ian Livingston) By Ian Livingston and Jeff Halverson August 6, 2024 at 12:33 p.m. EDT This hot and dry summer in the D.C. area is about to be broadsided with a big bout of rain. A cold front moving into the area Tuesday and Wednesday will meet moisture from Tropical Storm Debby to deliver substantial rainfall coming in multiple waves.
Why our meteorologists love the new ‘Twisters’ movie Original
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Por qué a nuestros meteorólogos les encanta la nueva película ‘Twisters’
Es uno de los eventos meteorológicos más esperados de este año: una película de ficción sobre tornados. Cuando se estrenó el tráiler de “Twisters”, la secuela del éxito de taquilla de 1996 “Twister”, los meteorólogos y cazadores de tormentas se pusieron radiantes, aunque algunos expresaron algunas dudas sobre si sería exacto. Si bien no es una representación perfecta de la realidad, es probable que “Twisters” haga felices a los fanáticos del clima y a la mayoría de los cinéfilos.
Why our meteorologists love the new ‘Twisters’ movie
Storm chasers Tyler and Kate (Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones) compete for screen time with literal forces of nature in “Twisters.” Courtesy of Universal Pictures Note: This article contains spoilers for the movie “Twisters.” — — - It’s one of the most anticipated weather events of this year — a fictional movie about tornadoes.
Perspective | Why our meteorologists love the new ‘Twisters’ movie
This article contains spoilers for the movie “Twisters." It’s one of the most anticipated weather events of this year — a fictional movie about tornadoes. When the trailer was released for Twisters, the follow-up to the 1996 blockbuster Twister, meteorologists and storm chasers beamed — even as some expressed some concerns about whether it would be accurate. While it’s not a perfect representation of reality, “Twisters” is likely going to make weather nerds and most movie-goers pretty happy.
Historic heat wave in D.C. area could end with severe storms, flooding
The D.C. area is in the final throes of one of its worst heat waves on record, and it could go out with a bang, as strong thunderstorms threaten Wednesday afternoon and evening. A cold front heading east is on a collision course with the entrenched heat and humidity, and is poised to spawn numerous storms, some of which could become quite intense. Storms could produce downpours, frequent lightning and some damaging wind gusts.
Severe thunderstorm watch issued for D.C. area through 10 p.m.
Radar courtesy MyRadar | © OpenStreetMap contributors * Excessive-heat warning until 8 p.m. | Severe thunderstorm watch until 10 p.m. * The combination of heat and humidity has pushed heat indexes over 105 for the third straight day in the D.C. area. The steamy air could fuel some severe thunderstorms in the region Wednesday evening.
Strong storms to cap a hot day. Damaging wind, heavy rain, hail possible. Original
Afternoon temperatures heading deep into the 90s, rising humidity and an approaching cold front are setting the table for a significant thunderstorm threat in the D.C. region late Wednesday afternoon and evening. Although severe weather is unwelcome, any rainfall associated with it is much needed. The Storm Prediction Center has placed the area under a Level 2 of 5 severe weather risk.
Here’s exactly where the Maryland tornadoes hit
The National Weather Service confirmed late Thursday that at least seven tornadoes struck Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia on Wednesday, a historically significant outbreak for the region. The five tornadoes confirmed in Maryland so far places the June 5 outbreak among the top 15 on record in a single day. As the Weather Service may well confirm additional tornadoes in the days ahead, this event could rise in the rankings.
How Wednesday’s historic Maryland tornado outbreak happened
Numerous tornadoes, some large, tore through Maryland on Wednesday evening, leaving behind a trail of destruction and several injuries. The event emerges as one of the most significant tornado outbreaks in the state in years, if not longer. Although multiple rotating thunderstorms — or supercells — produced twisters across many locations in Maryland, the one that swept across Montgomery, Howard and Baltimore counties was a particularly prolific tornado producer.
Severe storms could hit D.C. area Monday afternoon and evening
Radar courtesy MyRadar | © OpenStreetMap contributors The Memorial Day weekend could end with a bang as a strong cold front sweeps scattered thunderstorms through the Washington region this afternoon and evening. Some storms could be severe, containing damaging winds, hail and the outside possibility of a tornado. Brief heavy rain and dangerous lightning are also likely. Weather Service forecasters have placed the region in a Level 2 of 5 risk zone for severe weather.
Here’s why there was a downpour of large hail in the D.C. area on Monday
In a relatively uncommon occurrence for the region, a widespread downpour of large hail impacted parts of the District and Loudoun, Fairfax and Prince George’s counties Monday afternoon, as a severe thunderstorm storm raced east and southeast across the area. Readers captured numerous photos and videos of the hail, while three-dimensional radar imagery detailed a stunning view of the storm’s inner workings. Dozens of severe-hail reports were logged by the National Weather Service.
Severe storms, flooding possible in D.C. area Wednesday afternoon
Numerous showers and thunderstorms will continue to move through the D.C. area through Wednesday afternoon, producing downpours at times with flooding possible in some spots. During the afternoon, mainly between noon and 5 p.m., there’s a chance that some storms could turn severe. That means there is potential for damaging thunderstorm winds and tornadoes that can form rapidly with little warning time.
Analysis | D.C. area pasted by week’s second snowstorm. How it happened.
• None Days with snow cover are becoming increasingly less common around the District because of climate warming. But, due to the two storms this week, we’ll have five or six such days this week. That’s the most since January 2019 when there were six following a 10-inch snowstorm. In 2016, there were nine following the January “Snowzilla” blizzard. • None This is the first time we’ve had two plowable snowfalls in such short succession since February 2010, when there were back-t0-back blizzards.
The D.C. area is often near the rain-snow line. Here’s why.
Comment Save Here in the D.C. area, every winter, we live on the edge. That is, the narrow zone between below- and above-freezing air temperature. What side you fall on makes all the difference in weather hazards during a winter storm. It’s the bane of snow lovers and snow haters alike. Let’s explore how the rain-snow line becomes established, why it sometimes appears to behave in a capricious manner, and why it can be such a devil to forecast.
Analysis | Why storms in the D.C. area were not as violent as feared Monday
A line of intense thunderstorms downed trees and power lines in parts of the D.C. region Monday and knocked out power to thousands of customers, but it fell short of the more dramatic devastation that forecasters were concerned about. Many Washingtonians living inside the Beltway and to the east were surprised by how docile the storms seemed after all of the alarm. The National Weather Service posted a tornado watch and put the area at its highest storm risk level in a decade.
Severe storms forecast for Washington, D.C. area. What to expect.
Comment Less than 10 days after violent storms mauled portions of the area, the D.C. region faces the possibility of an even more widespread episode of severe weather this afternoon and evening. For the first time in nearly a decade, the National Weather Service has placed the region under a Level 4 of 5 risk of severe weather.
Huge cleanup, thousands without power after storms pummel Washington, DC
Abby Froehlich was babysitting Saturday evening, playing with three young children in the living room of their home in Northwest Washington, when the wind picked up. Suddenly, she saw branches flying outside and heard a huge tree crash onto the kids' playhouse in the backyard. Froehlich, 20, decided to seek shelter in the basement with the kids, terrified of the possibility of another tree falling. She frantically sent text messages to their parents, who were out at a movie theater in Bethesda.
Here’s what caused Saturday’s destructive storms in the D.C. area Original
Comment The violent storms that swept across the D.C. area Saturday afternoon and evening, that worst in more than a decade for some, were sparked by extreme heat and humidity, a strong cold front, and a vigorous disturbance high in the atmosphere. Producing winds over 80 mph, the storms toppled trees onto buildings and cars, dislodged chimneys, tore down signs, peeled off roofs and cut power to more than 200,000 customers.
Severe storms may threaten D.C. area Monday afternoon and evening
Comment on this story Comment Scattered showers and thunderstorms are a good bet this afternoon and evening across the D.C. area, some of which may be severe, producing damaging winds, frequent lightning, downpours, hail and perhaps an isolated tornado or two. Storms were already erupting along the Interstate 81 corridor, near the Virginia and West Virginia border, around 2 p.m., and will likely expand in coverage while moving east in the coming hours.
What happened to the severe storms forecast for D.C. area Monday?
Comment on this story Comment So, what happened to yesterday’s storms? That’s a question some of you were asking after they didn’t materialize in the D.C. metro area, but rather stayed well to the north and well to the south. We sometimes call this a “D.C. split.” We had some of the key ingredients in place to fuel storms including 90-degree heat, fairly high humidity, and a lot of instability in the atmosphere.
Scattered severe storms likely in D.C. region late this afternoon or evening
Comment on this story Comment A broken line of strong to severe storms is likely to sweep across D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia from west to east late this afternoon or evening. Given a slow start to the 2023 storm season, it wouldn’t take much for today to contend for our biggest storm day so far this year. But while any storms that come through could be quite powerful, they could end up hit-or-miss in parts of the area.
Scattered strong to severe storms possible in D.C. area late today
A second straight day with highs in the 80s, rather high humidity for early April, and an approaching cold front are setting the stage for a good chance of scattered storms in the D.C. area Thursday between midafternoon into evening. Some storms could produce damaging winds and large hail, especially east and southeast of Interstate 95, in addition to heavy rain and lightning. Fast, informative and written just for locals. Get The 7 DMV newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning.
The Buffalo storm exploded into a meteorological bomb. Here's why. Original
Just a few days have passed since the historic late-December blizzard rocked Buffalo to its bone-chilled core. More than four feet of snow fell in western New York, accompanied by wind gusts peaking in the 75 to 80 mph range and blizzard conditions that prevailed for up to 37 straight hours. So far, more than 30 lives have been lost and emergency managers fear thatmore victims will be discovered.
Flood watch: Heavy storms probable in D.C. area this afternoon and evening
Placeholder while article actions load Since August began, the Washington region has felt like a steam bath, culminating in Tuesday’s oppressive high of 97 degrees. But our 10-day run of sweaty weather is about to end. Seldom does the air mass change from hot and muggy to dry and comfortable without thunderstorms. And numerous storms are expected this afternoon and early evening; some could be quite heavy.
Possible severe storms to rumble through D.C. area this afternoon
Placeholder while article actions load Muggy air spreading over the Washington area will be met by a strong cold front Monday, setting off strong to severe thunderstorms. Storms could erupt in the area between midafternoon and early evening before drier and cooler air arrives overnight. Storms will be scattered and probably be most numerous and intense near and northeast of Interstate 95.
Destructive storm slams central U.S. as tornadoes hit Minnesota, western Iowa in December for first time
Half of the Lower 48 endured a historic and dangerous weather event Wednesday as an extremely powerful storm system swept through the middle of the country unleashing damaging winds and, in some areas, tornadoes, dust storms and out-of-control fires. Winds of 70 to 100-plus miles per hour sheared off roofs, overturned vehicles, toppled trees and caused hundreds of thousands of power outages while contributing to hazardous ground and air travel.
Washington and Baltimore have seen the nation’s most severe thunderstorm warnings in 2021
Amid all of the hot air around Washington this year, warnings for severe storms have sounded more frequently here than anywhere in the nation. The nation’s capital and its surroundings have traded places with the Central and Southern U.S. as the epicenter of severe thunderstorm warnings in 2021. Weather patterns have conspired to focus unrelenting thunderstorm activity in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, while subduing it in the places where it’s most common.
Heavy rain and storms could trigger flooding, severe weather in D.C. area through Thursday
* Flash flood watch through Thursday afternoon * Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms, heavy at times, are set to move across the Washington region this evening, overnight and into early Thursday. The turbulent weather is the result of a strong cold front, crossing the area just as summer turns to fall, marking the autumn equinox. Washington’s far west and northwest suburbs, and the area to the northwest of that, are at greatest risk for flooding rain.
How torrential rain flooded parts of the District, Arlington and Fairfax County Thursday
Once again this summer, parts of the District and its western suburbs were besieged by a deluge of rain and dangerous flash flooding. With peak radar-indicated rain totals in the 4 to 5 inches in some spots, it was the “perfect storm” of blinding rain falling on asphalt and concrete surfaces, with inadequate runoff, during rush hour. Floodwaters engulfed roadways, sent streams surging over their banks and stranded vehicles, mostly in Arlington and Fairfax counties.
Inside the Annapolis tornado: How Ida powered this destructive storm
The high-impact “second act” of former Hurricane Ida played out across the Mid-Atlantic on Wednesday with multiple tornadoes and deadly flash flooding — including the significant twister that tore through central Anne Arundel County. Based on reports from social media and radar imagery, the storm began to form between Shady Side and Edgewater and lifted north of Annapolis. The well-documented tornado was widely captured on video and shared on social media.
Tornadoes, flooding possible in D.C. area Wednesday afternoon and evening
Comment on this story Comment A confirmed, damaging tornado swept through central Anne Arundel County between Edgewater and Annapolis, between 2 and 2:30 p.m. No injuries have been reported as of this time. (Scroll down for pictures and videos) Another tornado was reported in Charles County near Wicomico at 1:50 p.m. Widespread flash flooding was reported in Frederick County, Md., where there were at least six swift water rescues. Six to seven inches of rain fell in many areas.
Ida’s remnants will affect the D.C. area Wednesday: What you need to know
Ida, which made landfall as an extremely powerful Category 4 hurricane, has left portions of Louisiana in ruins. While it has weakened to a tropical storm, the remnants will continue to progress inland. The projected track shows the core of the decaying storm will arc toward the northeast, then east, reaching the D.C. area by late Wednesday. Rain and thunderstorms from the system could arrive as soon as overnight Tuesday.
On Saturday, a catastrophic flash flood unfolded in Tennessee. Here’s how it happened.
The torrential rainstorm in Middle Tennessee on Saturday was localized, hyper-intense and largely unexpected. Cascades of rain inundated the region of Waverly, Tenn., located about 60 miles west of Nashville. The unrelenting storminess caused at least 22 fatalities and left some 20 people missing. High rainfall rates prompted the National Weather Service at Nashville to issue a flash flood emergency — a flood alert for the most dire situations — around 9 a.m. Saturday.
Remnants of Fred will deliver a flash flood and tornado threat to the D.C. region today
Radar courtesy MyRadar | © OpenStreetMap contributors * Flash flood watch for D.C. and points westward. * As the remnants of Fred steam north-northeast through the Appalachians, a severe weather threat develops locally this afternoon and perhaps lasts into the evening. This morning, a developing line of broken showers and storms extends from west of Richmond, through Charlottesville, and up into western Maryland.
Strong to severe storms likely this afternoon into evening across the D.C. region
Radar courtesy MyRadar | © OpenStreetMap contributors * Severe thunderstorm watch until 8 p.m. * A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for the region. It runs until 8 p.m. Storms developing over the mountains to the west roll east through the area this afternoon into evening. While the environment supports a pulse-type storm event, where storms go up and then fall apart just as quick, strong instability will aid the potential for powerful downdrafts as high as 60 mph or so.
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