Updated forecast: Earlier storms depart as a cold front sets up a superb Saturday

Don’t let the return of sunshine entirely fool you, a cold front is still headed this way from the west. Anyone out and about will notice the humidity the next few hours. We need that to come through before real relief.

The front should pass sometime in the late evening timeframe — by about 10 p.m. or so locally. Until then it’s not impossible a shower or a rumble passes quickly. Less intense and widespread than earlier, if so.

Several reports of flooding have come in from northeast and southeast D.C. Up to three inches fell in some spots over the course of two hours. Similar flooding is possible over parts of southern Md., where several rounds of storms occurred.

That passing front will help clear some humidity for a pleasant overnight. It also opens the door to a beautiful Saturday with highs in the mid-80s.

5:50 p.m. update — Storms heading into southern Maryland.

Another severe thunderstorm warning is ongoing over southeast suburbs until 6:15 p.m. Damaging winds remain the primary threat outside heavy rain and lightning. Some gusts to around 40 or 45 mph have been recorded, but thus far no damage reports have come in.

Elsewhere, the rain risk is ending as storms move south and east. Although a shower is possible through sunset, most spots stay dry from here.

4:57 p.m. update — Storms moving east/southeast of D.C., some flooding remains.

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for our eastern suburbs and then toward the bay, including Annapolis. This warning runs until 5:45 p.m., and is focused on the potential for damaging wind.

Although storms are moving south and east of the immediate area, as much as 1 to 2 inches has fallen, leading to some small stream and urban flooding. The District and surrounds, mainly south, are under a flood warning until 8 p.m. Remember to turn around rather than driving through high water.

From 3:00 p.m...

Although Tropical Storm Elsa was long gone by morning, it didn’t take the humidity with it. That’s helped set the stage for some afternoon-into-evening showers or storms across the area. A cold front is moving through, which gives us a winner of a Saturday. We’ve just got to get through the next few hours first.

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Through Tonight: Showers and storms continue to develop locally and shift east/southeast. The best odds for severe weather are mainly south and east of the city, with damaging wind the main threat there. About a half-inch to an inch may fall in the heavier storms, but most spots see less than that. Storms are mostly out of here by early evening, although a shower or rumble remains possible through about sunset. After that, clearing. Temperatures dip to the mid-60s and around 70 for lows.

View the current weather at The Washington Post.

Tomorrow (Saturday): This is definitely the pick of the weekend in my mind. Skies are mostly sunny, humidity is on the lower side of moderate, and temperatures are pleasant. Not bad for July! Highs are in the mid-80s. Winds are from the northwest around 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday: Our respite from peak summer was a short one. Higher humidity is back, and the slight chance of late-day storms returns. Temperatures are mainly in the mid- and upper 80s for highs as winds blow from the south around 10 mph.

See Camden Walker’s forecast through the beginning of next week. And if you haven’t already, join us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For related traffic news, check out Gridlock.

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