DC-area air quality improves after storms, but wildfire smoke could return

Air quality improved to the good-to-moderate range across the D.C. region Sunday, after thunderstorms swept away much of the wildfire smoke that lingered across the area in recent days.

Shifting winds could allow smoke from Canadian wildfires to return to the D.C. area later in the day. said people unusually sensitive to particle pollution should consider reducing their activity level or limiting the amount of time they spend outside.

The improved air quality follows severe thunderstorms that swept through the region Saturday, leaving behind damage and power outages.

More than 27,000 customers lost power during the height of the storms Saturday evening, including more than 20,000 in Anne Arundel County, according to Baltimore Gas and Electric.

By Sunday afternoon, thousands remain affected. The latest figures released by BGE show over 5,600 customers remained without electricity.

Lingering shower and thunderstorm chances will be limited to central Virginia Sunday, eventually returning to the D.C. area late Monday, according to the National Weather Service. Severe thunderstorms and locally heavy rainfall are possible Tuesday.

While the severe weather threat appears low, some storms could produce gusty winds and frequent lightning.

Another chance for showers and thunderstorms arrives Wednesday, as a weak cold front moves through the D.C. region. Northwest winds could gust up to 25 mph behind the front.

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Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Mostly Clear
Lows: 63-68
Winds: Calm
Skies continue to remain clear with seasonably cool temperatures.

MONDAY: Mostly Sunny
Highs: 85-90
Winds: Southeast 5-10 mph
The start of the work week will be nice and pleasant with another day of seasonable temperatures and mostly sunny skies. Clouds look to increase toward sunset that could bring a stray shower or two to the area overnight.

TUESDAY: WEATHER ALERT
Chance for Strong Storms
Highs: 87-92
Winds: South 5-15 mph
A strong cold front will bring a chance for scattered strong storms throughout much of the day into the overnight hours. Damaging winds will be the primary threat, but localized flash flooding will also be possible where some of the stronger storms develop. The Storm Prediction Center has most of the area under a Slight (2 out of 5) Risk for strong to severe storms.

WEDNESDAY: Chance for Storms, Breezy
Highs: 82-87
Winds: Northwest 5-15; Gusts: 20-25 mph
Lingering chances for showers and storms with the passing of a weak cold front. The severe storm threat will still be nearby but mostly include areas south and east of the DC metro into Southern Maryland and the Northern Neck of Virginia. Winds behind the front could gust up to about 25 mph out of the northwest.

THURSDAY: Sunny
Highs: 78-83
Winds: North 5-10 mph
Sunny and pleasant weather behind Wednesday’s strong cold front. Sunshine will be abundant and temperatures will be nearly 10 degrees cooler than the average of 90 for this time of year.

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