Flood Watch For MD As Drenching Rain Moves In

MARYLAND — The flood watch for parts of Maryland goes into effect late Friday night into Saturday afternoon and the National Weather Service expects much of the rain to fall within six hours overnight.

The flood watch will run from 2 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon and includes: the city of Baltimore, the District of Columbia, plus Cecil, Baltimore, Prince George's, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Howard and Harford counties. Other cities in the watch are: Camp Springs, Severn, Glen Burnie, Odenton, Annapolis, Columbia, Ellicott City, Suitland-Silver Hill, Arnold, Laurel, Greenbelt, Severna Park, Bowie, Gaithersburg, Bethesda, Silver Spring, Clinton, Aberdeen, College Park, and Rockville.

During that time, forecasters expect rainfall between 1.5 inches and 2.5 inches to fall within six hours overnight Friday into early Saturday before moving out Saturday afternoon. That creates a flooding risk in urban areas, poor drainage areas and smaller streams.

A gale watch is in effect for the entire Chesapeake Bay and tidal Potomac late Saturday afternoon into Sunday, the NWS said.

The Capital Weather Gang expects showers to turn into "steadier rain," Friday night. Then, rain could turn heavier overnight before the sun comes up. On Saturday morning, forecasters say rain could be heavy, particularly during the morning.

Coupled with highs in the 50s in the 40s, the soaking rain may convince area residents to stay indoors during the early weekend. Rain should taper off during late afternoon or evening. However, winds could become stronger and reach 35 mph later in the day, the Capital Weather Gang says.

While the region dries out for a couple days, rain chances return on Tuesday night and run through Thursday next week, the NWS predicts.

Here is the National Weather Service forecast for the next few days in the Baltimore-D.C. region:

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 59. Northeast wind 7 to 9 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.

Friday Night: Rain, mainly after midnight. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 48. Southeast wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday: Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 59. Breezy, with a southeast wind 7 to 12 mph becoming north 16 to 21 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Saturday Night: A chance of rain before 9pm. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 37. Windy, with a north wind 23 to 26 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 58. Breezy, with a north wind 17 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 61.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.

Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 60.

Tuesday Night: A chance of rain after 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Wednesday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Wednesday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Thursday: A chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 62. Chance of precipitation is 50%.