Flash Flooding Risk In NoVA As Storms Bring Relief From 106 Heat Index

Storms could provide relief from the hot July weather several days this week in Northern Virginia, but a flash flooding risk is in Tuesday's forecast.

AccuWeather says scorching daytime weather will be met with showers, thunderstorms and localized severe storms between New England and the Carolinas on Tuesday. Forecasters said Northern Virginia to Maryland's Eastern Shore, southeastern New York and southwestern Connecticut has a moderate risk of severe storms "due to the greater concentration of storms capable of triggering major travel disruptions from powerful wind gusts and torrential downpours."

The remnants of Chantal hit the region following disastrous rainfall and flooding the storm caused in southern states. Heavy rainfall swamped the coast, dumping nearly a foot of rain on much of North Carolina before veering north.

The storm is massive, and another bout of severe rainfall is expected to slam the region again on Wednesday afternoon and evening, according to the National Weather Service.

"Moving forward through the middle and latter parts of this week, the main threat from the ongoing, nearly daily rounds of thunderstorms in some areas will be flash flooding, especially where it rained hard the day before, saturated the ground and pushed small stream levels up," Accuweather added.

In parts of Northern Virginia, a heat advisory, flood watch and severe thunderstorm watch will be in effect.

The National Weather Service's Baltimore-Washington office issued a flood watch for parts of Northern Virginia Tuesday afternoon into the evening. According to forecasters, numerous showers and thunderstorms will advance to the area Tuesday afternoon and evening. Rainfall up to 2 inches per hour could occur, and flash flooding is possible where heavy rain lingers the longest.

The severe thunderstorm watch affects Loudoun County, Prince William County, Spotsylvania County, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Stafford County and the cities of Alexandria, Fredericksburg, Manassas, Fairfax, Manassas Park and Falls Church, among other localities. The watch runs through 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Excess runoff from rain could cause flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations, according to the National Weather Service.

The flood watch applies to Fairfax County, Arlington County, Falls Church, eastern Loudoun County, northwest, southeast and central Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park, along with some surrounding areas.

Parts of the region are under a heat advisory from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, as forecasters expect a heat index up to 106 degrees. Areas include Spotsylvania County, central and Southeast Prince William County, Manassas, Manassas Park, Fairfax County, Stafford County, Arlington County, Falls Church and Alexandria.

Heat-related illnesses are a risk due to the high temperatures and humidity.

After Tuesday, the region won't be in the clear from additional storms. Here is the full forecast from the National Weather Service based at Dulles International Airport.

Tuesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 3 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 94. Heat index values as high as 103. The chance of precipitation is 80 percent. At night, showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 8 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Wednesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. At night, showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. and a slight chance of showers after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. The chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Thursday: A chance of showers before 11 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. High near 88. At night, showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Low around 70. The chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Friday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. At night, showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. The chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. At night, a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m., then a chance of showers between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent at night.

Sunday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. At night, showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.