Up To 6 Inches Of Rain Possible In NoVA Monday, Flash Flood Watch Issued

There's been no shortage of severe weather over the last week, with severe thunderstorms affecting parts of Northern Virginia on Saturday and last Wednesday's thunderstorms bringing flooded roads, downed trees and strong lightning and thunder. The region faces more rounds of storms Monday, with a flood watch issued due to the threat of storms with heavy rainfall.

The National Weather Service issued a flood watch from 2 p.m. Monday through the evening. According to forecasters, the region could see showers and thunderstorms that could produce heavy rainfall, with rates up to 2 to 3 inches per hour. Scattered flash flooding could occur in areas where the storm is slower moving and multiple rounds of rain occur. Localized rainfall of 4 to 6 inches is possible in these isolated areas.

Flooding is possible due to excessive runoff, particularly in rivers, creeks, streams, poor drainage areas, urban areas and more low-lying and flood-prone locations. Residents can continue to monitor the National Weather Service if a flash flood warning is issued, which means flooding is imminent or already happening.

The severe storm forecast affects a widespread area of the East Coast from North Carolina to western Maine Monday night, according to AccuWeather. Aside from the heavy rain, the storms could cause localized damaging winds and frequent lightning.

"One issue with storms in the summertime is when they erupt, they can grow skyward and move very slowly at the same time--just like they do in tropical rainforests or jungles," said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Alex Sosnowski. "This has the potential to unload a tremendous amount of rain."

Areas under the flood watch include Fairfax County, Arlington County, Falls Church, Alexandria, Stafford County, Spotsylvania, Loudoun County, northwest, central and southeast Prince William County, Manassas, Manassas Park and other surrounding areas.

The DC region's storms will come as "sauna-like humidity levels" affect the area, according to the Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang. On Monday, forecasters believe rain could emerge any time during the day but is most likely toward the evening. The rest of the week will follow a theme of storm chances and lingering high humidity.

Below is the Northern Virginia forecast for the week ahead:

Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 3 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. At night, showers and thunderstorms before 2 a.m., then a chance of showers. Low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent at night.

Tuesday: A chance of showers before 11 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. At night, showers and thunderstorms likely before 11 p.m., then a slight chance of showers between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Light south wind. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent at night.

Wednesday: A chance of showers before 11 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. High near 90. 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 74. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 94. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. At night, a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75 and 30 percent chance of precipitation.

Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. At night, a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent at night.

Get The Latest Local News (For Free!) With One Quick Tap