NoVA Weather: Strong Winds And Rain To Arrive Tuesday In Next Winter Storm

VIRGINIA — Instead of a white blanket of snow, Northern Virginia saw mainly rain in the first half of the weekend. Rain will return again Tuesday with the addition of strong winds and a flood watch when another winter storm hits the region.

Most areas in Northern Virginia and DC received less than an inch, a trace or no snow during Saturday's winter storm. Rain followed for much of the day and will return on Tuesday.

A strong rainstorm is headed to the DC region Tuesday, leading the National Weather Service to issue a wind advisory and flood watch. According to the Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang, the windiest conditions and heaviest rain are possible Tuesday evening into the night from 5 p.m. to midnight. Another strong storm is possible Friday, the Capital Weather Gang says. Tuesday and Friday's storms could usher in heavy winds, heavy rain, select areas of flooding and possible downed trees.

The National Weather Service expects moderate to heavy rain to affect the area Tuesday afternoon and evening. About 2 to 3 inches are forecast, but up to 4 inches are possible in localized areas. The flood watch from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday morning means flooding from excessive rain could occur. Rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone areas could flood.

Some areas under the flood watch are the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia areas of Arlington County, Falls Church, Alexandria, southeast and northwest Prince William County, Manassas, Manassas Park, Loudoun County, Fairfax County, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania County and Stafford County.

The wind advisory calls from 3 p.m. Tuesday to 1 a.m. Wednesday calls for winds between 20 and 30 mph and gusts up to 50 to 55 mph. The gusty winds could cause a few power outages, blow down tree limbs and move unsecured objects outside.

The wind advisory applies to the greater region, including District of Columbia, Arlington County, Falls Church, Alexandria, central, southeast and northwest Prince William County, Manassas, Manassas Park, Loudoun County, Fairfax County, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania County and Stafford County.

Here's the National Weather Service forecast for the days ahead in DC.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 48 and increasing clouds at night with a low around 33.

Tuesday: Rain, heavy at times and a high near 61. Windy, with an east wind 9 to 14 mph increasing to 21 to 26 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 39 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100 percent with between 1 and 2 inches. At night, rain, mainly before 1 a.m. and a low around 44. Windy, with a southeast wind 23 to 28 mph becoming southwest 16 to 21 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 47 mph.

Wednesday: A slight chance of rain before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 50. Breezy, with a west wind 16 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent. At night, partly cloudy, with a low around 32.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 51 and mostly clear at night, with a low around 34.

Friday: A chance of rain after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. At night, rain with a low around 44 and breezy. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent.

Saturday: A chance of rain. Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. At night, partly cloudy, with a low around 30 and breezy.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 41.