Flash Flood Watch Issued

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for the Washington and Baltimore metro areas, including Fredericksburg and northern Virginia. The watch is in effect until 2 a.m. tomorrow, May 18.

According to the watch, showers and thunderstorms will be capable of producing localized pockets of heavy rainfall, with rates of one to two inches per hour possible during such storms. This could cause streams and creeks to rise from their banks and could subject low lying urban areas to flash flooding. 

The National Weather Service urges the public to monitor weather forecasts and to be prepared to take action should flash flood warnings be issued. 

According to forecasts, a barrage of showers and thunderstorms will move north west  across the Shenandoah Valley and Northern Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains this morning. Through 10 a.m., the heaviest rains will drift across the Charlottesville area. 

The ponding of water on road surfaces and potential for reduced visibilities are possible during periods of heavy rain.