Heavy Rain, Flooding Forecast As Tropical Storm Debby Moves Toward VA

VIRGINIA — A stormy and wet week is in store for the Northern Virginia region as the remnants of what was Hurricane Debby — downgraded Monday morning to a tropical storm — bring the potential for heavy downpours and flooding, forecasters warn.

Debby made landfall in Florida as a hurricane Monday morning and its remnants could bring impacts to Northern Virginia and the rest of the DC region. The National Weather Service's Baltimore-Washington office says Debby could have impacts on the region as soon as Wednesday, but most likely arriving on Friday.

Chances of showers and thunderstorms will increase Tuesday into Wednesday, and this front could stall later in the week due to Debby advancing north. As Debby approaches the DC region later this week, forecasters anticipate potential impacts like heavy rain, flooding and tidal flooding.

"Tropical Storm Debby is forecast to move inland over South Carolina on Thursday and track slowly northeastward across eastern North Carolina and Virginia later this week. As tropical moisture increases, expect an uptick in showers and thunderstorms each day along with the threat of heavy rainfall," the NWS said in its daily summary. "Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible."

SEE ALSO: Teenage Boy Killed After Debby Makes Landfall In Northern FL: Sheriff

A National Hurricane Center prediction of the probable path shows Debby being a tropical depression by Friday before passing over Virginia and other Mid-Atlantic states and off the coast for the weekend, the NWS Baltimore-DC office said.

"There remains a huge range in potential rainfall amounts that are dependent on whether Debby stays to the east along the coast or spirals westward into the central/southern Appalachians, the NWS said. "If the westward spiral of Debby were to come true, then the risk of flooding would increase even in areas west of Blue Ridge. This is due in part to repetitive rounds of rainfall and high rain rates over a shortened period of time. Right now, locations along and east of the Blue Ridge have the greatest chance to see heavy rainfall and potential flooding concerns."

Here's the latest forecast from Northern Virginia's Dulles International Airport:

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 96. At night, mostly clear, with a low around 75.

Tuesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 102. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. At night, a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. The chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. At night, showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. The chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Thursday: Showers likely, mainly after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. 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., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Friday: Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. At night, chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. At night, a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.