Thunderstorms, Up To 5 Inches Of Rain In NoVA Forecast, Flood Watch Issued

VIRGINIA — With heavy rain and thunderstorms continuing, up to 5 inches of rain may fall Tuesday in the DC region. The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for portions of Northern Virginia and the greater Baltimore-Washington region.

“Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations,” according to NWS. “Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Low-water crossings may be flooded.”

The flood watch will be in effect from 2 to 10 p.m. Tuesday. More severe weather looms for Thursday.

Areas in the flood watch include: Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, Manassas, Manassas Park, Fairfax, Arlington, Falls Church and Alexandria.

“Showers are likely with scattered to numerous thunderstorms this afternoon and evening,” according to the NWS forecast. “Some thunderstorms will contain heavy rainfall, with rain amounts of 1 to 2 inches in an hour or two. Storms may also train over the same areas causing the possibility of locally higher amounts around 3 to 5 inches. Heavy rain in a short period of time may cause rapid rises in creeks and streams as well as potential flash flooding in urban areas.”

A chance of showers and thunderstorms is expected Tuesday night, mainly before 1 a.m., under mostly cloudy skies, according to NWS. With a 40 percent chance of precipitation overnight and a light southwest wind, the temperature will hang around 72 degrees.

"Passing showers this morning will give way to warmer temperatures and thunderstorm chances this afternoon," the NWS office said Tuesday morning. "Turning hot midweek with heat index values in the mid to upper 90s. More widespread severe weather Thursday."

Here is the National Weather Service forecast for the Washington, D.C., region:

• Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Southwest wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
• Wednesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Juneteenth: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Sunny, with a high near 93. Southwest wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
• Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then a chance of showers between 11pm and 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Friday: Sunny, with a high near 87.
• Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.
• Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 92.
• Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74.
• Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 95.
• Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 76.
• Monday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 97.

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