Coastal Storm To Hit VA With Heavy Rain, Gusty Winds: See Timing

A coastal storm moving over Virginia is expected to bring heavy rain, gusty winds and cooler temperatures to parts of the state Tuesday into Wednesday, according to the latest forecasts.

Spotty sprinkles and light showers have already made it to the immediate Washington, D.C. area, but a low-pressure system moving north along the East Coast is expected to bring additional and much-needed rainfall to parts of the state experiencing abnormally dry drought conditions, the National Weather Service said in a short-range forecast discussion released Tuesday.

According to the latest AccuWeather forecast, the system is expected to bring 4 to 8 inches of rain to parts of the Mid-Atlantic, including eastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia, through the middle of the week. The storm could develop tropical characteristics as it moves inland, potentially spreading rain into the Interstate 95 corridor up to New York City.

In addition to heavy rain, beach communities from North Carolina to New Jersey will likely experience rough surf, dangerous rip currents and minor to moderate coastal flooding during high tides, AccuWeather forecasters said.

The system is forecast to stall tonight into much of Wednesday over eastern Virginia to eastern North Carolina, according to the National Weather Service. "The slow and meandering movement of the system will support potential for additional heavy rainfall amounts across northeast North Carolina into southeast Virginia and the southern Delmarva Peninsula, with two-day totals of 2-5 inches possible."

According to The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang, Northern Virginia and D.C. is expected to experience mostly cloudy, cooler, and breezy conditions with intermittent sprinkles and showers developing from southeast to northwest. A rumble of thunder is possible on Tuesday afternoon.

"Some areas, especially from D.C. to the northwest, may not see much rain," the Capital Weather Gang said. "Rainfall could range from about 0.25 to 0.5 inches south and east of D.C. to barely wetting the ground north and west."

By Tuesday evening into the overnight hours, showers should become more consistent region-wide and could be heavy at times, forecasters said.

Northeast winds are expected to reach 10 to 20 mph, with gusts of 20 to 35 mph possible, especially east of Interstate 95.

Cloudy skies and showers will linger into Wednesday and Wednesday night, with winds from the north and northeast at 10 to 15 mph and gusts near 25 mph.

"Storm total rainfall could range from as little as 0.25 to 0.75 inches north and west of D.C. to as much as 0.5 to 1.25 inches from D.C. to the south and east," the Capital Weather Gang said.

Here's a look at the detailed NWS forecast for Northern Virginia:

Tuesday: A chance of showers before 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2pm and 3pm, then a chance of showers after 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. Northeast wind 11 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Tuesday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. North wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Wednesday: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 68. North wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: A chance of showers, mainly before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. North wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Northwest wind around 6 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 88.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60.