Slow-Moving Storms Bring Flash Flooding Risk In Parts Of NoVA: See Forecast

With the potential for excess rainfall, areas of Northern Virginia are under a flood watch on Wednesday.

The National Weather Service's Baltimore-Washington office issued a flood watch for Fairfax County, Arlington County, Falls Church and Alexandria until 9 p.m. Wednesday. The greater Northern Virginia and D.C. region are under a hazardous weather outlook.

In the flood watch area, multiple rounds of slow-moving storms bring potential for rain that could cause flash flooding. Forecasters expect localized rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches within an hour. With multiple rounds of storms possible, the total accumulations could reach 2 to 4 inches.

Creeks and small streams could rise out of their banks and cause flooding in the event of significant rainfall. Rivers, flood-prone locations, low-lying areas and poor drainage and urban areas are vulnerable to flooding as well.

Outside the watch area, forecasters say isolated cases of flash flooding could happen Wednesday afternoon and evening. Some severe storms are possible in the afternoon and evening, bringing damaging wind gusts.

The high humidity is hard to ignore as D.C. area residents step outside on Wednesday. The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang says the significant moisture could spur storms capable of heavy rain in a short amount of time.

This summer's severe thunderstorms have brought instances of drivers encountering flooded roads. The Capital Weather Gang urges drivers to never attempt to drive through a flooded road, following the National Weather Service guidance of "turn around, don't drown." Forecasters also encourage families to ensure their children stay away from streams during heavy rain, as a Maryland boy died after being swept by stormwaters into a drainage pipe.

Here is the forecast for the days ahead in Northern Virginia:

Wednesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. At night, showers and thunderstorms likely before 2 a.m., then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. The chance of precipitation is 60 percent at night. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. The chance of precipitation is 30 percent at night.

Friday: A slight chance of showers after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent. At night, partly cloudy, with a low around 74.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Mostly clear at night, with a low around 72.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 92. At night, partly cloudy, with a low around 73.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. At night, partly cloudy, with a low around 70.