Flood Watch In Effect As Severe Storms Bring Damaging Winds To VA, DC

WASHINGTON, DC — Flash flooding, severe thunderstorms and damaging winds are forecast for the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia on Sunday. A flood watch is in effect until 10 p.m., the National Weather Service said, with up to 4 inches of rain possible in a few areas.

Torrential rainfall and severe thunderstorms are slated to begin around 1 p.m., with flash flooding, winds up to 70 mph and hourly rainfall rates of 2 inches or more possible.

“Thunderstorms capable of producing very heavy rainfall are expected across the watch area this afternoon into this evening. Rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches will be common,with isolated totals in excess of 4 inches possible. This heavy rainfall may lead to rapid rises of water on creeks, streams, urban and poor drainage areas, and in other flood-prone locations,” the National Weather Service Baltimore-DC office said in a statement.

Portions of DC and Northern Virginia under the flood watch include: the District of Columbia, Fairfax, Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, Manassas, Manassas Park, Franconia, McLean, Ashburn, Chantilly, Purcellville, Herndon, Woodbridge, Arlington, Fredericksburg, Dale City, Warrenton, Leesburg, Annandale and Reston.

Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations, the NWS said. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas.

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for parts of the DC region and the surrounding waters until 6 p.m. Severe thunderstorms are likely with the main hazard being damaging wind gusts.

Those areas under the severe threat include: District of Columbia, Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, Spotsylvania and Stafford counties, plus the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fredericksburg, Manassas and Manassas Park.

Visit www.weather.gov/safety/flood for flood safety and preparedness information.

Storms are possible through Monday night, then skies clear as heat moves back in with high temperatures above 90 degrees by Tuesday, the weather service said.

Here's the DC/Northern Virginia forecast for the first half of the week, according to the National Weather Service:

Sunday Afternoon: Showers and thunderstorms. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds and heavy rain. High near 84. Southwest wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Sunday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 2am, then a chance of showers. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Light and variable wind becoming northeast around 5 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Monday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Northwest wind 8 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Northwest wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 89. Northwest wind around 7 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 92.