NoVA, DC Weather: Flood Watch Issued As Heavy Rains Move In Tuesday

VIRGINIA — The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for Washington, D.C., and parts of Northern Virginia as up to 5 inches of rain moves in overnight through Tuesday afternoon.

The flash flood watch is in effect from 4 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday for DC, plus Fairfax, Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria, Loudoun, Alexandria, Chantilly, Leesburg, Sterling, Ashburn, Centreville, Purcellville, Herndon, Reston, Annandale, Franconia and McLean.

Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers,creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations, the Weather Service said.

"Heavy showers and a few thunderstorms are expected to drop 2 to 3 inches across much
of the watch area, with isolated higher amounts up to 5 inches possible in the heaviest cells," the NWS forecast said.

A flood watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.

A hazardous weather outlook is in place for the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay, Tidal Potomac River, and I-95 corridor through central Maryland, northern Virginia, and District of Columbia.

Showers and a possible thunderstorm may lead to instances of flooding overnight. Isolated to scattered instances of flooding are possible Tuesday due to locally heavy rainfall from showers and a possible thunderstorm, especially around the Washington and Baltimore metropolitan areas.

Here's the NWS forecast for DC and Northern Virginia for the next few days:

Monday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 71. Southeast wind 3 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tuesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 82. South wind around 6 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 11pm, then a chance of showers between 11pm and 2am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. North wind 3 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. North wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Wednesday Night: A slight chance of showers before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. North wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday: A slight chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 81.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64.