Flash Food Watch Issued For DC, NoVA Through Friday

WASHINGTON, DC — The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch Thursday afternoon for most of the Washington, D.C. metro area. The watch is in effect through Friday morning.

Flash flooding conditions are expected for D.C. and the following areas in Virginia: Albemarle, Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria, Augusta, Central Virginia, Blue Ridge, Culpeper, Eastern Loudoun, Fairfax, Greene, Madison, Nelson, Northern Fauquier, Northern Virginia Blue Ridge, Orange, Page, Prince William, Manassas, Manassas Park, Rappahannock, Southern Fauquier, Spotsylvania, Stafford and Western Loudoun.

Residents can expect scattered showers and thunderstorms with the possibility of heavy rain Thursday night southwest of Washington, D.C., with the greatest threat occurring overnight. Thunderstorms producing a potential of 1 to 2 inches of rain per hour are possible, according to NWS.

Heavy rainfall may lead to the rapid rising of water in local streams and urban areas with poor drainage.