Ida Leftovers Could Bring 6 Inches Of Rain, Tornadoes To NoVA, DC

WASHINGTON, DC — The remnants of what is now tropical storm Ida could dump up to 6 inches of rain to parts of northern Virginia and the District of Columbia early Wednesday into Thursday morning. A flash flood watch is in effect for the Baltimore-Washington, D.C., region Wednesday and Thursday, with up to 6 inches of rain possible.

In addition to heavy rain, the storm could bring tornadoes and flash flooding.

The region is also under a flash flood watch from 2 to 10 p.m. Monday with scattered showers and thunderstorms likely into the evening, some of which may produce a few inches of rain in a short period of time.

Hurricane Ida made landfall in Port Fourchon, Louisiana, Sunday morning as a Category 4 hurricane with winds of up to 150 miles per hour. The storm has since caused thousands of power outages in Louisiana and the flow of the Mississippi River to reverse, according to reports. More than 1 million are without power in the New Orleans area as the storm makes its way up the coast, according to The Weather Channel and others.

According to the National Weather Service, the storm's remnants will pass through DC and northern Virginia on Wednesday, departing Thursday morning. The storm could bring tropical downpours and tornadoes as it moves through the region.

"The remnants of Ida will interact with a stalled front, resulting in a prolonged period of heavy rainfall beginning Wednesday morning and continuing through Wednesday night," the National Weather Service said. "Rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches are expected, with localized amounts up to 6 inches possible."

This amount of heavy rainfall will not only result in the potential for considerable flash flooding of creeks, small streams, and urban areas, but also the potential for river flooding, the agency said.

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

The flash flood watch is in effect from 11 a.m. Wednesday through 8 a.m. Thursday, the weather service said. Heavy tropical rainfall could result in considerable flash flooding.

A few severe thunderstorms are possible Wednesday into Wednesday night. Damaging wind gusts and a brief tornado are the main threats, the weather service said.

Moderate tidal flooding is possible Wednesday into Wednesday night at sensitive low-lying coastal locations.

Virginia communities in the flash flood watch include: the District of Columbia, Culpeper, Prince William, Manassas, Manassas Park, Fairfax, Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria, Fauquier, Loudoun, Purcellville, Chantilly, Centreville, Sterling, Warrenton, Herndon, Leesburg, McLean, Dale City, Reston, Woodbridge, Annandale, and Franconia.

Here's the current local forecast:

Monday: Showers likely, mainly after 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Monday night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before midnight. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Increasing clouds, with a high near 86. Light west wind. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Tuesday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 3am. Cloudy, with a low around 71. Light north wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 9am, then showers between 9am and noon, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. High near 79. Light northeast wind becoming east 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

Wednesday night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 67. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

Thursday: Showers likely, mainly before 9am. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Thursday night: A chance of showers before 9pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 79.