MD Weather: 4 To 7 Inches Of Rain Possible, Flood Watch In Effect

MARYLAND — Concerns for flooding are growing as storms are predicted to dump heavy rain overnight, perhaps as much as 4 to 7 inches in some parts of Maryland. A flood watch has been issued by the National Weather Service, in effect from 11 p.m. Friday to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Rain and a chance of thunderstorms are possible Friday through Saturday night, according to the National Weather Service.

"Average rainfall amounts around 1 to 3 inches are expected, but localized amounts around 4 to 7 inches in heavier showers and thunderstorms," the Weather Service said. "Rainfall amounts around 1 to 3 inches within an hour or two are possible in areas where the heaviest rainfall occurs. The best chance for the heaviest rainfall will be overnight into Saturday morning."

Areas under the flood watch include: Carroll, Baltimore, Prince George's, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Howard and Harford counties.

Cities in the watch area include Baltimore, Silver Spring, Bowie, Annapolis, Odenton, Westminster, Bethesda, College Park, Reisterstown, Columbia, Severna Park, Greenbelt, Germantown, Rockville, Jarrettsville, Frederick, Arnold, Suitland-Silver Hill, Gaithersburg, Severn, Eldersburg, Clinton, Glen Burnie, Ellicott City, Cockeysville, Laurel, and Aberdeen.

The cause is a weather system that moved through the Midwest this week, bringing heavy rain, AccuWeather reported.

"Forecasters say the risk of flash flooding will be highest in places where this rain overlaps with downpours that occurred earlier this week," AccuWeather said. "However, even in locations where little or no rain has managed to fall recently, the intensity of the downpours can still lead to rapid urban and small stream flooding."

A slow-moving front will lead to increased chances for showers and thunderstorms through Friday evening, the National Weather Service tweeted. Showers will have the potential to produce periods of moderate and heavy rainfall and may lead to scattered instances of flash flooding this evening and into Saturday.

The NWS has issued a hazardous weather outlook for the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay, Tidal Potomac River and the I-95 corridor through central Maryland, northern Virginia and the District of Columbia.

Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms may produce heavy rainfall which may lead to scattered instances of flooding Saturday morning into the early afternoon, the NWS outlook warned. An isolated severe thunderstorm capable of producing damaging wind gusts is also
possible Saturday.

Here's the complete National Weather Service forecast for Maryland:

Friday: A chance of showers between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 86 degrees. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Increasing clouds, with a low around 71. Calm wind. The chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

Saturday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 78 degrees. Northeast wind 3 to 8 mph. The chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches are possible.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11 p.m., then a slight chance of showers between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66 degrees. Light north wind. The chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82 degrees. Northeast wind around 6 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66 degrees.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 85 degrees.