Weather Alert Issued for Central Maryland

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch throughout Central Maryland, beginning at noon Wednesday and lasting until Wednesday night.

Ground saturated by melted snow, plus rain and thunderstorms predicted for Wednesday could flood some streams.

The forecast calls for rain, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch are possible today. Rain is likely, mainly before 10 p.m., then a chance of showers after 1 a.m.

Weather note: See the hour-by-hour and extended local forecast by clicking the temperature at the top of any page.

The watch includes the District of Columbia and northern Virginia, along with Anne Arundel, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in Maryland.

Cities in the watch area include: Bowie, Suitland-Silver Hill, College Park, Greenbelt, Laurel, Glen Burnie, Annapolis, Severn, Severna Park, Arnold, Odenton, Germantown, Bethesda, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, Columbia and Ellicott City.

The combination of melting snow and periods of heavy rain could result in flooding of urban areas and streams Wednesday afternoon and tonight. Rainfall amounts will average between one half and one inch, with isolated spots between one and two inches possible.

In addition, ice may be on some of the small streams, which could enhance the flooding potential.

A flood watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts. You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible flood warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.