NoVA, DC Weather: 4 To 7 Inches Of Rain Possible, Flood Watch Issued

VIRGINIA — Concerns for flooding are growing as storms are expected to dump rain — perhaps as much as 4 to 7 inches in some areas — on Northern Virginia and the District. 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 in the flood watch include: The District of Columbia, Prince William, Manassas, Manassas Park, Fairfax, Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria, Loudoun, Arlington, Falls Church, Purcellville, Chantilly, Ballenger Creek, Centreville, Sterling, Herndon, Leesburg, McLean, Dale City, Reston,
Ashburn, Woodbridge, Annandale and Franconia.

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 increasing 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 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 DC and Northern Virginia:

Friday: A chance of showers between 2pm and 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Light southeast wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Cloudy, with a high near 77. Northeast wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. East wind around 7 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 85.