Heavy Rain, Strong Winds From Tropical Threat Idalia Could Impact Part Of Virginia

VIRGINIA — Forecasters are watching two storms in the Atlantic Ocean this week, and said the impacts of Hurricane Franklin and Tropical Storm Idalia could impact the East Coast with strong winds, rain

While the strong tropical systems are not expected to have a catastrophic impact in Virginia, their positions in the Atlantic Ocean could impact the region just days before the second anniversary of Hurricane Ida, which brought flash flooding to the DC region.

Areas of Florida's western coast, including Tampa Bay, are bracing for Idalia to make landfall as a category 4 hurricane Wednesday morning, bringing the threat of dangerous storm surge and tropical storm force winds. According to Accuweather, a broader area of the southeastern U.S. could be impacted later in the week, including Georgia, North and South Carolina and Virginia.

SEE ALSO: TS Idalia: Tampa, St. Pete Under Hurricane, Storm Surge Warnings

The National Hurricane Center's projected path for Idalia indicates it could weaken to a tropical storm and continue along the coast of Georgia Wednesday night. After reaching the South Carolina and North Carolina border Thursday morning, the tropical storm is expected to move away from North Carolina's coast into Friday.

In addition, Franklin is churning offshore north of the Turks and Caicos and could "gain enough wind intensity to become the season's first Category 4 hurricane," Accuweather forecasters said.

Beach plans in the days before Labor Day weekend could be complicated by rough surf and rip currents along the southeastern U.S. coast. Idalia combined with Hurricane Franklin moving away from land in the Atlantic Ocean will make for increased wave activity on the East Coast, Accuweather forecasters say.

The main threat in Virginia could happen in the southern part of the state. According to the National Weather Service's Wakefield office, Idalia could bring heavy rainfall and gusty winds to parts of southeast Virginia and northeast North Carolina Wednesday night into Friday. Parts of Virginia could receive 1 or 2 inches of rain from the tropical storm with a slight or marginal flash flooding risk, according to the National Hurricane Center.

In Virginia Beach, Accuweather expects Idalia impacts between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Thursday with peak sustained winds of 39 mph and wind gusts up to 43 mph.

In the Northern Virginia region, no hazardous weather outlooks have been issued in relation to the tropical storms. Rain is in the forecast for several days amid a stalled frontal boundary unrelated to the tropical storms. The early forecast shows no weather disruptions in the early Labor Day weekend.

Residents can follow the National Weather Service's Baltimore-Washington office if weather watches or warnings be issued.

Here is the National Weather Service's forecast for the week ahead in DC.

• Monday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. At night, a chance of showers and thunderstorms and cloudy, with a low around 71.
• Tuesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 a.m., then a chance of showers between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. At night, showers are likely with a possible thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a low around 70.
• Wednesday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. At night, mostly cloudy, with a low around 63.
• Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. At night, mostly clear, with a low around 60.
• Friday: Sunny, with a high near 80. At night, mostly clear, with a low around 60.
• Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 84. At night, mostly clear, with a low around 64.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.