Storms packing torrential rain are expected to roll though Arlington later this afternoon and tonight.
The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch through 6:00 a.m. Tuesday, warning that downpours may lead to flash flooding.
From NWS:
… FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT…
THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR
* PORTIONS OF MARYLAND… MD… THE THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND NORTHERN VIRGINIA… INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING AREAS… IN MARYLAND… ANNE ARUNDEL… CARROLL… FREDERICK… NORTHERN BALTIMORE… PRINCE GEORGES AND SOUTHERN BALTIMORE. IN MD… CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST HOWARD… CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST MONTGOMERY… NORTHWEST HARFORD… NORTHWEST HOWARD… NORTHWEST MONTGOMERY AND SOUTHEAST HARFORD. THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… ARLINGTON/FALLS CHURCH/ALEXANDRIA.
* THROUGH LATE TONIGHT
* SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL INCREASE IN COVERAGE THIS AFTERNOON AND CONTINUE THROUGH THROUGH MOST OF TONIGHT. SOME OF THE STORMS WILL CONTAIN TORRENTIAL DOWNPOURS WHICH MAY LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING. AVERAGE RAINFALL AMOUNTS BETWEEN ONE TO TWO INCHES ARE EXPECTED… BUT LOCALIZED AMOUNTS IN EXCESS OF THREE INCHES ARE POSSIBLE IN HEAVIER THUNDERSTORMS. RAINFALL RATES AROUND ONE TO TWO INCHES PER HOUR ARE EXPECTED IN HEAVIER THUNDERSTORMS. RECENT RAINFALL HAS SATURATED SOILS WHICH WILL ALSO INCREASE THE THREAT FOR FLASH FLOODING DURING THIS TIME.
* HEAVY RAINFALL IN SHORT PERIODS OF TIME MAY CAUSE RAPID RISES ON CREEKS AND STREAMS AS WELL AS FLASH FLOODING IN URBAN AREAS.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.
YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.