The National Weather Service has issued a pair of watches for Arlington and much of the D.C. area.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch was issued around 12:40 p.m. and will remain in effect until 7 p.m. today (Wednesday). Another Flood Watch, meanwhile, was issued a bit earlier and is effective until 8 p.m.
This marks the second consecutive day of Flood Watch conditions, though Tuesday’s watch was ended early after little rainfall locally.
Today, forecasters are warning of potential flash flooding caused by heavy thunderstorms expected throughout the afternoon and early evening hours.
Some storms could dump 1-2 inches of rain within an hour, with localized areas potentially seeing up to 3 inches in the strongest cells.
More from NWS:
A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for parts of Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia until 7 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/1CAg3XYmW0
— NWS Severe Tstorm (@NWSSevereTstorm) June 18, 2025
1201 PM EDT Wed Jun 18 2025
…Flood Watch IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING…
* WHAT…Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.
* WHERE…Including the following , District of Columbia, in Maryland, Anne Arundel, Carroll, Central and Southeast Howard, Central and Southeast Montgomery, Charles, Frederick MD, Northern Baltimore, Northwest Harford, Northwest Howard, Northwest Montgomery, Prince Georges, Southeast Harford and Southern Baltimore, in Virginia, Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria, Central and Southeast Prince William/Manassas/Manassas Park, Eastern Loudoun, Fairfax, Northwest Prince William and Western Loudoun.
* WHEN…Until 8 PM EDT this evening.
* IMPACTS…Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…
– Showers and thunderstorms are likely this afternoon through early this evening. Some thunderstorms will produce heavy rainfall with amounts around 1 to 2 inches within an hour. Localized amounts up to 3 inches are possible in the strongest storms. The heavy amounts of rain in a short period of time may lead to rapid rises of creeks and streams out of their banks as well as potential flash flooding in urban areas.
– Please visit www.weather.gov/safety/flood for flood safety and preparedness informationPRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.
A Flood Watch has been issued until 8PM this evening with flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall possible. 1 to 2 inches of precipitation in an hour is expected within thunderstorms with localized amounts up to 3 inches possible. Turn around, don't drown! #MDwx #DCwx #VAwx pic.twitter.com/RTRzyPo8yW
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) June 18, 2025
