Weather

Flood Watch, Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued for Arlington and much of region

By ARLnow.com
Heavy rain along N. Glebe Road at Williamsburg Blvd (staff photo)

The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch and a Flood Watch for Arlington, much of Northern Virginia and the District.

Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible across the region, with thunderstorms later today capable of producing very heavy rain at rates of 1 to 2 inches in 30 minutes.

Some storms may be severe, packing damaging wind gusts, prompting the Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 8 p.m.

The heaviest rainfall is expected between 3-8 p.m., with some areas potentially receiving 4 to 6 inches of total rainfall. The watch is in effect from 2 p.m. Thursday until 2 a.m. Friday.

Residents should prepare for possible flooding in poor drainage areas, urban locations, and low-lying flood-prone spots throughout the region, forecasters say.

From NWS:

Flood Watch IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE THURSDAY NIGHT

WHAT: Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.

WHERE: Portions of DC, including the following, District of Columbia, Maryland, including the following areas, Anne Arundel, Calvert, Carroll, Cecil, Central and Southeast Howard, Central and Southeast Montgomery, Charles, Frederick MD, Northern Baltimore, Northwest Harford, Northwest Howard, Northwest Montgomery, Prince Georges, Southeast Harford, Southern Baltimore and St. Marys, and Northern Virginia, including the following areas, Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria, Central and Southeast Prince William/Manassas/Manassas Park, Eastern Loudoun, Fairfax, Northern Fauquier, Northwest Prince William, Southern Fauquier and Western Loudoun.

WHEN: From Thursday afternoon through late Thursday night.

IMPACTS: Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Extensive street flooding and flooding of creeks and rivers are possible.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS:

Significant flash flooding is possible. Numerous showers and thunderstorms will develop and move across the area Thursday afternoon into Thursday evening. Thunderstorms will be capable of producing very heavy rain, with rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches in 30 minutes. Widespread rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are expected. Some areas could experience multiple rounds of thunderstorms, with higher rainfall amounts of 4 to 6 inches possible. This could result in numerous instances of flash flooding. Showers and thunderstorms will begin early Thursday afternoon, and the heaviest rainfall is most likely from 3 PM to 8 PM.

Please visit www.weather.gov/safety/flood for flood safety and preparedness information

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS:

You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

More from social media:

 

About the Author

  • Launched in January 2010, ARLnow.com is the place for the latest news, views and things to do around Arlington, Virginia. The ARLnow staff byline is used for the Morning Notes and reporting done by an editor or other member of our full-time staff.