Arlington County and much of the D.C. region is under Flash Flood Watch from Friday afternoon to Saturday afternoon.
Forecasters say a slow-moving storm system is threatening to dump three inches or more of rain, starting Friday. Residents are being urged to take precautions near streams and creeks, in low-lying areas, and on the roads,
Girls’ Firefighting Camp Featured on BBC — The annual girls’ firefighting camp held by Arlington County was the subject of a BBC News video segment, which was published online yesterday. [BBC]
Arlington Treated to ‘Massive’ Rainbow — After yesterday’s downpours, a bright rainbow was visible over Arlington, prompting a photo opportunity that many took advantage of. [Twitter]
FLASH FLOOD WATCH til 7pm for metro DC/northern Piedmont. Rainfall rates of 1-3" possible; multiple storms may track over same area. pic.twitter.com/c2NAsZaK6T
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) July 6, 2017
Widening of W&OD Trail Studied — The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority is considering a proposal to widen the W&OD Trail in parts of Arlington, Falls Church and Fairfax County. The proposal also calls for separating pedestrians and cyclists along the widened portions of trail. [The Wash Cycle]
Stormy Weather Expected Over the Next 24 Hours — The remnants of Tropical Storm Cindy are expected to bring heavy rain and scattered storms to the area between now and Saturday morning. Most of the rain is expected to fall early Saturday. [Twitter, Capital Weather Gang]
Police closed a section of Washington Blvd in Virginia Square this morning after a U.S. Postal Service truck struck a utility pole.
Officers shut down the 3400 block of Washington Blvd between N. Kirkwood and N. Lincoln streets just after 11 a.m. Thursday.
The rain may cause some minor flooding problems on the roadways and along streams, forecasters say.
“Rain will be locally heavy at times through this evening,” said the National Weather Service. “Localized flooding of small streams and creeks as well as urban areas is possible late this morning into this evening.”
(Updated at 9 a.m.) As feared, it was pouring rain during last night’s Clarendon Mardi Gras parade.
But the raindrops did not dampen the spirits of those in the parade, who made their way up Wilson Blvd to the delight of thin but enthusiastic crowds.
(Updated at 5:45 p.m.) Organizers are hoping for a Mardi Gras miracle, but it looks like tonight’s parade in Clarendon will be a soggy one.
The 18th annual Clarendon-Courthouse Mardi Gras Parade is slated to kick off at 7 p.m., making its way up Wilson Boulevard from N. Barton Street to N. Irving Street.
Rainy Weekend, Maybe — Hurricane Hermine, which is now a tropical storm after making landfall in Florida, is expected to make its way up the coast and bring rain to the Mid-Atlantic region Saturday and Sunday. The exact track of the storm is still in question, thus it’s unclear just how much rain the D.C. area will get. [Capital Weather Gang, Twitter]
Big Immigration Court Delays — A federal immigration court in Crystal City has such a heavy caseload that some hearings are scheduled all the way out to 2024. [Fox 5]
Update at 11:15 p.m. — Numerous tree branches and power lines were reported to be down around Arlington following the storm. Currently, 366 Dominion customers are without power in the county.
Update at 9:05 p.m. — A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for Arlington.
“SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE LIKELY LATE THIS AFTERNOON INTO TONIGHT. THE MAIN THREAT IS DAMAGING WIND WITH LARGE HAIL AND ISOLATED TORNADOES ALSO POSSIBLE. THE GREATEST RISK WILL BE BETWEEN 6 PM AND 10 PM…ESPECIALLY ACROSS VIRGINIA AND THE WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA.”
Earlier: Arlington and the D.C. region is under a Flash Flood Watch tonight.
Arlington Drops in Happiness Rankings — After being ranked 15th last year, Arlington has dropped out of the top 25 of the “happiest counties in America” list. [WTOP, SmartAsset]
Unsettled Weather This Weekend — Expect rain today, Saturday and Sunday, says the National Weather Service. On Sunday there’s a good chance of severe storms. [Twitter]
