Flood Watch Issued As Warm Weather Returns To NoVA, DC

WASHINGTON, DC — After several days of frigid overnight lows, warm air is moving into DC and northern Virginia, pushing the overnight temperature into the 50s and bringing with it the possibility of heavy rain and flooding. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for parts of Maryland, D.C. and Virginia. The watch is in effect from 4 a.m. Thursday until 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24.

The heaviest rain is expected overnight and Thursday morning, with rainfall totals from 1 to 1.5 inches expected; locally higher amounts around 2 inches are possible, the weather service said. Runoff from a nearly frozen ground and saturated soils could cause streams and creeks to rise out of their banks, as well as potential flooding in low lying urban areas.

Areas included in the flood watch are: Washington, D.C., Dale City, Manassas, Woodbridge, Lake Ridge, Montclair, Reston, Herndon, Annandale, Centreville, Chantilly, McLean, Franconia, Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, Falmouth, Fredericksburg, Warrenton, Turnbull, Purcellville, Leesburg, Ashburn, and Sterling. Also part of the watch area: parts of Loudoun, Fairfax, Fauquier, Prince William, Manassas Park, Spotsylvania, and Stafford.

A flood watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts. Residents should be alert for possible flood warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.

Here's the latest northern Virginia forecast from the National Weather Service:

Wednesday: A chance of rain, mainly after 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 45. South wind 9 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday Night: Rain, mainly after 7pm. The rain could be heavy at times. Temperature rising to around 55 by 5am. South wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Thursday: Rain before 1pm. The rain could be heavy at times. Temperature falling to around 41 by 5pm. South wind 8 to 16 mph becoming northwest in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. Northwest wind 8 to 13 mph becoming light west.

Friday: A slight chance of snow showers before 3pm. Sunny, with a high near 37. West wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 22.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 35.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28.

(For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here. And like Patch on Facebook!)

Image via Shutterstock, graphic by National Weather Service