July 4 Flash Flood Watch Issued For Northern Virginia, DC

WASHINGTON, D.C. — With torrential rains in the forecast, the National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch on the Fourth of July for parts of northern Virginia, as well as the District of Columbia. A watch means conditions could develop that lead to flash flooding. The watch took effect just before 11:30 a.m. and lasts until 8 p.m.

Torrential rainfall is possible as slow-moving showers and thunderstorms arrive after 1 p.m. on Thursday, July 4, officials warned. More than 2 inches of rain could fall during thunderstorms, which could lead to a rapid rise in water level, or flash flooding, in small streams and areas that have poor drainage.

There is an isolated threat of scattered thunderstorms with damaging wind gusts. Afternoon storms will diminish early Thursday evening, according to the flash flood watch.

The flash flood watch applies to Washington, D.C., Dale City, Manassas, Woodbridge, Lake Ridge, Montclair, Reston, Herndon, Annandale, Centreville, Chantilly, McLean, Franconia, Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, Leesburg, Ashburn, and Sterling.

Here is the forecast for the Washington, D.C., metro from the National Weather Service:

July 4: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 91. Heat index values as high as 100. Southeast wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 8pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Patchy fog after 5am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southeast wind 3 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 88. South wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 91. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 2am, then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday: Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 8am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 40%.