Weather Alert: Flash Flood Watch Issued For DC, Northern Virginia

WASHINGTON, DC — The evening commute could be a challenge across Northern Virginia on Monday as the National Weather Service predicts heavy rains will drench the region from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and could bring another 1 to 2 inches of rain to many areas. A flash flood watch will take effect at noon Monday and run through 10 Monday night.

According to the Weather Service, the following areas are in the watch: the District of Columbia, plus Reston, Herndon, Annandale, Centreville, Chantilly, McLean, Franconia, Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria and the Fairfax areas in Virginia.

Monday afternoon and evening multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected with localized heavy rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour possible, forecasters predict. Runoff from excessive rainfall may cause rapid rises of water in low-lying and poor drainage areas as well as streams and creeks resulting in flash flooding. Urban areas will be most susceptible.

Rain will intensify Monday afternoon before ending by midnight, according to the National Weather Service. Skies will be mostly cloudy, but dry on Tuesday, then sunny on Wednesday, the forecast says.

The forecast calls for:

• Sunday Night: Showers, mainly after 2am. Low around 69. South wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
• Monday: Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 11am. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. High near 76. Southeast wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
• Monday Night: Showers likely, mainly before 10pm. Cloudy, with a low around 67. Southwest wind around 8 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 82. North wind 7 to 9 mph.
• Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Light north wind.
• Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.

To minimize flood risks be sure to:

• If you are near streams or drainage ditches keep an eye on them and be ready to quickly seek higher ground. Water may rise rapidly.
• Clear out storm drains.
• Don't drive through water covering roads.
• Don't let children play in flood waters or near fast-moving water.

»Photo by Violette79, via flickr creative commons