Tropical Storm Fay Could Affect DC, VA This Weekend

WASHINGTON, DC — Tropical Storm Fay moving off the North Carolina coast is expected to strengthen this weekend and bring heavy rain and strong winds to the mid-Atlantic region, according to the National Hurricane Center. Forecasters have already issued tropical storm warnings for the Long Island, New York, region.

Chances are good for moderate to heavy rainfall with the potential for flash flooding Friday into Saturday in the greater DC region as the coastal system moves up the Mid-Atlantic coast, the National Weather Service said. While the exact timing and track of the storm are still uncertain, the system has the potential to produce at least one to two inches of rain with higher amounts possible with heavier bands, the NWS said Thursday morning.

Rain is likely to begin after sunrise Friday and then it could very well rain for 24 hours straight.

Forecasters said the center of Fay is expected to move near the mid-Atlantic coast on Friday, and move inland over the northeast United States on Saturday. A tropical storm warning has been issued from Cape May New Jersey north to Watch Hill, Rhode Island, including Long Island and Long Island Sound.

As of 5 p.m. Thursday, the storm had maximum sustained winds near 45 mph with higher gusts. Some slight strengthening is forecast Thursday night and Friday. Weakening should begin after the center moves inland on Saturday.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles, primarily to the east and southeast of Fay's center.

Tropical Storm Fay is expected to produce 3 to 5 inches of rain along and near the track of Fay across the mid-Atlantic states into southeast New York and southern New England. These rains may result in flash flooding where the heaviest amounts occur.

The weather system is expected to move northeastward or north-northeastward near or just offshore of the North Carolina Outer Banks later Thursday, and then along the mid-Atlantic coast overnight through Friday night.

Gusty winds are also possible along the mid-Atlantic coast Friday and Saturday.

"A tropical system coming up the coast may brush the metro area Friday. Most of its heavy rain and gusty winds are likely to focus on the Atlantic beaches in Maryland and Delaware but a few showers are possible as far west as around the Interstate 95 corridor," said The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang.

The National Weather Service's forecast for Ocean City, Maryland, includes a hazardous weather outlook and a moderate risk for rip currents. Showers and thunderstorms with heavy rainfall could produce some localized flooding across the Ocean City area Thursday night and Friday.

And the NWS office in Virginia Beach has issued a hazardous weather outlook for the region and a beach hazards statement.

"Showers and thunderstorms with heavy rainfall could produce some localized flooding across the area late this afternoon and tonight," the NWS office said.

A high risk of rip currents is expected along the Virginia coast. Breaking waves of 3 to 5 feet will result in rough surf conditions and a high risk of rip currents the NWS said.

Here's the latest weekend forecast for the Washington, D.C., region:

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. East wind 5 to 8 mph.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Northeast wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday: Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 91. North wind around 11 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: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. North wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday: A chance of thunderstorms before 8am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8am and 2pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Southwest wind 3 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Saturday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.