Weather

Heavy Rain, Flood Watch Loom Over Northern Virginia, DC

Moderate to heavy rain through much of Thursday could bring minor flooding in some areas, the National Weather Service says.

The National Weather Service issued a flood watch amid moderate to heavy rain for parts of the DC region.
The National Weather Service issued a flood watch amid moderate to heavy rain for parts of the DC region. (Shutterstock)

WASHINGTON, DC — DC and parts of Northern Virginia are under a flood watch amid moderate to heavy rain through much of Thursday. The National Weather Service's Baltimore-Washington office says heavy rain can lead to minor flooding.

Forecasters expect "widespread heavy rain" Thursday afternoon into the early evening. Rainfall is expected to reach one and a half to two and a half inches, although three inches or more are possible in localized areas. Small stream and main stem river flooding are possible. Residents living in areas prone to flooding should prepare if flooding should develop.

The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang said Thursday morning the heaviest rain was concentrated west of the Beltway, but that rain will move east. Some places are also seeing gusts up to 30 mph.

Find out what's happening in West End Alexandriawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"While the heaviest rain is currently from around Germantown to Manassas and to the west, that should shift toward the Interstate 95 corridor by late morning or midday," Capital Weather Gang forecasters stated.

The flood watch is in effect from 10 a.m. through the evening. Areas under the flood watch include the District of Columbia, Arlington County, Falls Church, Alexandria, Culpeper County, Loudoun County, Fairfax County, King George County, Fauquier County, Orange County, Prince William County, Spotsylvania County, Stafford County, Loudoun County and Fredericksburg.

Find out what's happening in West End Alexandriawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A coastal flooding advisory effect for the shorelines of DC, Arlington and Alexandria until 2 a.m. Friday. Forecasters expect water to approach the curb near the intersection of King Street and Strand Street in Alexandria, and minor shore inundation up to one foot is possible elsewhere in Alexandria and Arlington. The next high tides in Alexandria are 2:15 p.m. and 3:09 a.m.

In DC, one to two feet of inundation above ground level from tidal flooding is possible in low-lying areas under the advisory through 2 a.m. Friday. A coastal flood watch with up to one foot of inundation continues from late Thursday through Friday afternoon. The Washington Channel's next high tides are 1:57 p.m. and 2:51 a.m.


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