Flood risk continues in DC region with wet forecast ahead

Steady rainfall has caused flooding in parts of the D.C. region Tuesday, and the showers are expected to continue through the evening before dying down overnight.

“Moderate to heavy rain may lead to ponding or high water on area roadways,” 7News First Alert Senior Meteorologist Brian van de Graaff said.

Virginia, D.C. and a large portion of Maryland are under a flood watch until Wednesday morning.

A flood warning was effect until 10 p.m. for parts of Fairfax County. The National Weather Service warned the downpours could flood rivers, creeks, streams or other low-lying areas.

High winds were also a concern, with gusts expected to reach up to 25 mph.

There were rumbles of thunder Tuesday night amid scattered showers, some of which could linger through Wednesday.

The rain provided some relief to persistent drought conditions in the D.C. area.

The showers began Monday night, kicking off a prolonged period of moderate to heavy rain, according to the National Weather Service.

Rainfall amounts between 2 and 4 inches were likely, the weather service said, with even higher amounts possible along the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Alleghenies.

Van de Graaff said expect rainfall totals between 1 and 3-plus inches by the end of Tuesday, with some neighborhoods seeing higher amounts. By 4 p.m., about 1 to 3 inches of rain had fallen in Fairfax County, which made for minor flooding in some areas, according to the National Weather Service. 

Following the rainy start, the rest of the week isn’t all sunshine and rainbows.

Scattered storms are possible Wednesday, with the chance for damaging winds and additional flooding later in the day. Conditions will be warmer, with highs in the mid-70s.

There’s a chance for more showers and storms on Thursday and Friday.



Full forecast

TUESDAY EVENING: FLOOD ALERT
Areas of rain. Heavy at times
Temperatures: 60s
Winds: Southeast 10-15, Gusts 25 mph 

TUESDAY NIGHT:
Scattered showers. Thunder possible
Lows: 60s
Winds: Southeast 5-15 mph

WEDNESDAY: STORM ALERT
Mostly cloudy. Scattered showers, storms
Highs: 73-78
Winds: Southeast 5-10 mp

THURSDAY:
Partly sunny. Isolated showers, storms
Highs: around 80
Winds: East 5-10 mph

FRIDAY:
Partly sunny. Showers and storms likely
Highs: 83-88
Winds: Southwest 5-10 mph

Current conditions

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Thomas Robertson

Thomas Robertson is an Associate Producer and Web Writer/Editor at WTOP. After graduating in 2019 from James Madison University, Thomas moved away from Virginia for the first time in his life to cover the local government beat for a small daily newspaper in Zanesville, Ohio.

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