Residents of the District of Columbia should brace for potential flooding as the National Weather Service (NWS) extends its coastal flood advisory until this afternoon. The bulletin warns of "around one foot of inundation above ground level in low lying areas due to tidal flooding", affecting shorelines within D.C. according to the National Weather Service.

The advisory, in effect until 1 PM EDT today, comes amid overcast skies and cool temperatures hovering around the 50°F mark in the nation's capital. Residents can expect rain before 2 PM with a "chance of precipitation is 80%". Northwest breezes will shuffle in gusts as high as 21 mph, leading travel to require extra caution, as some roads may be closed. "Do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth," the NWS cautions, emphasizing the importance of being prepared for unexpected travel delays wrought by the weather.

Areas most at risk include low-lying sections near the Tidal Basin and Jefferson Memorial, where "shoreline inundation is expected along portions of the seawall adjacent to Ohio Drive and the Hains Point Loop Road," as per the NWS advisory. Property owners in flood-prone spots are advised to take necessary measures to ward off water damage.

The adverse conditions are set against a forecast of variable weather for the week ahead with sunny spells interchanging with periods of precipitation. The new bout of clear skies promised for tonight as "cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing" will give way to a breezy Friday with highs in the low 60s. With a chance of rain returning over the weekend, especially after 2 PM on Saturday, and the odds of showers increasing by Monday, D.C. residents will be navigating a wet and unpredictable March into April.