Baltimore residents should brace themselves for a weekend of wet socks and disrupted plans as heavy rain and thunderstorms slam the region. The National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC has issued a Flood Watch effective from Friday evening through late at night for multiple areas including DC, parts of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. The warning comes amid expectations of "periods of heavy rain and thunderstorms" associated with a low pressure system that's forecasted to move across the area through tonight and into Saturday.
With a frontal boundary lingering and an upper level low trucking in from the west, the total rainfall could hit the 2-3 inches mark, isolated areas even seeing up to 4 inches. This deluge, set to arrive this Friday afternoon, is expected to cause not just washout conditions but pose a significant risk of flash flooding, particularly in parts of the forecast area where the watch has been expanded westward, according to the weather service's release. As the low-pressure system strengthens, the threat of flooding or flash flooding heightens, especially since the ground is already waterlogged from prior downpours.
Along with the downpour, thunderstorms are predicted, with "the potential for training showers and thunderstorms over vulnerable areas" raising alarms for urban and small stream flash flooding. Residents in the affected regions should prepare for possible emergency situations and disruptions, including river overflows, creek and stream swells, and flooded roads. Although the tornado threat seems lower, "one can't be ruled out near the frontal zone," per the National Weather Service advisory.
Boaters might want to reconsider any weekend plans on the water, too. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect from Friday night through Saturday evening due to another round of likely strong thunderstorms. Predicted gusty winds on Sunday after a cold front's passage may only add to safety concerns. The advisory covers a swath of the maritime area from the Chesapeake Bay to the tidal Potomac River. Winds are forecasted to be potentially hazardous, with "the back side of the low during the pre-dawn hours Saturday morning" potentially ushering in gusts as high as 40 to 50 mph.
Looking beyond the storm, the forecast promises a silver lining with high pressure expected to build early next week, bringing dry conditions and warming temperatures. As early as Monday, the region could see a reprieve from the wet weather, with high temperatures reaching mid-70s and a potential to climb to the low 90s come Thursday. For now, though, the focus remains firmly on getting through the tempest and keeping an eye out for any emergency alerts or updates from local officials.
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