Residents in the Washington D.C. area should brace for a wet and potentially hazardous end to the week. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Flood Watch effective from this evening through late tonight, warning of possible flash flooding due to excessive rainfall across the region, including portions of Maryland and Virginia. According to the NWS forecast, scattered showers are expected to turn into likely showers and possible thunderstorms after 5pm today, with some storms producing heavy rainfall. The chance of precipitation for today is pegged at 60%.
For those living near the Chesapeake Bay and the Tidal Potomac River, a sharp eye on developing weather conditions is advisable. As evening approaches, calm winds from the southwest could see gusts of up to 24 mph. The NWS projects, thunderstorms that could lead to hazardous conditions, with damaging winds and large hail flagged as the primary severe thunderstorm threats.
The forecast for Saturday anticipates more rain with showers and potentially another thunderstorm after 11 a.m. The winds responding from the west at 10 to 14 mph, gusting up to 23 mph, and the chance of precipitation remains high at 80%. The conditions are foreseen to improve markedly by Sunday, offering clear skies and a breath of relief with a high near a pleasant 73 degrees Fahrenheit and more subdued wind speeds.
For tonight, the lows are expected to bottom out around 58 degrees amidst ongoing showers and thunderstorms before yielding to clearer conditions later in the evening. "A wavy slow moving frontal system will meander about the area on Friday evening into the night," states the Flood Watch statement, signaling the risk of flash flooding where storm totals could ambitiously reach 2 to 3 inches, and in some areas, potentially 4 inches.
Looking ahead, the week seems to promise a stretch of sunnier skies, with high temperatures soaring to 91 degrees by midweek. Nights are expected to be mostly clear with lows gradually increasing to a balmy 70 degrees. However, our communities should not let their guard down as there is still a chance of showers on Thursday with a high near again 91 degrees and a 30% chance of precipitation.
