Though the sun was shining over Fairfax County this morning, the weather is expected to take a rainy turn soon.
The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for the D.C. region, warning of “excessive rainfall” that may lead to “scattered instances of flooding.”
The watch will take effect at 6 a.m. tomorrow (Tuesday) and is currently scheduled to remain until 6 a.m. on Wednesday (May 14). However, the forecast shows an 80% chance of precipitation starting tonight.
“While showers will spread into the area today, a prolonged period of moderate to heavy rain with embedded thunderstorms is expected late tonight into Tuesday night,” the NWS said. “Rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches are likely.”
According to the Capital Weather Gang, the incoming rain is part of an “atmospheric river” of moisture that’s emerging along the East Coast from Florida, where it created a waterspout and tornado near Pensacola over the weekend.
In Fairfax County and the rest of the D.C. area, the rain could help alleviate a drought that has persisted for months despite snow and occasional rainstorms.
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) has kept a drought watch in place since July 29, 2024, advising area residents and businesses to conserve water as much as possible. As of May 2, Virginia has 44 counties, including the entirety of Northern Virginia, under a drought watch advisory.
Groundwater levels in Northern Virginia are at emergency status, and precipitation remains insufficient, though reservoir and water flow levels are “normal,” according to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. The state’s Drought Monitoring Task Force is scheduled to meet for an update tomorrow.
The full Flood Watch from the NWS is below.
…FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE TUESDAY NIGHT…
* WHAT…Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible.
* WHERE…Portions of western Maryland, including the following areas, Central and Eastern Allegany, Eastern Garrett and Extreme Western Allegany, Virginia, including the following areas, Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria, Central and Southeast Prince William/Manassas/Manassas Park, Clarke, Culpeper, Eastern Loudoun, Fairfax, Frederick VA, Northern Fauquier, Northwest Prince William, Orange, Southern Fauquier, Spotsylvania, Stafford and Western Loudoun, and West Virginia, including the following areas, Berkeley, Eastern Mineral, Hampshire, Jefferson, Morgan and Western Mineral.
* WHEN…From Tuesday morning through late Tuesday night.
* IMPACTS…Excessive runoff may result in flooding of creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Low-water crossings may be flooded.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…
– While showers will spread into the area today, a prolonged period of moderate to heavy rain with embedded thunderstorms is expected late tonight into Tuesday night. Rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches are likely, with locally higher amounts possible along the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Alleghenies. This rainfall may lead to scattered instances of flooding.
– Please visit www.weather.gov/safety/flood for flood safety and preparedness informationPRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.
