Another round of rain is expected to pass through the D.C. area this afternoon (Tuesday), potentially putting a damper on voting in the Democratic primary.
The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for the region, including Fairfax County, that’s currently set to take effect from 2-10 p.m.
The forecast for Fairfax County is showing a 20% chance of precipitation jumping to 40% in the evening.
“Some thunderstorms will contain heavy rainfall, with rain amounts of 1 to 2 inches in an hour or two,” the NWS said in its alert. “Storms may also train over the same areas causing the possibility of locally higher amounts around 3 to 5 inches.”
Persistent rain over the past couple of months, including storms that resulted in flooding last Friday (June 13) and Sunday (June 15), prompted the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to lift drought watches across the state yesterday.
The full Flood Watch is below:
…FLOOD WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH THIS EVENING…
* WHAT…Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible.
* WHERE…Portions of Maryland, including the following areas, Central and Eastern Allegany, Eastern Garrett, Extreme Western Allegany, Washington and Western Garrett, Virginia, including the following areas, Albemarle, Augusta, Central Virginia Blue Ridge, Central and Southeast Prince William/Manassas/Manassas Park, Clarke, Culpeper, Eastern Highland, Eastern Loudoun, Fairfax, Frederick VA, Greene, Madison, Nelson, Northern Fauquier, Northern Virginia Blue Ridge, Northwest Prince William, Orange, Page, Rappahannock, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Southern Fauquier, Warren, Western Highland and Western Loudoun, and West Virginia, including the following areas, Berkeley, Eastern Grant, Eastern Mineral, Eastern Pendleton, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Morgan, Western Grant, Western Mineral and Western Pendleton.
* WHEN…From 2 PM EDT this afternoon through this evening.
* IMPACTS…Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Low-water crossings may be flooded.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…
– Showers are likely with scattered to numerous thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. Some thunderstorms will contain heavy rainfall, with rain amounts of 1 to 2 inches in an hour or two. Storms may also train over the same areas causing the possibility of locally higher amounts around 3 to 5 inches. Heavy rain in a short period of time may cause rapid rises in creeks and streams as well as potential flash flooding in urban areas.
– Please visit www.weather.gov/safety/flood for flood safety and preparedness information
