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Fairfax County will be under Wind Advisory starting Wednesday night

U.S., Virginia and Fairfax County flags on a pole blow in wind on a rainy day (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Updated at 10:25 a.m. on 2/28/2024 — The National Weather Service has moved up the start time for its Wind Advisory to 3 p.m. today (Wednesday).

Earlier: A Wind Advisory has been issued for the D.C. area, including Fairfax County.

The alert is currently scheduled to start at 6 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday) and continue until 4 a.m. Thursday (Feb. 29), according to the National Weather Service.

“Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result,” the NWS said, warning that winds could reach 20 to 30 mph with gusts of up to 50 mph.

The strong winds will conclude what’s expected to be a rainy day in the county. The NWS is forecasting a 100% chance of rain tomorrow, but temperatures could still reach a high of 63 degrees, continuing an abnormally warm February for the East Coast.

A cold front is anticipated following tomorrow night’s high winds, bringing temperatures slightly down on Thursday, according to the Capital Weather Gang.

The full Wind Advisory is below.

…WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM WEDNESDAY TO 4 AM EST THURSDAY…

* WHAT…West winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected.

* WHERE…Portions of central, north central, northeast and northern Maryland, The District of Columbia, central, northern, northwest and western Virginia and eastern and panhandle West Virginia.

* WHEN…From 6 PM Wednesday to 4 AM EST Thursday.

* IMPACTS…Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.

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JUST IN: Fairfax County Public Schools delays classes for possible snow

A rainy night lies ahead, as seen on a traffic camera at Gallows Road near Yorktowne Center in Merrifield (via VDOT)

Fairfax County Public Schools will start classes two hours late tomorrow (Tuesday) in case there’s snow.

No weather alerts have been issued for the county yet, but the National Weather Service’s current forecast indicates that rain is expected to continue through tonight, potentially turning into snow early in the morning.

“New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible,” the NWS says.

According to the Capital Weather Gang, weather models suggest the rain could turn into snow around 6-9 a.m., with the heaviest snowfall coming around 7-10 a.m.

Reston Community Center has already canceled all programs tomorrow, but its pool will open at 9 a.m.

Image via VDOT

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JUST IN: Fairfax County Public Schools cancels activities as storm moves in

A High Wind Warning has been issued for the D.C. area starting at 3 p.m. on Jan. 9 (via NWS/Twitter)

Updated at 3:35 p.m. — A Flood Warning has been issued until 11:30 p.m., for Northern Virginia, including Fairfax County, where “flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected.”

Earlier: Fairfax County Public Schools has called off all remaining activities on school grounds today (Tuesday) in anticipation of a strong rainstorm expected to last through this evening.

“Given the strength of the storm predicted to hit our area later this afternoon/evening, all activities scheduled in Fairfax County Public Schools or on school grounds for this afternoon and evening are canceled,” the school system said.

The cancellations apply to all extracurricular activities, team practices, after-school programs, field trips, adult classes and outside recreational programs by groups not affiliated with FCPS.

The announcement came as the National Weather Service warns that conditions will “deteriorate as a strong frontal system” passes through the D.C. region between 5 and 10 p.m. The rain that has been falling all day is projected to increase in intensity through the afternoon, becoming heaviest starting at 6 p.m.

“This will result high winds capable of downing trees and powerlines, tidal flooding, and the potential for flooding of small streams and creeks,” the NWS said in a special weather statement. “This will create hazardous travel conditions late this afternoon through late evening across the region.”

As previously forecast, a Flood Watch took effect at 1 p.m. and is set to remain in place until 7 a.m. tomorrow (Wednesday).

The NWS has also issued a High Wind Warning for 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. tomorrow and a Coastal Flood Warning for Fairfax County that will be in effect from 10 p.m. to 10 a.m.

Southeast winds could reach 25 to 40 mph with gusts of up to 60 mph, while low-lying areas may get 1 to 2 feet of water above ground level as a result of tidal flooding, according to the NWS.

“Tides up to 3 feet above normal,” the agency said in the flood warning. “Moderate tidal flooding is possible along the Prince Georges and Fairfax counties coastlines during tonight’s high tide cycle.”

Because of the strong winds, power outages are expected, and travel will be difficult, the Fairfax County Department of Emergency Management says, sharing tips for how to prepare and who to call in the event of an outage:

Take Action

  • Secure outdoor objects, including trash cans, holiday decorations and other items.
  • Be careful when you’re outside, especially around areas with lots of trees.
  • Charge phones in case of a power outage.
  • If you lose power, report your outage, use flashlights or battery-powered lanterns.

Who to Contact

Dominion Energy

Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative

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Another storm may bring flooding, strong winds to Fairfax County tomorrow

A Fairfax Connector bus travels on Maple Avenue during a rain storm on Jan. 6, 2023 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

In case you didn’t get your fill of rain on Saturday (Jan. 6), another downpour could be in store for Fairfax County this week.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch and a Wind Advisory for the mid-Atlantic region, including Fairfax County and the rest of northern Virginia, ahead of a storm that’s expected to travel up the East Coast tomorrow (Tuesday).

Issued this morning, the Flood Watch is currently set to take effect at 1 p.m. tomorrow and remain in place until 7 a.m. Wednesday (Jan. 10). The alert warns that flooding caused by “excessive rainfall” of two to three inches is possible.

The forecast indicates that the heaviest period of rain will come in the afternoon and evening.

“Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations,” the NWS said. “Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Low-water crossings may be flooded.”

The Wind Advisory will be in place from 3 p.m. tomorrow to 1 a.m. Wednesday. Southeast winds may reach 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph, according to the NWS.

“Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result,” the alert says.

According to the Capital Weather Gang, the incoming storm will be similar to the one that hit on Saturday, fueled by warm air from the south that will turn most of the precipitation into rain.

Forecasts last week suggested Fairfax County could get up to an inch of snow and sleet accumulation from Saturday’s winter storm. NWS data for the Dulles Airport area indicates that the 0.97 inches of precipitation recorded that day was mostly rain, though there were “trace” amounts of snow.

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Flash Flood Warning issued for southeast Fairfax County

Rain on brick walkway (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Rain, rain, it’s not going away just yet.

Another storm has emerged in the D.C. area, once again bringing the potential for flash flooding, according to the National Weather Service.

A Flash Flood Warning is in effect for southeastern Fairfax County, from Springfield to Mount Vernon and Lorton, until 7:30 p.m.

Excessive runoff may be particularly an issue in areas notably affected by thunderstorms yesterday (Monday) afternoon, when 2 to 4 inches of rain fell in the Springfield and Route 1 areas within the space of an hour.

“Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area,” the NWS said at 4:32 p.m. “Between 1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen. The expected rainfall rate is 1 to 3 inches in 1 hour. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are possible in the warned area.”

In Fairfax County, yesterday’s storms mainly resulted in power outages, but they had a deadly impact in D.C., where rapidly rising waters killed 10 dogs at a local canine day care.

A Flood Watch has also been issued until 8 p.m.

The full alert is below.

* Flash Flood Warning for…Southeastern Fairfax County in northern Virginia…

* Until 730 PM EDT.

* At 432 PM EDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen. The expected rainfall rate is 1 to 3 inches in 1 hour. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.
HAZARD…Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE…Radar and automated gauges.
IMPACT…Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include…

Alexandria… Springfield…Fort Hunt… Groveton…Huntington… Fort Belvoir…Burke… Lincolnia…Lorton… Franconia…Hybla Valley… Newington…I395 and I495 Interchange…West Springfield…Mount Vernon… North Springfield…Hayfield… Mason Neck…Jefferson Manor…

FLASH FLOOD…RADAR AND GAUGE INDICATED EXPECTED RAINFALL RATE…1-3 INCHES IN 1 HOUR

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D.C. area on Flood Watch with storms possible this afternoon

Rain at the Sully Place Shopping Center in Chantilly (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A Flood Watch is now in effect for the D.C. area, including Fairfax County.

The National Weather Service describes the chances of “slow-moving showers and thunderstorms” this afternoon into the early evening as “likely.”

Issued at 11:26 a.m., the alert will be in place until 8 p.m.

“A few inches of rain is possible in a short amount of time as a result, and may cause rapid rises of water on creeks, streams, urban and poor drainage areas, and in other flood-prone locations,” the NWS says.

Rain has become more plentiful in recent days after the D.C. region experienced drought conditions earlier this year. A storm on Wednesday (July 5) brought at least 1-4 inches of rain, according to the NWS, contributing to flooding and power outages, particularly in the central part of Fairfax County.

The full alert is below:

…FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING…

* WHAT…Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.

* WHERE…Portions of DC, Maryland, and northern Virginia, including the following areas: in DC, District of Columbia. In Maryland, Anne Arundel, Carroll, Central and Southeast Howard, Central and
Southeast Montgomery, Charles, Frederick MD, Northern Baltimore, Northwest Harford, Northwest Howard, Northwest Montgomery, Prince Georges, Southeast Harford, and Southern Baltimore. In northern Virginia, Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria, Central and Southeast Prince William/Manassas/Manassas Park, Eastern Loudoun, Fairfax, Northwest Prince William, Stafford and Western Loudoun.

* WHEN…Until 8 PM EDT this evening.

* IMPACTS…Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…
– A couple rounds of slow-moving showers and thunderstorms are likely this afternoon into this evening. A few inches of rain is possible in a short amount of time as a result, and may cause rapid rises of water on creeks, streams, urban and poor drainage areas, and in other flood-prone locations.

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Flash Flood Warning issued for part of Fairfax County amid downpour

A rain storm passes over central Fairfax (via NWS)

Rain is pouring down on Fairfax County, raising the risk of flooding.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for the central portion of the county, including Oakton, Annandale, Merrifield and Fairfax City.

In effect until 6:30 p.m., the warning anticipates up to 3 inches of rain in the affected areas. As of 3:25 p.m., between half-an-inch and 1.5 inches had already fallen.

“Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads,” the NWS said. “Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Basement flooding can occur quickly and create a life-threatening situation. If you are in a basement, or a residence below street level, move to a higher floor immediately.”

The full flood warning is below:

* Flash Flood Warning for…
Western Arlington County in northern Virginia…
Central Fairfax County in northern Virginia…
The Northwestern City of Alexandria in northern Virginia…
The City of Fairfax in northern Virginia…
The City of Falls Church in northern Virginia…

* Until 630 PM EDT.

* At 325 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 0.5 and 1.5 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

HAZARD…Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE…Radar.
IMPACT…Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

Updated at 4:30 p.m. — According to Fairfax Alerts, high water has closed Prosperity Avenue at Morningside Drive in the Mantua area.

As of 4:20 p.m., 926 Dominion Energy customers had lost electricity, according to the utility’s outage map.

The largest outages are in Springfield north of the Mixing Bowl, where 547 people are without power and the estimated time of restoration is 5-10 p.m. Another 147 customers have been affected by outages in Lincolnia, where power is expected to return between 7 p.m. and midnight.

Updated at 4:55 p.m. — Woodburn Road at Spicewood Drive has also closed as a result of high water, per Fairfax Alerts. The closure is located just south of Accotink Creek.

Updated at 6:25 p.m. — A Flood Warning has now been issued, extending to 9 p.m. The NWS says 1-4 inches of rain have fallen so far in the central Fairfax area, along with Alexandria, Arlington and Falls Church.

“Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring,” the NWS said. “Streams continue to rise due to excess runoff from earlier rainfall.”

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JUST IN: Flood Watch issued for D.C. area as winter storm looms

Dec. 22 Flood Watch advisory area (via Fairfax Alerts)

A major winter storm is headed for the D.C. area, just in time to disrupt holiday travel.

While the snow and ice created by a “bomb cyclone” is expected to stay further west, Fairfax County and the rest of the D.C. area are in for a downpour, according to the National Weather Service.

The NWS has already issued a Flood Watch for the region that’s set to be in effect from 11 a.m. tomorrow (Thursday) to 1 a.m. Friday (Dec. 23).

…FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE THURSDAY
NIGHT…

* WHAT…Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.

* WHERE…DC and portions of Maryland and northern Virginia, including the following areas: District of Columbia. In Maryland, Anne Arundel, Cecil, Central and Southeast Howard, Central and Southeast Montgomery, Prince Georges, Southeast Harford and Southern Baltimore. In northern Virginia, Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria, Fairfax and Prince William/Manassas/Manassas Park.

* WHEN…From Thursday morning through late Thursday night.

* IMPACTS…Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…
– Moderate rainfall is expected Thursday into Thursday evening, with rainfall totals of one to two inches. This may lead to isolated instances of flooding, especially in urban and poor drainage areas.

The Virginia Department of Transportation advises those planning to travel for Christmas to leave today instead of tomorrow, particularly if they’re going to be in the western half of the state.

“Crews have already begun pretreating and brining the roads and will begin deploying trucks early Thursday morning to treat roads as needed,” VDOT said in an advisory.

The department also warned that temperatures are expected to plummet into Friday, meaning fallen rain might refreeze into ice. Forecasts indicate this weekend may be the coldest Christmas in decades.

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Freezing rain possible overnight in the season’s first Winter Weather Advisory

Ice on tree branches in Reston (photo by Douglas H. Errett)

Updated at 8:05 p.m. — Fairfax County Public Schools will open two hours late tomorrow in response to the anticipated inclement weather.

Earlier: Fairfax County may get its first serious taste of winter weather for the season overnight.

A Winter Weather Advisory will be in place for the D.C. region from 1 a.m. to 1 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday), according to a National Weather Service alert issued this morning.

The NWS initially forecast that the anticipated freezing rain and ice could begin at 10 p.m. today but later revised the time frame.

“Wintry precipitation begins overnight and continues into Thursday morning,” the NWS said. “Warmer air should push in later Thursday morning into Thursday afternoon changing the precipitation to rain.”

More from the alert:

…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 1 PM EST THURSDAY…

* WHAT…Freezing rain expected. Total ice accumulations of a glaze to around one tenth of an inch. Highest ice amounts will be in the northern and western suburbs of Washington and Baltimore.

* WHERE…The Washington and Baltimore Metropolitan areas including the city of Baltimore and the District of Columbia as well as northeastern and central Maryland.

* WHEN…From 1 AM to 1 PM EST Thursday.

* IMPACTS…Difficult travel conditions are possible. The hazardous conditions will likely impact the morning commute on Thursday.

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department warns that the rain could affect tomorrow’s morning commute, and Fairfax Connector says it will be monitoring the potential storm, advising that riders watch out for slippery or icy sidewalks.

The Virginia Department of Transportation began mobilizing crews yesterday to prepare roads for the wintry precipitation, noting that it has made some procedural adjustments in the hopes of avoiding a repeat of January’s I-95 shutdown.

The risk of ice tomorrow is expected to be highest further to the west in Virginia, where an Ice Storm Warning has been issued.

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Flash Flood Warning in for Fairfax County, as storm takes out power

A power outage is affecting Pimmit Hills on Aug. 10, 2022 (via Dominion Energy)

An ongoing thunderstorm has taken out power for hundreds of Fairfax County residents, as the threat of flash flooding looms.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for the D.C. region that is set to remain in effect until 8 p.m.

According to the alert, between 1.5 and 2.5 inches of rain have fallen so far, and an additional 1 to 2 inches are possible. Areas of concern include Reston, Centreville, Annandale, Vienna, Falls Church, McLean, Great Falls, Chantilly, and Fairfax Station.

More than a thousand Dominion Energy customers have been affected by power outages since rain arrived in the area this afternoon, according to the utility company’s outage map.

The largest impact appears to be in Pimmit Hills, where 647 customers are without power. An outage affecting 328 people near Eagle View Elementary School in the Fairfax area is expected to be addressed between 6 and 11 p.m.

In the Herndon area, an outage at the Herndon Parkway and Sterling Road intersection has affected 221 customers. Dominion estimates that power will be restored there between 7 p.m. and midnight.

Herndon Parkway has been closed in both directions at Palmer Drive after an accident, according to the Town of Herndon Police Department. Power lines are down there.

The full Flash Flood Warning from the NWS is below: Read More

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