WASHINGTON — It’s a good morning to stay indoors, brew up a second pot of coffee — and avoid some potentially flooded roads.
The downpours that have saturated the D.C. area will continue into lunchtime Saturday. The heaviest rain will fall before noon, but periods of moderate rain are likely to continue throughout the afternoon and well into the evening.
“We could see a total of 3 to 7 inches of rainfall before the low pressure center departs late tomorrow,” said Storm Team4 meteorologist Steve Prinzivalli.
Higher precipitation amounts appear most likely from the D.C. area up along Interstate 270 and out along I-66.
Please note: This is a potentially life-threatening weather situation.
Saturday
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The National Weather Service said more than 5 inches of rain fell in Montgomery County, Maryland, early Saturday morning.
The D.C. area’s break from the summer heat, fortunately, is set to continue through the weekend. “With the stubborn clouds and raindrops, temperatures will only reach the middle 70s,” Prinzivalli said.
Drier air will move into the area Saturday afternoon. And Sunday will be the day to get outside and enjoy some sunshine: Highs will reach the middle 80s, but the humidity will stay low.
Monday through Thursday will remain mild and dry as well, with temperatures inching up into the high 80s.
Flash flood watch
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch until Saturday afternoon for the following locations in the WTOP listening area:
- Calvert County, Maryland
- St. Mary’s County, Maryland
- Baltimore County, Maryland
- Anne Arundel County, Maryland
- Prince George’s County, Maryland
- Howard County, Maryland
- Charles County, Maryland
- Carroll County, Maryland
- Montgomery County, Maryland
- District of Columbia
- Alexandria County, Virginia
- Arlington County, Virginia
- Fairfax County, Virginia
- Stafford County, Virginia
- Prince William County, Virginia
- Loudoun County, Virginia
- Fauquier County, Virginia
- Frederick, Virginia
- Spotsylvania County, Virginia
- Stafford County, Virginia,
- Washington, D.C.
Flood Warning
- D.C. (until 6 a.m.)
- Northwestern Prince George’s County, Maryland (until 6 a.m.)
- East-central Fairfax County, Virginia (until 6 a.m.)
At 3 a.m. Saturday, flooding was reported across the area, with stream gauges in Annandale, Huntington in Virginia, along Rock Creek and the Anacostia River from Riverdale downstream in D.C., all in flood or rapidly nearing flood stage.
Weekend forecast and beyond
The heaviest rain on Saturday will fall before noon, but periods of moderate rain are likely to continue throughout the afternoon and well into the evening.
Much like in a winter storm, the higher precipitation amounts appear most likely from the D.C. metro area up Interstate 270 and out along Interstate 66.
North winds between 15 and 30 mph are expected Saturday afternoon.
Roads
Heavy rainfall may result in rapid rises in streams and creeks, which could result in flooding, especially in low-lying areas or places with poor drainage.
Keep in mind the weather conditions as you plan your commute. Visit WTOP’s traffic page for the latest updates, follow WTOP on Twitter @WTOPtraffic, and listen to live traffic reports every 10 minutes on 103.5 FM or via our online stream.
Power outages
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