PM Update: Heavy rain this evening could cause flooding after record high temperatures – The Washington Post

10:15 p.m. — Much of D.C. and Baltimore metro areas under flood warnings
Moderate to heavy rain continues to fall across the area, and actually spans the entire I-95 corridor from Richmond to Baltimore. Much of the region is under flood warnings through late tonight with scattered reports of flooding happening now. Still a couple of hours of rain to go for most of us.
8:40 p.m. — Flood warning issued for D.C., inside the Beltway and a bit beyond until 2:30 a.m.
We now have another flood warning, this one for the District, areas inside the Beltway and a bit beyond until 2:30 a.m. (see area shaded red below). Combined with the earlier warning, all of Fairfax County is now under a flood warning. Flooding is ongoing or expected begin soon in parts of the warned area. Good idea to stay off the roads. If you have to be out, drive with extreme caution and don’t try to cross a flooded road.
7:25 p.m. — Flood warning for western Fairfax County and part of Prince William County around Manassas
A flood warning has been issued until 1:15 a.m. for much of western Fairfax County and a small portion of Prince William County including Manassas (see area shaded in red below). Flooding is ongoing or expected to begin soon in parts of the warned area where 1 to 2 inches of rain have fallen, with another 1 to 2 inches expected. Do not attempt to cross a flooded road, it doesn’t take much water to float a vehicle.
6:00 p.m. — Flash flood watch issued until 2 a.m. for up to 4 inches of rain
Strong to locally severe storms are sweeping across the region from south to north with very heavy rain. While severe thunderstorm warnings (in effect until 6:30 p.m.) have been issued for areas west and northwest of the Beltway for possible damaging wind gusts, the main hazard this evening may well be heavy rainfall.
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for the region due to the potential for 1 to 2 inches of rainfall and locally as much as 4 inches.
“Heavy rain in a short amount of time may result in rapid rises of water on small creeks and streams and in urban areas,” the Weather Service cautioned.
Rain and embedded thunderstorms with heavy downpours are likely to continue until midnight or so.
(6:45 p.m. update: There is also a severe thunderstorm watch until 1 a.m. heading south of D.C. including Southern Maryland and Stafford County in Virginia for the possibility of locally damaging wind gusts, an isolated tornado and large hail.)
Original forecast from 4:50 p.m.
Today felt as if we stepped back to mid-September. Both Washington Dulles International Airport and Baltimore-Washington International Marshall Airport set record highs for the date in the upper 70s. Washington rose to at least 80, tying the Oct. 25 record from 1902.
It’s all about to come to an end as a cold front marching this way from the west promises a bumpy evening. Then a massive coastal storm wraps up to our northeast, and winds crank up into Tuesday. Chilly winds. Here comes some change!
Bomb cyclone to blast Northeast with heavy rain and howling winds
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Through Tonight: Showers and storms will converge on the area early this evening. Some of this activity could be strong to severe, with the potential for heavy rain and perhaps isolated wind damage. The heaviest rain will end by late evening, although it may hang on into the night for areas well east of the city, and some additional showers are possible through dawn. Winds will shift to the northwest, blowing around 10 mph and increasing toward sunrise.
Severe storms threaten Mid-Atlantic on Monday after Sunday’s tornado swarm in Missouri
As much as two inches or more may fall in any areas that see repeated showers and storms pass by. Be alert for some localized flooding after dark.
View the current weather at The Washington Post.
Tomorrow (Tuesday): Fall will come roaring back. Temperatures may feel like a bit of a shock after today, but they’re pretty close to normal for late October. Highs will be mainly in a near 60 to mid-60s zone. Of course, it’s the “wind chill” that matters, and with a big storm cranking up to our northeast we’re looking at winds out of the northwest around 15 to 25 mph, and gusting near 40 to 45 mph.
Skies will probably be cloudy, but maybe with some sunnier moments — though some afternoon showers or sprinkles are possible as well.
See Jason Samenow’s forecast through the weekend. And if you haven’t already, join us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For related traffic news, check out Gridlock.
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