Saturday washout: Heavy rain this weekend brings flood risk – WTOP News

Drenching downpours late Friday night into Saturday afternoon will bring flood risks this weekend.

A flood watch for most of the broader D.C. region goes into effect at 2 a.m. Saturday and lasts until 2 p.m., the National Weather Service said.

The rain is expected to spread over most of the D.C. area by about 10 p.m., according to 7News First Alert meteorologist Eileen Whelan.

Rain is expected to intensify in the overnight hours, bringing the threat of localized flooding.

The weather service said rainfall of between 1.5 to 2.5 inches is expected from late Friday night to Saturday afternoon.

Sun to start with increasing clouds this afternoon & rain arriving from the south this evening. Moderate to heavy rain is expected at times through Sat. AM. Rain amounts of 1.50-2.50″ expected along & east of the Blue Ridge. Rain exits late Saturday. #MDwx #VAwx #WVwx #DCwx pic.twitter.com/fw574P9OwX

— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) March 22, 2024

“The bulk of the rain is expected to fall overnight Friday into early Saturday morning within roughly a six hour window,” the weather service said. “This may result in flooding of urban and poor drainage areas, as well as on smaller streams.”

After the rain ends, expect some gusty winds to stick around, according to the 7News forecast.

Full 7News First Alert weekend forecast

FRIDAY:
Partly cloudy, breezy
Highs: 52-58 degrees
Winds: Southeast 5-15 mph, gusts to 20 mph
Freezing temperatures are expected to start the day with wake-up temperatures in the upper 20s to low 30s. It will be seasonable by the afternoon with highs in the 50s. Clouds will increase late in the day ahead of our next weather maker. Wet weather will overspread the DMV tonight (after 9 p.m. for most).

FRIDAY NIGHT:
Showers, areas of rain
Lows: 40s
Winds: Southeast 10-20 mph
A flood watch will begins at 2 a.m. Rain intensity will increase overnight with the potential for localized flooding.

SATURDAY:
FLOOD WATCH 2AM-2PM
Moderate to heavy rain
Highs: 50s
Winds: Northeast 10-20 mph, gusts to 30 mph
Areas of moderate to heavy rain during the morning will taper to showers during the afternoon. Rainfall totals are trending between 1 to 3 inches, with the heaviest rain falling east and along the I-95 corridor. A flood watch has been posted for all areas inside the beltway and surrounding counties. Localized flooding is possible. Northwesterly will increase during the afternoon with windy conditions expected at night. Wind gusts over 30 mph are likely after 7 p.m.

SUNDAY:
Mostly sunny, blustery
Highs: Around 55 degrees
Winds: North 10-20 mph, gusts to 35 mph
You’ll wake up to wind chills in the 20s Sunday morning. Sunday will be blustery and brighter with sunshine and highs in the mid 50s. Northwesterly winds will gust over 30 mph during the first half of the day. The wind will decrease during the afternoon

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