A strong coastal low pressure storm system that originated as widespread areas of severe weather across
the nation's heartland over the past 72 hours has brought heavy rain to the mid-Atlantic coastal region
of the United States over the past 18 to 24 hours. The nation's capital is bearing the brunt of this
heavy precipitation that is gradually moving north and east during the overnight hours. Rainfall totals could
reach 5 to 6 inches in the most saturated areas in northern Virginia, the city of Washington itself as well as
eastern Maryland (including Baltimore) from this storm before all is said and done. The National Weather Service
has issued two flood warnings for many locations along the Potomac River during this overnight period.
This same area of moderate to heavy rain is forecast to move toward Philadelphia and into primarily
the southern portions of the New York City metropolitan area later today.
Weather conditions aren't expected to improve for another 12 to 18 hours and in the meantime,
it is expected to be a raw Monday with temperatures not getting out of the 50s.
By Tuesday, sunny skies and temperatures rebounding to around 70°.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENTS by the National Weather Service in Sterling, Virginia on May 12, 2008A FLOOD WARNING is in effect until 5:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time.The National Weather Service in Sterling, Virginia has issued a Flood Warning for the following locations:
District of Columbia
Arlington County in northern Virginia
City of Alexandria, Virginia
City of Fairfax, Virginia
City of Falls Church, Virginia
Fairfax County in northern Virginia
At 11:31 PM EDT, radar indicated an area of very heavy rain over the Washington metropolitan area.
Over 3 inches have fallen across the area and another 2 to 3 inches will be possible through 5:30 AM EDT.
Some locations that will continue to be affected by the heavy rain include Alexandria, Annandale, Arlington,
Bailey's Crossroads, Ballston, Burke, Centreville, Chantilly, Fort Belvoir, Franconia, Great Falls, Herndon,
Hybla Valley, Lake Barcroft, Lincolnia, Lorton, McLean, Merrifield, Newington, Oakton, Reagan National Airport,
Reston, Rosslyn, Springfield, the I-395 and I-495 interchange, the I-66 and I-495 interchange, Tysons Corner,
Vienna, Wolf Trap, the American Legion Bridge, the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, Adams Morgan, Anacostia,
American University, Georgetown, Kenilworth, the city of Washington and the U.S. Capitol.
A Flood Warning means that flooding is imminent or has been reported.
Stream rises will be slow and flash flooding is not expected.
However, all interested parties should take necessary precautions immediately.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding.
If flooding is observed act quickly. Move up to higher ground to escape flood waters.
Do not stay in areas subject to flooding when water begins rising.A COASTAL FLOOD WARNING is in effect until 6:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time.The National Weather Service in Baltimore/Washington has issued a Coastal Flood Warning which is in effect
until 6:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time.
This mornings high tide cycle will run 2½ to 3 feet above normal. This will put the tidal Potomac north of
Aquia creek in Stafford County in flood. This includes the city of Alexandria, the city of Washington
including East Potomac Park and the easternmost parking areas of Reagan National Airport.
Here are the times of the next high tides along the Potomac River...
Aquia Creek, Virginia... 12:49 AM
Indian Head, Maryland... 2:21 AM
Washington (Maine Avenue wharf)... 2:35 AM
Alexandria, Virginia... 2:53 AM
Washington (Key Bridge)... 3:00 AM
A Coastal Flood Warning means that flooding is occurring or imminent. Coastal residents in the warned area
should be alert for rising water and take appropriate action to protect life and property.I will post the graphics pages as soon as I can.
WASHINGTONdowntown weather conditions from Capitol Hill as of 12:15 AM Eastern Time
51°heavy rain
Visibility: 3 miles
Humidity: 94%
Dew Point: 49°
Wind: NE at 5 MPH, gusting to 10 MPH
Barometric Pressure: 29.92 inches (stationary)
Ceiling: 2700 feet
Monday's air quality forecast: Good
METROPOLITAN AREA MAP OBSERVATIONS...Baltimore51°
heavy rain
Wind: NNE at 11 MPH, gusting to 24 MPH
Visibility: 2 miles
Humidity: 90%
Monday's forecast: 90% chance of morning rain. High near 55°.
Annapolis, MD54°
heavy rain
Wind: NNE at 17 MPH, gusting to 28 MPH
Visibility: 1 mile
Humidity: 92%
Monday's forecast: 90% chance of morning rain under windy conditions. High near 54°.
Easton, MD50°
rain and windy
Wind: E at 28 MPH, gusting to 36 MPH
Visibility: 4 miles
Humidity: 100%
Monday's forecast: 100% chance of rain under windy conditions with possible thunderstorms. High near 54°.
Huntingtown, MD52°
heavy rain
Wind: NNW at 10 MPH, gusting to 19 MPH
Visibility: 3 miles
Humidity: 97%
Monday's forecast: 90% chance of rain and windy. High near 54°.
Manassas, VA50°
overcast and windy
Wind: N at 22 MPH, gusting 31 MPH
Visibility: 10 miles
Humidity: 87%
Monday's forecast: 80% chance of morning rain and windy. High near 54°.
Leesburg, VA51°
heavy rain
Wind: NNE at 8 MPH, gusting to 18 MPH
Visibility: 4 miles
Humidity: 93%
Monday's forecast: 90% chance of morning rain. High near 53°.
OTHER REGIONAL OBSERVATIONS...Ronald Reagan National Airport53°
heavy rain and windy
Wind: N at 30 MPH, gusting to 36 MPH
Visibility: 3 miles
Humidity: 81%
Dulles International Airport50°
rain
Wind: NNE at 16 MPH, gusting to 26 MPH
Visibility: 4 miles
Humidity: 87%
Baltimore-Washington International Airport50°
heavy rain and windy
Wind: N at 20 MPH, gusting to 25 MPH
Visibility: 2 miles
Humidity: 89%
Alexandria, VA51°
heavy rain
Wind: S at 2 MPH
Visibility: 3 miles
Humidity: 92%
Camp Springs, MD (Andrews AFB)
50°
heavy rain and windy
Wind: N at 21 MPH, gusting to 30 MPH
Visibility: 4 miles
Humidity: 93%
Arlington, VA50°
heavy rain
Wind: Calm
Visibility: 3 miles
Humidity: 92%
Patuxent River Naval Air Station58°
overcast
Wind: ENE at 17 MPH, gusting to 31 MPH
Visibility: 3 miles
Humidity: 93%
Fairfax, VA50°
rain
Wind: Calm
Visibility: 3 miles
Humidity: 94%
Vienna, VA51°
heavy rain
Wind: NW at 2 MPH, gusting to 7 MPH
Visibility: 3 miles
Humidity: 96%
Bethesda, MD50°
heavy rain
Wind: SSW at 4 MPH
Visibility: 3 miles
Humidity: 91%
College Park, MD51°
overcast
Wind: NNE at 15 MPH, gusting to 23 MPH
Visibility: 4 miles
Humidity: 93%
Fort Belvoir, VA52°
heavy rain
Wind: NNW at 9 MPH, gusting to 18 MPH
Visibility: 5 miles
Humidity: 94%
Frederick, MD46°
heavy rain
Wind: NNE at 12 MPH, gusting to 18 MPH
Visibility: 10 miles
Humidity: 93%
Fredericksburg, VA51°
overcast
Wind: NW at 17 MPH, gusting to 25 MPH
Visibility: 5 miles
Humidity: 87%
Gaithersburg, MD48°
overcast
Wind: NE at 14 MPH, gusting to 24 MPH
Visibility: 7 miles
Humidity: 97%
Rockville, MD48°
overcast
Wind: ENE at 7 MPH
Visibility: 7 miles
Humidity: 94%
Silver Spring, MD49°
overcast
Wind: WNW at 3 MPH
Visibility: 4 miles
Humidity: 94%
36-HOUR FORECAST FOR WASHINGTON (through Tuesday)...(courtesy of the National Weather Service)
OVERNIGHTRain, possibly heavy at times under windy conditions. Low around 50°.
East wind between 22 to 24 MPH with gusts as high as 37 MPH. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
New rainfall amounts between ½ inch to ¾ inch possible.
LATER TODAYRain and windy, mainly before 12:00 PM. High near 55°.
North wind 7 to 10 MPH increasing to between 17 to 20 MPH.
Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between ½ inch to ¾ inch possible.
TONIGHTOvercast with a 40% chance of rain before midnight, then gradually becoming partly cloudy. Low around 46°.
North wind between 13 to 17 MPH. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
TUESDAYMostly sunny. High near 69°. North wind between 13 to 16 MPH.
Washington/Baltimore regional radar within the last 1 hour (courtesy of WJLA-TV)...