* Flood warnings for large part of region, including the Potomac River *

4:05 p.m. – River flooding expected along Potomac River by Monday, warnings issued

Radar shows heavy rain continuing to feed into the area from the east, and streams and creeks are overflowing their banks. We should see rain, with some moderate to heavy bursts, into the evening.

While the Potomac is not at flood stage yet, all of the water spilling into it from tributaries will lead to flooding starting Monday.

The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for the Potomac River at River Falls from Monday morning through Wednesday afternoon. The river is expected to exceed flood stage of 10 feet Monday and then crest at 12.9 feet Tuesday morning. At 12 feet, the C&O Canal overflows at the Great Falls Tavern and water covers the towpath in many areas.

Along the Tidal Potomac, including Georgetown, the Southwest Waterfront, and Alexandria, a coastal flood warning is in effect starting noon Monday when water is expected to rise one to three feet above normal at high tide.

2:45 p.m. – Flood warning issued for the District and nearby areas

The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for the District, southern Montgomery County, eastern and central Fairfax County (including Alexandria, Arlington and Falls Church) and west central Prince William County until 8:45 p.m.

“Stream gauges indicate Cameron Run near Alexandria, Rock Creek in the northwest District of Columbia, and Sligo Creek near Takoma Park may be flooding soon,” the Weather Service said.

Per our 2:05 p.m. update, avoid driving near creeks and streams through this evening. While rain may ease some later this afternoon, radar suggests we have at least another hour or two of heavy rainfall. One to inches of rain have already fallen in this zone and another inch or so is possible.

2:05 p.m. – Multiple flood warnings in effect due to downpours

The rain is widespread and, in quite a few places, torrential. Flood warnings are in effect in several areas:

  • North of the District: Eastern Montgomery County, northern Prince George’s County, southern Howard County, and northwest Anne Arundel County, until 6:45 p.m.
  • South of the District: Stafford County into Spotsylvania County, including the Fredericksburg area, until 6:00 p.m.
  • Far western areas: West and southwest of Loudoun County through the Interstate 81 corridor.

Even in areas not under flood warnings, there is high water.

Widespread rainfall amounts have reached at least an inch (Reagan National Airport has received 1.37 inches in the last six hours), with some areas seeing up to 3 to 5 inches. This is causing flooding of low-lying areas and creeks and streams. Don’t try to drive across flooded roads and it’s best to avoid routes where there are creeks and streams as many are overflowing.

Short-term modeling suggests the intensity of the rain could ease some over the next few hours, first in our eastern areas and then to the west, but please use care around areas of high water.

10:15 a.m. — Periods of rain continue with some flooding still possible

After some spots got by with not too much rain yesterday, the totals are starting to mount up this morning already. Since 7 a.m., Reagan National Airport has received 0.38 inches and Dulles International Airport 0.36 inches. That brings the two-day storm total at Dulles to 1.58 inches (only 0.43 inches at National) with more to come. Many places could receive another half-inch to an inch today, with localized heavier amounts possible. Thus, the flood watch continues through this afternoon.

TODAY’S DAILY DIGIT
A somewhat subjective rating of the day’s weather, on a scale of 0 to 10.

5/10: Cool and damp conditions — not the greatest for yard work, but at least your A/C won’t be putting in overtime.

EXPRESS FORECAST

Today: Mostly cloudy, cool and damp. Highs: mid-60s
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, showers diminishing. Lows: mid-50s to near 60
Tomorrow: Partly sunny, shower? Highs: mid-70s

View the current weather at The Washington Post.

FORECAST IN DETAIL

Well, we’re not expecting any bluebird skies with wall-to-wall sunshine anytime soon, but at least we start to dry out some after today. First, though, we’ll need to get past today’s generally gray and damp conditions with temperatures well below normal. The first half of the workweek looks quite nice temperature-wise, with some showers possible late Tuesday.

Listen to the latest forecast:

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Today (Sunday): Flow from the north-northeast has us rather gray, cool and damp out there. The cool and stable air means fewer heavy downpours than yesterday, but areas of lighter showers or drizzle are possible, and a few pockets of moderate rain could keep the flood risk going in some spots. Temperatures go nowhere fast, holding mainly in the mid-60s with a 10- to 15-mph breeze from the northeast. Medium-High

Tonight: Shower chances diminish this evening and especially overnight as low pressure moves away, but drizzle and fog may linger. Winds turn more from the north, which helps bring in drier air as lows drop to the mid-50s to near 60 with mostly cloudy skies. Medium-High

Follow us on , , and for the latest updates. For related traffic news, check out Gridlock. Keep reading for the forecast through midweek …

Tomorrow (Monday): We’re decidedly cooler and drier to start the new workweek. Skies turn partly sunny as winds breeze in from the northwest around 15 mph, with highs in the mid-70s and just a slight chance of a shower. Medium-High

Tomorrow night: Skies trend mostly clear as winds diminish. Overnight lows drop to the upper 50s to low 60s. Medium-High

A LOOK AHEAD

Morning sun on Tuesday gives way to increasing afternoon clouds as mild highs reach the mid- to upper 70s. A front sagging southward into the region brings a chance of scattered showers by late afternoon into evening, before overnight lows settle in the mid- to upper 50s. Low-Medium

Expect a mix of sun and clouds on Wednesday with an isolated shower possible if the front lingers nearby. Otherwise temperatures remain pleasant, with highs reaching the mid-70s. Medium