Flash Flood Watch in effect tonight for Fairfax County

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for much of the D.C. area, including Fairfax County.

In effect until 2 a.m. tomorrow (Tuesday), the alert says showers and thunderstorms could bring up to 4 inches of rain in some areas, potentially leading to rapidly rising stream and creek waters.

The full alert is below:

…FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM EDT TUESDAY…

The National Weather Service in Sterling Virginia has issued a

* Flash Flood Watch for portions of DC, Maryland and northern Virginia, including the following areas: in DC, District of Columbia. In Maryland, Anne Arundel, Central and Southeast Howard, Central and Southeast Montgomery, Prince Georges and Southern Baltimore. In northern Virginia, Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria and Fairfax.

* Until 2 AM EDT Tuesday.

* Showers and thunderstorms are expected to produce 1 to 2 inches of rain through this evening, with localized amounts of up to 4 inches possible. Heavy rain in a short amount of time may result in rapid rises of water on small creeks and streams and in urban areas.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is also in effect for Reston and Herndon until 6:30 p.m., with the NWS warning of 60 mile-per-hour wind gusts that could produce power outages and downed trees.

“At 544 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from South Riding to Herndon to Wolf Trap, moving northeast at 50 mph,” the agency said.

With the potential for multiple rounds of showers & thunderstorms into the overnight, a Flash Flood Watch has been issued for the DC metro into parts of northeast MD through 2 AM Tuesday. Flash flooding is possible in small streams and urban areas. Latest: https://t.co/5RyZgoXicj pic.twitter.com/qfUSunieBQ

— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) October 25, 2021