Flood Watch Affects Part Of NoVA As Soaking Rain Approaches

VIRGINIA — The flood watch in parts of Northern Virginia has been moved up to Friday night into Saturday afternoon as the National Weather Service expects much of the rain to fall within six hours overnight.

The flood watch will run from late Friday to Saturday afternoon in the District of Columbia, Fairfax County, Arlington County, Falls Church and Alexandria. During that time, forecasters expect rainfall between 1.5 inches and 2.5 inches, with much of it falling within six hours overnight Friday into early Saturday. That creates a flooding risk in urban areas, poor drainage areas and smaller streams.

Other areas are under a hazardous weather outlook, including Stafford County, Spotsylvania County, central and Southeast Prince William County, Manassas, Manassas Park and Loudoun County. In these areas, soaking rain will make flooding possible, especially in urban and poor drainage areas.

The Capital Weather Gang expects showers to turn into "steadier rain," Friday night. Then, rain could turn heavier overnight before the sun comes up. On Saturday morning, forecasters say rain could be heavy particularly during the morning.

Coupled with highs in the 50s in the 40s, the soaking rain may convince area residents to stay indoors during the early weekend. Rain should taper off during late afternoon or evening. However, winds could become stronger and reach 35 mph later in the day, the Capital Weather Gang says.

Here is the National Weather Service forecast for the next few days in D.C. and Northern Virginia"

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57. At night, rain, mainly after 11 p.m. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 46. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent.

Saturday: Rain, mainly before 2 p.m. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 56. Breezy, with an east wind 7 to 12 mph becoming north 18 to 23 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. At night, a chance of rain before 8 p.m., cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 33. Breezy, with a north wind 22 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30 percent at night.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 55. North wind 15 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. At night, mostly clear, with a low around 34.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 57. At night, partly cloudy, with a low around 39.

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. A chance of rain after 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.