Prepare for a nasty Tuesday afternoon, which will be windy and wet.
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch for parts of the D.C. region from Tuesday afternoon through the evening. It includes the District; Anne Arundel, Carroll, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s and Baltimore counties in Maryland; and Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria and Fairfax in Virginia.
The rain is expected to begin shortly after noon, intensifying by 3 p.m. when the wind will also pick up.By 8 p.m., we can expect moderate to heavy rain -- a half-inch to an inch most places, but up to two inches possible in some places -- and wind gusts of up to 40-45 mph, said StormTeam 4 Meteorologist Tom Kierein.
Some areas could experience flooding by 10 p.m., and small streams and creeks could overflow low-lying roads. Drivers should never attempt to drive through standing water, as it can be deeper and stronger than it appears.
It’s possible the precipitation could start as sleet, but it likely will be too warm. Expect highs in the low 40s, but wind chills will be in the 30s.
Further west, a winter weather advisory will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. along the I-81 corridor, where sleet and freezing rain, which could start as snow, are possible, said StormTeam 4 Chief Meteorologist Doug Kammerer said. Ice accumulation could cause slick conditions.
The rain should move out Wednesday morning, and there might be some sunshine that afternoon.
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