Flash Flood Watch underway for parts of the DC metropolitan area

WASHINGTON (ABC7) — Be sure to grab your umbrellas and raincoats before heading out this afternoon! The DC area is under a flood watch starting at 6:00 p.m. tonight and extending until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Rain totals will range from 1-2 inches, with some areas seeing higher amounts. The National Weather service as expanded the Flood Watch to include a portion of western Virginia, including the following areas: Eastern Highland and Western Highland.

From Saturday morning through late Saturday night, moderate rainfall is expected with heavy rain in some parts of the area. Rainfall amounts of 1.5 to 2.5 inches are most likely, with higher amounts of 3 to 4 inches possible.

As a precaution, a Flood Watch means 'there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts.' If you are outside and are traveling, be sure to monitor the forecast and be alert for possible Flood Warnings.

Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action, if flooding permits.

The Washington area will easily break the record for the wettest year since 1889.

From the National Weather Service:

Rain totals continue to creep upward, with Baltimore setting the annual rainfall record already. Here are the current rankings for wettest year on record (through December 10th):

Washington DC area (DCA)

1. 61.33 inches (1889)

2. 60.83 inches (2003)

3. 60.78 inches (2018)

4. 60.09 inches (1878)

Weather records for the Washington DC area have been kept at what is now Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) since 1945. Precipitation records observed downtown extend the period of record back to 1871.

Dulles VA area (IAD)

1. 65.67 inches (2003)

2. 61.30 inches (2018)

3. 59.05 inches (1972)

Weather records have been kept at what is now Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) since 1960.

Baltimore MD area (BWI)

1. 65.67 inches (2018)

2. 62.66 inches (2003)

Weather records for the Baltimore MD area have been kept at what is now Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) since 1950. Precipitation records observed downtown extend the period of record back to 1871.

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