After heavy rains and gusty winds overnight, the rain and potential flooding will continue through Thursday.
In Reston, there are many downed branches on roads and sidewalks. There are no major power outages reported.
More than two inches of rain fell overnight, hitting the southern portion of Fairfax County hard. A flood warning remains in effect until 10:45 a.m. for the areas closer to I-95 (Alexandria, Springfield, Burke, Fairfax City and others). Reston remains under a flood watch through Friday.
The Capital Weather Gang says and additional three inches of rain will fall today, and Reston may see a total of six inches by the time this front moves away on Friday.
Graphic: Storm front for Sept. 29/Credit: WeatherBell.com
Get your rain boots ready.
The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for Reston, Fairfax County and most of the Washington, DC, area for Wednesday night through Friday morning.
A front heading here from the Great Lakes is expected to dump several inches of rain. Here is the forecast:
AN UPPER LEVEL LOW PRESSURE OVER THE WESTERN GREAT LAKES WILL DROP SOUTHWARD INTO THE OHIO VALLEY WEDNESDAY INTO THURSDAY. AS THE UPPER LOW DROPS SOUTHWARD…
PERIODS OF HEAVY RAINFALL ARE ANTICIPATED LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT ACROSS THE CENTRAL MID-ATLANTIC. THE PERIOD OF GREATEST
RAIN RATES IS EXPECTED LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON.WIDESPREAD RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 3 TO 5 INCHES ARE EXPECTED WITH LOCALIZED HIGHER TOTALS IN AREAS OF REPEATED ACTIVITY.
* POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR FLASH FLOODING OF SMALL STREAMS…CREEKS AND URBAN AREAS ESPECIALLY IN AREAS OF REPEATED ACTIVITY.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.
YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.
Reston and most of the D.C. area are under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch from the National Weather Service until 12 p.m. Friday.
Forecasters say strong storms could hit the D.C. area this afternoon and evening.
From the National Weather Service:
DAMAGING THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. RESIDENTS ALL ACROSS THE BALTIMORE AND WASHINGTON DC METRO AREAS…NORTH AND CENTRAL VIRGINIA…MUCH OF MARYLAND AND THE EASTERN WEST VIRGINIA PANHANDLE SHOULD MONITOR THIS SITUATION VERY CLOSELY AND ENSURE YOUR NOAA WEATHER RADIOS ARE SET TO ALERT MODE. SEVERE WEATHER WARNINGS MAY BECOME NECESSARY. HERE ARE SOME SAFETY RULES TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN SEVERE WEATHER IS EXPECTED OR IS OCCURRING.
IF A WARNING IS ISSUED…SEEK SHELTER INDOORS IMMEDIATELY. A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM IS DEFINED AS PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE OR GREATER HAIL AND WIND GUSTS OF 58 MPH OR MORE.
Fairfax County is under a heat advisory for Thursday, July 14, which is expected to be the hottest day of the summer so far.
The National Weather Service (NWS)’s heat advisory will be in effect from from noon to 8 p.m. A heat advisory means that a period of high temperatures is expected.
Temperatures in the middle 90s combined with high humidity values will produce heat index values between 100 and 105 degrees. This combination of high temperatures and high humidity will create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible, says the Fairfax County Office of Emergency Information.
To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.
You also may visit any of the county’s Cooling Centers, held at county facilities such as senior centers, RECenters, community centers and libraries, for temporary respite from the heat.
Fairfax County, including Reston, is under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 10 p.m. tonight. From the National Weather Service:
ISOLATED SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. LOCALLY DAMAGING WIND GUSTS ARE THE PRIMARY THREAT.
LOCALLY HEAVY RAIN IS POSSIBLE WITH THE THUNDERSTORMS LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. IF REPETITIVE OR PERSISTENT THUNDERSTORMS OCCUR…ISOLATED FLASH FLOODING COULD OCCUR…PARTICULARLY IN URBAN AREAS.
Update, 5:30 p.m.: A Flash Flood Warning has been issued for northwestern Fairfax County until 8 p.m.
Original story: The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for a swath of Northern Virginia from Middleburg to Reston until 2 p.m. Tuesday.
The rest of Northern Virginia is under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 9 p.m. Tuesday.
⚠️ Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Sterling Park VA, Middleburg VA, Reston VA until 2:00 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/Vy6xXPoOB5
— NWS Severe Tstorm (@NWSSevereTstorm) June 21, 2016
The NWS says these storms could include damaging hail and high winds. NWS says there could be 80 mph wind gusts and two-inch hail in eastern Loudoun and western Fairfax from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
(Updated, 2:10 p.m. Thursday to add Severe Thunderstorm Watch)
The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch and a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Reston and the entire DC Metro area from this afternoon through late tonight.
Thunderstorms with heavy rainfall are expected late today and tonight, and repeated thunderstorms with heavy rainfall over the same area may result in flash flooding, the NWS says. The Severe Thunderstorm Watch will be in effect through 10 p.m. Thursday, the NWS says.
The Capital Weather Gang’s forecast says up to two or three inches may fall Thursday and early Friday in some parts of the area.
A flash flood watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding.
Spring’s fragile cherry blossoms may be blown to the ground by late tonight.
The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for Fairfax County and most of Northern Virginia through midnight Monday.
The NWS says the strongest winds will continue through early evening, then gradually diminish.
Winds are expected to be 20 to 30 miles per hour — with gusts up to 50 mph, the NWS says.
There could be scattered tree and power line damage and difficulty driving high-profile vehicles, the NWS said.
Wherever you are heading today, bring your umbrella and drive carefully.
The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for Reston, Fairfax County and most of the DC area. The Flood Watch is in effect from 10 a.m. Wednesday until midnight.
From the NWS:
Showers and thunderstorms, heavy at times, are expected to move Northeast across the area this afternoon into evening. Widespread rainfall amounts around one inch are expected, with localized high amounts up to 3 inches possible in areas of repeated activity.
Due to saturated ground, rains will turn into runoff with flooding of smaller streams and creeks possible. General inundation of low-lying and urban flooding in poor drainage areas also possible.
A flood watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts. You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible flood warnings.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch beginning late Sunday and lasting through Tuesday morning.
Here’s what to expect for Valentines Day and Presidents Day:
Temperatures in the teens and 20s that will feel like 10-20 degrees below zero with the wind chill. The NWS says to expect snow, sleet and freezing rain.
There is the potential of 5 inches of snow and sleet, as well as the potential for around a quarter inch of ice from freezing rain, says the NWS.
Timeline:
Snow will begin late Sunday night and continue through Monday before changing to sleet and freezing rain on Monday. Precipitation will end Tuesday afternoon.
Expect slippery roads and travel difficulties.
Update, 2 p.m. Friday: Fairfax County Public Schools have canceled all evening activities due to inclement weather.
A little bit of snow is likely heading here this evening. It’s not much, but it may be just enough to impact evening rush hour.
The Capital Weather Gang says about a half-inch of snow is expected to move through Northern Virginia about 6 p.m. But combined with very cold temperatures, that could make for icy roads and backed-up traffic, similar to what we saw on Jan. 20.
On Jan. 20, an early evening dusting turned short commutes into hours-long treks within Fairfax County and from DC to Northern Virginia.
The Virginia Department of Transportation says it will have 1,150 trucks deployed to continually treat roads by early afternoon. Crews began treating roads in advance yesterday and are finishing mid-day today, said VDOT.
Read more on the Capital Weather Gang and from the National Weather Service.
file photo
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Reston, Fairfax County and most of Northern Virginia from 10 p.m. Monday through Tuesday night.
Snow is heading here, with accumulations of 1 to 3 inches. Locally higher amounts are expected North and West of D.C.
The weather will begin as a mixture of rain and snow Monday night, turning to all snow after midnight. Periods of snow will continue into Tuesday, the NWS said.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is urging commuters to plan ahead for Tuesday morning’s commute.
VDOT says c rews have treated interstates and major roads in Fairfax and surrounding counties with brine and liquid magnesium chloride in advance of the snow. About 1,450 trucks will pre-deploy Monday night along interstates, main roads and neighborhood streets. They will remain on duty to plow and treat roads through the day Tuesday, says VDOT
More from the NWS:
EXPECT SNOW COVERED ROADS AND TRAVEL DISRUPTIONS.
WINDS…NORTH 5 TO 10 MPH.
TEMPERATURES…IN THE LOWER TO MIDDLE 30S.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES…AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.
Reston Now will keep you up to date on any school delays or closings, as well as road conditions.
Melting snow plus heavy rain could equal a big mess for Reston and the rest of Northern Virginia on Wednesday.
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch beginning at noon Wednesday through late Wednesday night for most of the Washington, DC area.
From the NWS:
… FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM NOON EST TODAY THROUGH LATE TONIGHT…
* THE COMBINATION OF MELTING SNOW AND PERIODS OF HEAVY RAIN COULD RESULT IN FLOODING OF URBAN AREAS AND STREAMS THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. RAINFALL AMOUNTS WILL AVERAGE BETWEEN ONE HALF AND ONE INCH… WITH ISOLATED SPOTS BETWEEN ONE AND TWO INCHES POSSIBLE.
* IN ADDITION… ICE MAY BE ON SOME OF THE SMALL STREAMS WHICH COULD ENHANCE THE FLOODING POTENTIAL.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A FLOOD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING BASED ON CURRENT FORECASTS. YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE ALERT FOR POSSIBLE FLOOD WARNINGS. THOSE LIVING IN AREAS PRONE TO FLOODING SHOULD BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLOODING DEVELOP.
Photo: Rain/Credit: Bahmad Farzad via Flickr
Get ready for Reston’s first winter snow — and it is expected to be a big one that dumps at least a foot of snow here.
The National Weather Service has issued a Blizzard Watch for the area for Friday and Saturday.
Here is the NWS’ report as of 11 a.m. Wednesday:
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON HAS ISSUED A BLIZZARD WATCH…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY
AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE SATURDAY NIGHT.HAZARD TYPES…HEAVY SNOW AND WIND. A WINTRY MIX IS POSSIBLE
FRIDAY NIGHT INTO SATURDAY MORNING EAST OF INTERSTATE
95…BEFORE CHANGING BACK TO ALL SNOW ON SATURDAY.ACCUMULATIONS…POTENTIAL FOR A FOOT OR MORE OF SNOW.
TIMING…FRIDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT. CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO DETERIORATE FRIDAY AFTERNOON WITH THE HEAVIEST SNOW…STRONGEST WINDS…AND POTENTIAL LIFE THREATENING CONDITIONS EXPECTED FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT.
IMPACTS…HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW WILL CAUSE DANGEROUS CONDITIONS AND WILL BE A THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY. TRAVEL IS EXPECTED TO BE SEVERELY LIMITED IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE STORM FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY. VISIBILITY WILL BE REDUCED TO NEAR ZERO AT TIMES IN WHITEOUT CONDITIONS.
WINDS…NORTHEAST 10 TO 15 MPH FRIDAY. NORTHEAST WINDS WILL INCREASE TO 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH FRIDAY NIGHT…THEN SHIFT NORTH SATURDAY THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
USE THIS ADVANCE NOTICE TO PLAN AHEAD! ADJUST TRAVEL PLANS…AND PLANNED ACTIVITIES. STOCK UP ON NECESSITIES. MAKE PLANS FOR ELDERLY FAMILY AND THOSE MOST AT RISK. PREPARE FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF
POWER OUTAGES DURING SNOWY AND COLD CONDITIONS. USE THIS TIME TO MINIMIZE IMPACT ON YOU…YOUR FAMILY…AND YOUR COMMUNITY.
Snow in Reston/2014 file photo
While some of the thick morning fog has gone away, the National Weather Service is telling drivers to be careful through Wednesday afternoon.
The NWS has issued a Dense Fog Advisory for Northern Virginia and most of the Washington, D.C., area until 2 p.m. In Reston, foggy areas can get even worse around the lakes.
From the NWS:
DENSE FOG ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON…
* VISIBILITIES… ONE QUARTER MILE OR LESS AT TIMES.
* IMPACTS… AREAS OF DENSE FOG WILL CAUSE SUDDEN AND GREAT REDUCTIONS IN VISIBILITY… RESULTING IN HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS.PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A DENSE FOG ADVISORY MEANS VISIBILITIES WILL FREQUENTLY BE REDUCED TO LESS THAN ONE QUARTER MILE. IF DRIVING… SLOW DOWN… USE YOUR LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS… AND LEAVE PLENTY OF DISTANCE AHEAD OF YOU.
