DC, Baltimore: Flooding Risk to Escalate Into Next Week

By Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist

September 29,2015; 9:53PM,EDT

 

 

As multiple storm systems, which may include Joaquin, converge on the Eastern United States, the stage is set for rounds of significant flooding in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore into next week.
Each round of rain will become more intense. The same may be true for wind-related issues on the Eastern Shore and tide levels from the Atlantic coast to the Chesapeake Bay and lower Potomac River.
The combination of fronts, tropical moisture, non-tropical systems and perhaps Joaquin will bring heavy rain, urban and small stream flooding, coastal flooding, beach erosion and significant travel delays.

Widespread Flooding a Major Risk for the East this Week

The pattern has the potential to unload more than 6 inches of rain on the region. Some locations could receive a foot of rain over the approximate one-week period.
The first round of rain and risk of urban flooding will occur into Wednesday morning. The heaviest rain with this batch will slip just north and west of Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
RELATED:
Detailed Washington, D.C. Forecast
Maryland/Virginia Interactive Weather Radar
AccuWeather MinuteCast® for Washington, D.C.
The second round is likely Friday into Saturday and is likely to bring small stream flooding as well as significant urban flooding. Onshore winds will increase and will lead to beach erosion and coastal flooding at times of high tide.

How serious the rain and flash and urban flooding get Sunday into Monday will depend on how much a non-tropical storm taps into Joaquin's moisture. There is the chance Joaquin may be pulled onshore.

While the situation early next week is not likely to be as destructive as Isabelle, Irene or Sandy, even if Joaquin is drawn in, the weather pattern will likely lead to property damage, major travel disruptions and risk to lives due to flooding.