The Flood Watch has been expanded to cover all of Virginia from this evening through Saturday morning, when 1"-3" of rain is expected to fall. A developing low pressure center off the Southeast Coast will track northward tonight over Central Virginia into Saturday, providing the lift needed for precipitation. In addition, ample moisture will be in place as easterly surface flow ushers in moisture from the Atlantic, which will allow heavy rainfall to occur. Here is a snapshot of the surface observations from shortly after 11 a.m. Friday:
Rain from this developing low currently off the coast of South Carolina will expand into Central VA later this afternoon, and rain will be heavy at times this evening and overnight while the low tracks northward. This system will be east of the Chesapeake Bay mid-day Saturday, with heavy rain over much of Central Virginia, especially along I-64. Rain will gradually diminish Saturday night, but scattered showers will linger into Sunday. Flooding will be an issue in urban areas with poor drainage, especially when the rain is heavy. You can also expect ponding on the roads, flooding in the usual low-lying spots, and also in gullies, creeks, streams, and drainage ditches. Remember never to drive on roads covered with water. You cannot tell if the road underneath has washed out!
