Alert archive / Maryland / Flash Flood Warnings in 2018

Flash Flood Warning 52, NWS Baltimore/Washington

July 21, 2018Montgomery County, Maryland

NWS Baltimore/Washington issued this flash flood warning at Jul 21, 2018, 9:01 PM EDT for Montgomery County, Maryland. It was in force for 3 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Jul 21, 2018, 9:01 PM EDT (01:01 UTC)
Expired
Jul 22, 2018, 12:00 AM EDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Baltimore/Washington
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

County Montgomery County, MD

The radar

The Sterling radar (KLWX), 30 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:01 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Baltimore/Washington wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Jul 21, 3:27 PM EDT, 5 hours 34 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 21, 3:27 PM EDT, 5 hours 34 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
327 PM EDT Sat Jul 21 2018

.SYNOPSIS...
An area of low pressure will move north across the Delmarva
Peninsula. Meanwhile, a broad and slow moving low pressure
system will drop from the Upper Midwest into the southern
Appalachians by the end of the weekend. This low will continue
to influence the Mid Atlantic during the early part of the
coming week.

&&

.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM SUNDAY MORNING/...
Low pressure is over northeast North Carolina and will continue
a track northward near the Delmarva Peninsula through this
evening. Moderate to locally heavy rain has spread across
the eastern half of the forecast area. Advection of tropical
airmass by a low level jet wrapping around the low will provide
efficient rain rates. While some of the heaviest rain rates
will be near the low track, a longer-duration band is setting up
from approximately Richmond to Frederick MD on the nose of the
low level jet. This feature was the basis of the earlier
expansion of the Flash Flood Watch. Am not sure if the high end
totals in some hi-res guidance may be realized since instability
is limited, but a lot of rain is on the way nevertheless. A few
rumbles of thunder can't be ruled out along the low track but
are overall unlikely. See WPC Mesoscale Precipitation Discussion
500 for more details on the synoptic and mesoscale players with
this system. A few comments on hydrology are also in the
section below.

A few showers or thunderstorms may graze southwestern portions
of the area as well where there is a little more sun, but this
threat will diminish this evening. The low moves north of the
area later tonight, though a bit slower than earlier projected.
Rain may last until 3 AM or so for northern Maryland, but will
be on a downward trend by that time. Off and on light rain or
drizzle could continue in convergent surface flow. Light fog and
low clouds will also predominated much of the night.

&&

.SHORT TERM /6 AM SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/...
For Sunday and Monday, upper low will be drifting south to our
west. This mean copious moisture will continue to be drawn into
the region with nearly constant chances of showers and
thunderstorms. While there will be some diurnal component,
especially to convective elements, forcing and moisture will
support chances of rain through the nights as well. Details
regarding timing and locations of heaviest rain will be ironed
out as finer scale features are identified. Unidirectional flow
and/or southeast low level flow into the terrain could enhance
the threat for locally heavy rain at times. High temperatures
will be below normal in the 80s, while lows remain in the 60s
to lower 70s due to the high dew points.

&&

.LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
The upper low will remain anchored to our southwest through
Thursday, thanks to a blocking upper-level ridge over the northern
Atlantic. Multiple fluxes of moisture from the southeast and south,
along with the meandering trough of low pressure will induce several
rounds of showers and thunderstorms through Thursday night.
Expecting the shower and thunderstorm activity to peak during the
warmest part of the afternoon each day. Although we are currently
not anticipating widespread flooding, PWAT values approaching and
exceeding 2 inches will provide plenty of moisture for heavy
rainfall with any showers or storms. This could potentially
lead to some flooding concerns over localized areas through this
period, if heavy rain sits over one area long enough. With
constant cloud cover throughout this period, expect high
temperatures in the mid 80s, with lows only in the low to mid
70s.

The Upper level ridge over the northern Atlantic should begin to
break down and move east late Thursday into Friday. This will allow
for that stubborn upper-level trough to move out of the area.
However, the chance of showers and a few thunderstorms still linger
Friday and Friday night because of the added lift of a front. High
temperatures will be closer to normal as we could see a southwest
wind develop along a weak boundary as it moves east.

&&

.AVIATION /19Z SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
Low pressure is moving up the coast with widespread rainfall
(except CHO, which may largely miss out). Conditions are varying
between MVFR and IFR depending on the rate rate. IFR cigs become
more likely heading into the evening (again, except CHO). Some
LLWS is possible as a low level jet moves overhead through this
evening, but surface winds 10-15 kt may limit the threat. The
rain will tapers off around midnight, but low clouds likely
persist through the night with perhaps vsby reduced in fog/mist.

Conditions improving somewhat Sunday into Tuesday, but risk of
showers/t-storms will remain into Tue. Otherwise, expect BKN
cigs that are VFR during the day but could drop at night. Patchy
fog also can't be ruled out due to the moist atmosphere.

Showers and thunderstorms each day Tuesday through Thursday. The
warmest time in the afternoon into the early evening hours would be
the more prominent time to encounter these showers and
thunderstorms. Occasionally MVFR or perhaps IFR could develop with
the showers and thunderstorms through the period. Winds generally
southeast to south at 5 to 10 knots with higher gusts in
thunderstorms Tuesday through Wednesday night. Winds could become
southwesterly at 5 to 10 knots Thursday ahead of the trough.

&&

.MARINE...
Low pressure is advancing toward the waters from the south, with
SCA conditions common and gusts 25-30 kt. Gale Warning remains
in place for the Bay and lower tidal Potomac. It's still
questionable if gradient winds achieve gale criteria, but
showers could mix down stronger winds at times. Hi-res models
support this idea. May also have to monitor for waterspouts
given curved hodographs and some low level instability over the
warm waters, but this is a low threat due to lack of instability.
Winds should diminish by late tonight.

Have issued a SCA for Sunday afternoon in the mid Bay and Sunday
night north through Pooles Island due to increasing southerly
flow. This regime will continue through Monday.

Small craft advisories likely Tuesday. Small craft advisories
possible Tuesday night and Wednesday. Winds southeast to south at 10
to 15 knots gusts 20 to 25 knots Tuesday. Winds southerly around 10
knots gusts to 15 to perhaps 20 knots Tuesday night and Wednesday.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
Given the lack of thunderstorms and relative high Flash Flood
Guidance over large parts of the area, it may be difficult to
achieve the rates with this system for true flash flooding.
However, the duration of moderate to heavy rain will likely
result in some flooding issues in urban areas, poor draining
areas, and perhaps some small streams that react quickly. At
this time, river flooding is not expected at any of the forecast
points, and uncertainty is high regarding rainfall totals for
the remainder of the week.

&&

.TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
Minor coastal flooding remains most likely today at DC southwest
waterfront and Straits Point through tonight. Have issued an
advisory for Annapolis as well, though it's possible anomalies
decrease some as winds turn northerly/northwesterly behind the
low. Have kept Baltimore below flood for this reason.

There may be a momentary decrease in water levels early Sunday,
but they will rise again later Sunday into Monday with southerly
flow in place. Guidance continues to indicate potential for a
greater surge than what is being modeled for today.

&&

.LWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
DC...Flash Flood Watch until 2 AM EDT Sunday for DCZ001.
     Coastal Flood Advisory until 8 AM EDT Sunday for DCZ001.
MD...Flash Flood Watch until 2 AM EDT Sunday for MDZ003>006-011-013-
     014-016>018-503>508.
     Coastal Flood Advisory until 2 AM EDT Sunday for MDZ017.
     Coastal Flood Advisory from midnight tonight to 5 AM EDT
     Sunday for MDZ014.
VA...Flash Flood Watch until 2 AM EDT Sunday for VAZ052>055-057-505-
     506.
WV...Flash Flood Watch until 2 AM EDT Sunday for WVZ053.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory from 6 PM Sunday to 6 AM EDT Monday for
     ANZ531>533-537-539>542.
     Gale Warning until 4 AM EDT Sunday for ANZ530>534-537-539>543.
     Small Craft Advisory until 2 AM EDT Sunday for ANZ535-536-538.
     Small Craft Advisory from 2 PM Sunday to 6 AM EDT Monday for
     ANZ534-543.

&&

SYNOPSIS...ADS
NEAR TERM...ADS
SHORT TERM...ADS
LONG TERM...CJL
AVIATION...ADS/CJL
MARINE...ADS/CJL
HYDROLOGY...ADS
TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...ADS
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 21, 12:22 PM EDT, 8 hours 39 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
1222 PM EDT Sat Jul 21 2018

ANZ530>543-DCZ001-MDZ011-013-014-016>018-508-VAZ052>057-221630-
Chesapeake Bay north of Pooles Island MD-
Chesapeake Bay from Pooles Island to Sandy Point MD-
Chesapeake Bay from Sandy Point to North Beach MD-
Chesapeake Bay from North Beach to Drum Point MD-
Chesapeake Bay from Drum Point MD to Smith Point VA-
Tidal Potomac from Key Bridge to Indian Head MD-
Tidal Potomac from Indian Head to Cobb Island MD-
Tidal Potomac from Cobb Island MD to Smith Point VA-
Patapsco River including Baltimore Harbor-
Chester River to Queenstown MD-Eastern Bay-
Choptank River to Cambridge MD and the Little Choptank River-
Patuxent River to Broomes Island MD-
Tangier Sound and the inland waters surrounding Bloodsworth
Island-District of Columbia-Southern Baltimore-Prince Georges-
Anne Arundel-Charles-St. Marys-Calvert-Southeast Harford-
Prince William/Manassas/Manassas Park-Fairfax-
Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria-Stafford-Spotsylvania-
King George-
1222 PM EDT Sat Jul 21 2018

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the Maryland portion of the
Chesapeake Bay, Tidal Potomac River, and adjacent counties in
central Maryland and northern Virginia as well as the District of
Columbia.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for all areas until 2 AM
Sunday. Scattered incidents of flooding are possible.

A Gale Warning is in effect for the Chesapeake Bay and lower tidal
Potomac River through late tonight for the combination of
occasionally strong gradient winds and gusty showers.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

MDZ003>006-501>507-VAZ025>031-036>040-050-051-501>508-WVZ050>053-
055-501>506-221630-
Washington-Frederick MD-Carroll-Northern Baltimore-
Extreme Western Allegany-Central and Eastern Allegany-
Northwest Montgomery-Central and Southeast Montgomery-
Northwest Howard-Central and Southeast Howard-Northwest Harford-
Augusta-Rockingham-Shenandoah-Frederick VA-Page-Warren-Clarke-
Nelson-Albemarle-Greene-Madison-Rappahannock-Orange-Culpeper-
Northern Fauquier-Southern Fauquier-Western Highland-
Eastern Highland-Western Loudoun-Eastern Loudoun-
Northern Virginia Blue Ridge-Central Virginia Blue Ridge-
Hampshire-Morgan-Berkeley-Jefferson-Hardy-Western Grant-
Eastern Grant-Western Mineral-Eastern Mineral-Western Pendleton-
Eastern Pendleton-
1222 PM EDT Sat Jul 21 2018

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for eastern West Virginia,
northern and central Virginia, and central and western Maryland
with the exception of Garrett County.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for until 2 AM Sunday for
Carroll, northern Baltimore and northern Harford, Howard,
Frederick, Montgomery, and Washington Counties in Maryland and
Loudoun county in northern Virginia. Scattered incidents of
flooding are possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 21, 8:26 PM EDT, 35 minutes before
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Local storm report, Jul 21, 8:27 PM EDT, 34 minutes before
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Local storm report, Jul 21, 8:38 PM EDT, 23 minutes before
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Local storm report, Jul 21, 8:43 PM EDT, 18 minutes before
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Local storm report, Jul 21, 8:45 PM EDT, 16 minutes before
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Local storm report, Jul 21, 8:47 PM EDT, 14 minutes before
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The office that day

Everything else NWS Baltimore/Washington issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 21, 8:49 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningLWXFairfax, City of Alexandria3 hr
Jul 21, 9:29 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningLWXFairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, City of Manassas3 hr
Jul 22, 5:35 AM EDTCoastal Flood AdvisoryLWXArlington, City of Alexandria, City of Falls Church52 hr
Jul 22, 6:27 AM EDTSmall Craft AdvisoryLWX37 hr
Jul 22, 11:35 AM EDTFlash Flood WatchLWXArlington, Fairfax, King George, Loudoun, Spotsylvania, Stafford and 4 more17 hr
Jul 22, 1:48 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningLWX42 min
Jul 22, 2:07 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningLWX113 min
Jul 22, 2:44 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningLWX67 min
Jul 22, 3:21 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningLWX92 min
Jul 22, 4:45 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningLWX2 hr
Jul 22, 5:16 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningLWX89 min
Jul 22, 5:40 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningLWX56 min
Jul 22, 6:58 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningLWX93 min
Jul 22, 7:05 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXAlbemarle, City of Charlottesville55 min
Jul 21, 8:14 PM EDTCoastal Flood WarningLWXSaint Mary's5 hr
Jul 21, 9:05 PM EDTRiver Flood WarningLWXMontgomery26 hr
Jul 21, 10:16 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningLWXAnne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, City of Baltimore18 hr
Jul 21, 10:57 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningLWXFrederick33 hr
Jul 21, 11:12 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningLWXFrederick, Montgomery3 hr
Jul 21, 11:13 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningLWXBaltimore, Carroll15 hr
Jul 21, 11:26 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningLWXAnne Arundel, Baltimore, City of Baltimore3 hr
Jul 22, 12:12 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningLWXCalvert, Charles, Saint Mary's5 hr
Jul 22, 2:56 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningLWXFrederick3 days
Jul 22, 1:45 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXCharles, Prince George's30 min
Jul 22, 1:59 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningLWXSaint Mary's4 hr
Jul 22, 1:59 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXAnne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George's, Saint Mary's46 min
Jul 22, 2:17 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXAnne Arundel, Prince George's43 min
Jul 22, 2:28 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningLWXCalvert4 hr
Jul 22, 2:53 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningLWXBaltimore, City of Baltimore9 hr
Jul 22, 2:53 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXAnne Arundel, Baltimore, Harford, Howard, City of Baltimore29 min
Jul 22, 5:01 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXAnne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George's29 min
Jul 22, 6:06 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningLWXAnne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George's, Saint Mary's20 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Maryland, 2018Every flash flood warning in 2018

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.