Alert archive / Maryland / Flash Flood Warnings in 2018

Flash Flood Warning 84, NWS Baltimore/Washington

September 18, 20185 counties in Maryland

NWS Baltimore/Washington issued this flash flood warning at Sep 18, 2018, 2:06 AM EDT for 5 counties in 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
Sep 18, 2018, 2:06 AM EDT (06:06 UTC)
Expired
Sep 18, 2018, 5:00 AM EDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Baltimore/Washington
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Anne Arundel County, MD, Baltimore County, MD, City of Baltimore, MD, Howard County, MD, Prince George's County, MD

The radar

The Sterling radar (KLWX), 70 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 06:07 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.

The nearest sounding before it

Washington/Dulle, VA (KIAD), launched 00:00Z, 6.1 hours before the alert went out and 64 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Washington/Dulle, VA at 00:00Z on 2018-09-18Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 709 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Washington/Dulle, VA at 00:00Z on 2018-09-18The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 178 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
709 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-3 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
587 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
31 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
178 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
256 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.5
Supercell composite
4.8

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

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 Sep 17, 9:04 PM EDT, 5 hours 2 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Sep 17, 9:04 PM EDT, 5 hours 2 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
904 PM EDT Mon Sep 17 2018

.SYNOPSIS...
The remnants of Florence will lift north through Appalachians
tonight before passing by to our north Tuesday. The cold front
associated with the remnants will pass through our area Tuesday.
High pressure will return for Wednesday and Thursday before
moving offshore late in the week. A cold front may approach the
region this weekend.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY/...
Intensity of convection has been diminishing, but coverage is
actually increasing again east of the Blue Ridge this evening.
More of a heavy rain threat as opposed to severe/tornado threat
with the loss of heating, but isolated thunderstorms or a wind
gust or two can't be ruled out. Some storms may exhibit weak
rotation due to shear profiles but the chances of this coming to
fruition in the form of an actual tornado has greatly
diminished. The flood threat remains, though, especially if a
few heavier cells track over areas that got heavy rain earlier
today. The Flash Flood Watch remains near/east of the Blue
Ridge mountains.

The cold front associated with the remnants of Florence will
approach from the west overnight. The upper-level low associated
with the remnants will shear apart as it shifts east into our
area. Falling heights and the boundary approaching suggests
that showers and thunderstorms will remain possible overnight.
Do think shower coverage will be scattered to perhaps numerous,
and thunderstorm coverage will be isolated since it will be
taking place during an unfavorable time.

&&

.SHORT TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/...
The cold front associated with the remnants of Florence will
slowly pass through the area from west to east Tuesday into
Tuesday evening. The upper-level trough axis will also pass
through the are during this time. Another round of showers and
scattered thunderstorms are likely, and the best coverage will
be east of the Blue Ridge Mountains where instability will be
higher (due to the front arriving later). Shear profiles will be
weaker, but there will be moderate instability so a couple
stronger storms are possible. Locally heavy rain is also
possible and isolated flooding cannot be ruled out (best chance
east of the Blue Ridge and Catoctin Mountains).

The boundary will push off to the east Tuesday night and high
pressure will build overhead for Wednesday through Wednesday
night. Dry and less humid conditions will return due to a
northwest flow.

&&

.LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
High pressure overhead Thursday will become elongated from New
England to the Carolinas Thursday night. Dry conditions will
continue Thursday and Thursday night.

As the high moves offshore Friday, a cold front will sag southeast
across the eastern Great Lakes and move close to our northwestern
zones of western Maryland and eastern West Virginia by Friday
night. Dry conditions will continue Friday with a chance of a
few showers in our northwestern zones Friday night. Temperatures
will be warmer Friday.

A cold front will slide southeast across our region Saturday into
Saturday night, bringing an increased chance for showers and
thunderstorms across much of our region. At this time, it appears
that most activity will be isolated since much of the upper level
support will have left the region and moved well to the northeast.

The front could stall across southern parts of our region or
perhaps reach the Virginia and North Carolina border Sunday
and Sunday night. Additional showers or perhaps a thunderstorm
could form along and just north of the front. Slightly cooler
temperatures near the Mason-Dixon region.

Weak high pressure will try to nudge farther south into our CWA
Monday, but it may have trouble with its push since the stalled
front could hold its ground in southern parts of Virginia.

&&

.AVIATION /01Z TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
IFR cigs are likely tonight. Scattered to numerous showers
expected, mainly E of Blue Ridge with locally reduced visibility.
Cigs will lift later Tuesday morning into Tuesday afternoon.

Showers and perhaps a thunderstorm are possible through Tuesday
afternoon. The most widespread coverage will be this afternoon
across the eastern terminals. Even across these areas, thunder
may be more isolated. Localized IFR conditions are possible in
any showers that develop due to tropical moisture in place.

A northwest flow will develop for Tuesday night behind a cold
front and VFR conditions are expected for Wednesday. Patchy fog
is cannot be ruled out overnight Tuesday into Wednesday morning.

VFR conditions expected Thursday through Friday night with high
pressure in control across and to the east of our region. Winds
northeast becoming southeast 5 to 10 knots Thursday and Thursday
night. Winds becoming southwest around 10 knots Friday and Friday
night.

&&

.MARINE...
Southerly winds will continue over the waters through tonight.
An SCA remains in effect. There may be a lull in the winds later
this evening and overnight over the upper Tidal Potomac River
and northern Chesapeake Bay. A cold front will approach Tuesday
before passing through late in the day into Tuesday evening. An
SCA is in effect for portions of the waters ahead of the front
through midday Tuesday, and for all the waters behind the front
Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday night. SMW gusts possible in
thunderstorms Tuesday afternoon.

High pressure will build toward over the waters Wednesday
through Wednesday night. An SCA may be needed for portions of
the waters Wednesday.

No marine hazards expected Thursday through Friday night. Winds
northeast becoming southeast 5 to 10 knots Thursday and Thursday
night. Winds becoming southwest 10 to 15 knots Friday and Friday
night.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
River flooding is ongoing along the Shenandoah basin, and is
possible over the Potomac basin due to heavier rainfall observed
Monday. Please refer to the latest River Flood Watches and
Warnings for more information.

&&

.TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
A stronger southerly flow has developed and it will continue
through tonight before gradually turning to the southwest
Tuesday morning and the northwest Tuesday evening.

The southerly flow has caused anomalies to increase, and this
trend will continue through tonight. Have issued Coastal Flood
Advisories for most areas along the western shore of the
Chesapeake and the Potomac River. A Coastal Flood Warning is in
effect for Anne Arundel County during this time. Will have to
watch the anomalies due to the stronger southerly flow. It is
possible that water levels could approach moderate flood
thresholds in Washington DC and St Marys County, but confidence
is too low for a warning at this time.

Minor flooding is possible during the high tide cycle Tuesday,
then the northwest winds should cause anomalies to decrease
Tuesday night.

&&

.LWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
DC...Flash Flood Watch until 4 AM EDT Tuesday for DCZ001.
     Coastal Flood Advisory until 7 AM EDT Tuesday for DCZ001.
MD...Flash Flood Watch until 4 AM EDT Tuesday for MDZ004>006-011-
     013-014-016-503>508.
     Coastal Flood Advisory until 4 AM EDT Tuesday for MDZ016.
     Coastal Flood Advisory until 1 AM EDT Tuesday for MDZ017.
     Coastal Flood Advisory until 2 AM EDT Tuesday for MDZ018.
     Coastal Flood Advisory from 1 AM to 9 AM EDT Tuesday for
     MDZ508.
     Coastal Flood Warning until 6 AM EDT Tuesday for MDZ014.
     Coastal Flood Advisory until 7 AM EDT Tuesday for MDZ011.
VA...Flash Flood Watch until midnight EDT tonight for VAZ025-
     036>040-507-508.
     Flash Flood Watch until 4 AM EDT Tuesday for VAZ050>057-501-
     502-505-506.
     Coastal Flood Advisory until 4 AM EDT Tuesday for VAZ057.
     Coastal Flood Advisory until 7 AM EDT Tuesday for VAZ054.
WV...None.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 9 AM EDT Tuesday for ANZ530>532-535-
     536-538>540.
     Small Craft Advisory from 4 PM Tuesday to 2 AM EDT Wednesday
     for ANZ532-540.
     Small Craft Advisory from 4 PM to 10 PM EDT Tuesday for ANZ530-
     531-535-536-538-539.
     Small Craft Advisory until 2 AM EDT Wednesday for ANZ533-534-
     537-541>543.

&&

SYNOPSIS...BJL
NEAR TERM...BJL/DHOF
SHORT TERM...BJL
LONG TERM...KLW
AVIATION...BJL/KLW/DHOF
MARINE...BJL/IMR/KLW/DHOF
HYDROLOGY...DHOF
TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...BJL
Hazardous weather outlook, Sep 18, 1:39 AM EDT, 27 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
139 AM EDT Tue Sep 18 2018

ANZ530>543-DCZ001-MDZ011-013-014-016>018-508-VAZ052>057-190545-
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-
139 AM EDT Tue Sep 18 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...Today

A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for the Washington DC and
Baltimore Maryland metro areas through 6 PM.

Please refer to the latest River Flood Watches and Warnings for
the latest on main stem river flooding.

Gusty winds associated with showers and thunderstorms over the
waters may require Special Marine Warnings this afternoon.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday

Main stem river flooding may persist into Thursday.

.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>506-190545-
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-
139 AM EDT Tue Sep 18 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...Tonight

A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for the Washington DC and
Baltimore Maryland metro areas through 6 PM.

Please refer to the latest River Flood Watches and Warnings for
the latest on main stem river flooding.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday

Main stem river flooding may persist into Thursday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

DHOF

In the hours before

Local storm report, Sep 17, 8:37 PM EDT, 5 hours 29 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
837 PM EDT MON SEP 17 2018

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0830 AM     FLOOD            1 SSW WAYNESBORO        38.06N  78.91W
09/17/2018                   AUGUSTA            VA   MESONET

            THE STREAM GAUGE ON SOUTH RIVER AT WAYNESBORO EXCEEDED
            MINOR FLOOD STAGE OF 9.5 FEET BY 8:30 PM, THEN EXCEEDED
            MODERATE FLOOD STAGE OF 11.0 FEET BY 11:30 AM. IT
            CRESTED AT 11.9 FEET AT 2:00 PM, THEN FELL BELOW FLOOD
            STAGE BY 8:00 PM. AT THIS LEVEL, SIGNIFICANT PORTIONS OF
            DOWNTOWN WAYNESBORO ARE FLOODED.

&&

EVENT NUMBER LWX1802053

DH
Local storm report, Sep 17, 9:17 PM EDT, 4 hours 49 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
917 PM EDT MON SEP 17 2018

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0916 PM     FLOOD            WASHINGTON              38.71N  78.16W
09/17/2018                   RAPPAHANNOCK       VA   911 CALL CENTER

            OVER A DOZEN ROADS CLOSED ACROSS RAPPAHANNOCK COUNTY
            DUE TO FLOODING

&&

EVENT NUMBER LWX1802054

MM
Local storm report, Sep 17, 9:30 PM EDT, 4 hours 36 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
930 PM EDT MON SEP 17 2018

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0925 AM     FLOOD            1 SSE WAYNESBORO        38.06N  78.90W
09/17/2018                   AUGUSTA            VA   MESONET

            THE STREAM GAUGE ON SOUTH RIVER AT RIFE ROAD IN
            WAYNESBORO EXCEEDED MINOR FLOOD STAGE OF 10.5 FEET BY
            9:25 AM, AND EXCEEDED MODERATE FLOOD STAGE OF 12.0 FEET
            BY 11:10 AM. IT CRESTED AT 13.1 FEET AT 2:00 PM, THEN
            FELL BELOW FLOOD STAGE BY 8:35 PM.

&&

EVENT NUMBER LWX1802055

DH
Local storm report, Sep 18, 1:57 AM EDT, 9 minutes before
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The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Sep 17, 10:09 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningLWXOrange4 hr
Sep 18, 2:11 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningLWX64 min
Sep 18, 2:26 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningLWXArlington, City of Alexandria9 hr
Sep 18, 12:34 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningLWXAnne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, City of Baltimore6 hr
Sep 18, 1:56 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningLWXPrince George's6 hr
Sep 18, 3:11 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningLWXBaltimore, Harford3 hr
Sep 18, 5:18 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningLWXAnne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, City of Baltimore3 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.