Alert archive / Virginia / Flash Flood Warnings in 2021

Flash Flood Warning 19, NWS Baltimore/Washington

July 1, 2021Fairfax County, City of Fairfax, City of Falls Church, Virginia; Montgomery County, Maryland

NWS Baltimore/Washington issued this flash flood warning at Jul 1, 2021, 3:31 PM EDT for Fairfax County, City of Fairfax, City of Falls Church, Virginia; Montgomery County, Maryland. It was in force for 3 hr. 1 report came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Jul 1, 2021, 3:31 PM EDT (19:31 UTC)
Expired
Jul 1, 2021, 6:16 PM EDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Baltimore/Washington
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Montgomery County, MD, City of Fairfax, VA, City of Falls Church, VA, Fairfax County, VA

The radar

The Sterling radar (KLWX), 27 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:33 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 was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Jul 1, 4:20 PM EDTFLASH FLOOD2 Wnw Annandale, VAWOODBURN ROAD WAS CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Washington/Dulle, VA (KIAD), launched 12:00Z, 7.5 hours before the alert went out and 19 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 12:00Z on 2021-07-01Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 604 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Washington/Dulle, VA at 12:00Z on 2021-07-01The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 61 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
604 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-48 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
928 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
32 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
61 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
108 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.2
Supercell composite
1.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

725 
WGUS51 KLWX 011931
FFWLWX
MDC031-VAC059-600-610-012230-
/O.NEW.KLWX.FF.W.0019.210701T1931Z-210701T2230Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
331 PM EDT Thu Jul 1 2021

The National Weather Service in Sterling Virginia has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Southern Montgomery County in central Maryland...
  Central Fairfax County in northern Virginia...
  The City of Fairfax in northern Virginia...
  The Northwestern City of Falls Church in northern Virginia...

* Until 630 PM EDT.

* At 331 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 0.5 and 1.5 inches of 
  rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts up to 0.5 inches are 
  possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected 
  to begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar.

  IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban
           areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as
           other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Arlington...                       Bethesda...
  Reston...                          Annandale...
  Springfield...                     Fairfax...
  Vienna...                          Groveton...
  Falls Church...                    Mantua...
  Fort Belvoir...                    Pimmit Hills...
  Mclean...                          American Legion Bridge...
  Potomac...                         Burke...
  Oakton...                          Lincolnia...
  Tysons Corner...                   Franconia...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood 
deaths occur in vehicles.

&&

LAT...LON 3899 7714 3899 7704 3893 7712 3886 7724
      3875 7710 3871 7727 3873 7737 3890 7737
      3897 7723

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

KJP
2 follow-up statements
842 
WGUS71 KLWX 012126
FFSLWX

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
526 PM EDT Thu Jul 1 2021

MDC031-VAC059-600-610-012230-
/O.CON.KLWX.FF.W.0019.000000T0000Z-210701T2230Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Montgomery MD-Fairfax VA-City of Fairfax VA-City of Falls Church VA-
526 PM EDT Thu Jul 1 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 PM EDT THIS 
EVENING FOR SOUTHERN MONTGOMERY AND CENTRAL FAIRFAX COUNTIES AND THE 
CITY OF FAIRFAX AND THE NORTHWESTERN CITY OF FALLS CHURCH...

At 526 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated that around 1 to 2 inches of 
rain fell within an hour across most of the warned area. Excess 
runoff from the heavy rainfall continues to cause creeks and streams 
to rise. The Fairfax County 911 Center reported that Woodburn Road 
and Prosperity  Avenue were closed due to high water.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
         highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
         drainage and low-lying areas.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Arlington...                       Bethesda...
Reston...                          Annandale...
Springfield...                     Fairfax...
Vienna...                          Groveton...
Falls Church...                    Mantua...
Fort Belvoir...                    Pimmit Hills...
Mclean...                          American Legion Bridge...
Potomac...                         Burke...
Oakton...                          Lincolnia...
Tysons Corner...                   Franconia...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood 
deaths occur in vehicles.

&&

LAT...LON 3899 7714 3899 7704 3893 7712 3886 7724
      3875 7710 3871 7727 3873 7737 3890 7737
      3897 7723

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

BJL
089 
WGUS71 KLWX 012216
FFSLWX

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
616 PM EDT Thu Jul 1 2021

MDC031-VAC059-600-610-012226-
/O.CAN.KLWX.FF.W.0019.000000T0000Z-210701T2230Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Montgomery MD-Fairfax VA-City of Fairfax VA-City of Falls Church VA-
616 PM EDT Thu Jul 1 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR SOUTHERN MONTGOMERY AND 
CENTRAL FAIRFAX COUNTIES AND THE CITY OF FAIRFAX AND THE 
NORTHWESTERN CITY OF FALLS CHURCH...

Flood waters have receded. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a 
threat. Please continue to heed remaining road closures.

A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect until 800 AM EDT Friday for 
portions of DC, Maryland and Virginia.

LAT...LON 3899 7714 3899 7704 3893 7712 3886 7724
      3875 7710 3871 7727 3873 7737 3890 7737
      3897 7723

$$

BJL

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 1, 1:03 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXFairfax, Loudoun42 min
Jul 1, 1:08 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningLWX97 min
Jul 1, 1:36 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningLWX54 min
Jul 1, 1:36 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXSpotsylvania, Stafford, City of Fredericksburg39 min
Jul 1, 1:47 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXSpotsylvania43 min
Jul 1, 1:53 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXLoudoun52 min
Jul 1, 2:11 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXCulpeper, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, Stafford and 2 more49 min
Jul 1, 2:13 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningLWX92 min
Jul 1, 2:21 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningLWX84 min
Jul 1, 2:25 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXKing George19 min
Jul 1, 2:28 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningLWX102 min
Jul 1, 2:28 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXFairfax, Loudoun47 min
Jul 1, 2:43 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXArlington, Fairfax, Prince William, City of Alexandria, City of Fairfax, City of Falls Church47 min
Jul 1, 2:50 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningLWX115 min
Jul 1, 3:00 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningLWX2 hr
Jul 1, 3:14 PM EDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatLWXArlington, Fairfax, City of Alexandria, City of Falls Church3 hr
Jul 1, 3:32 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningLWX70 min
Jul 1, 4:52 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningLWX73 min
Jul 1, 5:23 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningLWX41 min
Jul 1, 6:10 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningLWX95 min
Jul 1, 7:29 PM EDTSmall Craft AdvisoryLWX14 hr
Jul 1, 7:29 PM EDTSmall Craft AdvisoryLWX48 hr
Jul 1, 7:37 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningLWXShenandoah, Warren2 hr
Jul 1, 1:44 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXAnne Arundel, Montgomery, Prince George's46 min
Jul 1, 2:10 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXHoward, Montgomery50 min
Jul 1, 2:18 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXAnne Arundel, Prince George's42 min
Jul 1, 2:40 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXMontgomery35 min
Jul 1, 2:41 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXAnne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, City of Baltimore64 min
Jul 1, 3:06 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXMontgomery, Prince George's24 min
Jul 1, 3:20 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXAnne Arundel, Calvert, Prince George's55 min
Jul 1, 3:26 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXBaltimore, Cecil, Harford38 min
Jul 1, 3:33 PM EDTTornado WarningLWXAnne Arundel, Prince George's27 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Virginia, 2021Flash Flood Warnings in Maryland, 2021Every flash flood warning in 2021

Sources

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