Ongoing flooding from June 2nd continued into the early morning hours of June 3rd. Then additional rainfall caused fairly widespread flooding across Northern Virginia later on June 3rd.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS LWX wrote it up.
Ongoing flooding from June 2nd continued into the early morning hours of June 3rd. Then additional rainfall caused fairly widespread flooding across Northern Virginia later on June 3rd. Separately, the combined effects of several days of rain created river flooding on streams which continued in some locations through June 5th.
The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Jun 3, 2:59 AM EST, 20 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
359 AM EDT Sun Jun 3 2018
.SYNOPSIS...
Low pressure near the Virginia tidewater will slowly meander
into the Atlantic today and tonight. A cold front will cross the
region tonight, with a reinforcing cold front late Tuesday.
High pressure will build during the middle of the week.
&&
.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 PM THIS EVENING/...
Surface low pressure in vicinity of Virginia Beach early this
morning. Northeast flow has been bringing numerous showers inland,
with a focus at this time along/west of the Blue Ridge. Due to the
tropical airmass, warm rain processes still dominate, even though
dewpoints/precipitable water are both slightly lower. Expect these
trends to continue past sunrise.
During the daylight hours there is ample, multi-model evidence that
there likely will be another enhanced band of rainfall in the
convergent/deformation zone behind the coastal low. Since warm rain
processes will still dominate (warm cloud depths 10-12k ft) and
flood guidance exceptionally low, any moderate-locally heavy
rainfall would be sufficient for additional flooding. The focus area
in the guidance suggests that the I-95 corridor will be the favored
location. Therefore, will be extending the Flood Watch in that
corridor through today. One change though: since the event
evolution has been and will continue to be slowly evolving, will
switch from a Flash Flood Watch to a Flood Watch.
With flow coming off of the Atlantic, doubt that there will be a
significant temperature rise today. In fact, we might even drop
slightly, and that is reflected in the database.
&&
.SHORT TERM /6 PM THIS EVENING THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT/...
Moisture from the surface low/associated trough axis will be
pivoting offshore this evening. In its wake, there will be a
secondary surface front traversing the forecast area, a
consequence of a shortwave axis crossing the Great Lakes.
Cold/dry advection will ensue. The front may support a few
showers, although the bulk of the moisture will be drying up.
PoPs will be decreasing through the night.
For Monday through early Tuesday, northwest flow and building high
pressure will prevail across the forecast area...supporting welcomed
dry weather with mostly sunny skies. Highs will only be in the 70s.
The only wrinkle may be additional positive vorticity advection late
Tuesday, which will necessitate chance PoPs for a stray shower
afternoon-night. Lows each night will be in the 50s.
&&
.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
An area of high pressure will begin to build in from the Ohio Valley
on Wednesday, and will become centered overhead by Thursday. This
will lead to a period of quiet weather conditions. Temperatures are
expected to stay well below normal on both Wednesday and Thursday.
High temperatures on Wednesday may struggle to make it out of the
60s, while temperatures on Thursday will likely max out in the 70s.
Temperatures are expected to moderate back to seasonable levels on
Friday. A weak cold front is progged to approach the area from the
northwest later in the day. It appears as though there is at least
some chance for showers and thunderstorms out ahead of this front
Friday afternoon, but there are substantial discrepancies between
models with respect to areal coverage of those storms. By Saturday,
models solutions begin to diverge. Chances for showers and storms
can't be ruled out, but it's a low confidence forecast this far
out.
&&
.AVIATION /08Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
Ceiling dropping to MVFR, and likely will drop to IFR by sunrise.
Once there, believe we will remain there through the day and into
the evening. Support for showers will continue through the evening,
when the coastal low will gradually drift offshore, and a cold front
will sweep out the low level moisture. The only questions will be
how quickly will that take place and whether there will be enough
mixing to prevent fog from developing. Do have improvements to
flight categories, mainly after midnight.
VFR conditions should prevail Monday through Thursday.
&&
.MARINE...
East winds increasing as low pressure deepens at the mouth of the
Chesapeake. Multi-model support for 15-20 kt winds moves inland
before sunrise, so will be keeping Small Craft Advisories as is...
through early morning for the Maryland Bay/lower tidal Potomac, all
waters during the daylight hours, and continuing this evening for
the Bay/lower Potomac as the low moves offshore.
A cold front will cross the waters overnight. Much better mixing
will follow Monday, with Small Craft conditions anticipated for all
waters. Will raise the Advisory with this cycle. Northwest flow,
with favorable mixing, continues through Wednesday. Additional
Advisories may be required. Winds should then settle below
thresholds late Wednesday into Thursday.
&&
.HYDROLOGY...
Numerous to widespread showers will continue across the area
today. With efficient rainfall production and saturated soil,
the flood risk continues, although the trend is for improvement.
A Flood Watch will be extended along I-95, where the risk for
moderate-heavy rain the most likely. Streams may continue to
rise after the rain ends as water drains into the mainstem
rivers.
Latest round of updates to river flood watches and warnings is in
the process of being issued as of 330am. No major changes, but all
revised based on the latest observed rainfall and river levels.
&&
.TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
Water levels remain slightly elevated, less than a foot above
normal. That may result in tides reaching Action Stage over the next
couple days at the most sensitive sites (Annapolis and St George
Island).
In addition, freshwater runoff may result in minor/moderate flooding
at Georgetown in the Monday night-Tuesday time frame. This forecast
still partially based on forecast rainfall, which may be prone to
some error. Nonetheless, will be monitoring guidance for a possible
Coastal Flood Watch...especially at Georgetown.
&&
.LWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
DC...Flood Watch through this afternoon for DCZ001.
MD...Flood Watch through this afternoon for MDZ005-006-011-013-014-
016>018-503>508.
VA...Flood Watch through this afternoon for VAZ050>057-502-506.
WV...None.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 6 PM EDT this evening for ANZ535-
536.
Small Craft Advisory from 6 AM to 6 PM EDT Monday for
ANZ530>543.
Small Craft Advisory until midnight EDT tonight for ANZ530>534-
537>543.
&&
SYNOPSIS...HTS
NEAR TERM...HTS
SHORT TERM...HTS
LONG TERM...KJP
AVIATION...HTS/KJP
MARINE...HTS/KJP
HYDROLOGY...HTS/Strong
TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...HTSHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC 834 PM EDT Sat Jun 2 2018 ANZ530>543-DCZ001-MDZ011-013-014-016>018-508-VAZ052>057-031000- 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- 834 PM EDT Sat Jun 2 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...Tonight A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for the entire area through late tonight. In addition, River Flood Watches have been posted for many sites along main stem rivers. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday Multiple rounds of showers will continue into Sunday. These showers will be slow moving across wet ground and capable of producing additional localized heavy rainfall. This may result in additional or worsening flooding. The River Flood Watches continue until further notice. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Skywarn spotters should report any flooding or precipitation totals per established protocols. MDZ003>006-501>507-VAZ025>031-036>040-050-051-501>508-WVZ050>053- 055-501>506-031000- 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- 834 PM EDT Sat Jun 2 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 entire area through late tonight. In addition, River Flood Watches have been posted for many sites along main stem rivers. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday Multiple rounds of showers will continue into Sunday. These showers will be slow moving across wet ground and capable of producing additional localized heavy rainfall. This may result in additional or worsening flooding. The River Flood Watches continue until further notice. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Skywarn spotters should report any flooding or precipitation totals per established protocols.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
32 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
The stream gage on Smith Creek near New Market exceeded the 8 foot flood stage during the indicated period. The peak level of 11.55 feet occurred at 1:00pm EST on June 3rd. Agricultural flooding was widespread, along with several road closures, including Route 826.
Ten roads were closed due to flooding in Central Rockingham County.
Flooding occurred along Opequon Creek in Clarke County both upstream and downstream of the stream gage near Berryville. The gage exceeded the 10 foot flood stage during the indicated period, with a peak of 13.12 feet at 12:45pm EST on June 3rd. Opequon Road and Old Charles Town Road both flooded and other flooding, especially agricultural flooding, was observed.
Old Blue Ridge Turnpike flooded and closed in multiple locations between Criglersville and Syria.
The stream gage on the South Fork Shenandoah River near Luray exceeded the 14 foot flood stage during the indicated period. The peak of 15.20 feet occurred at 6:45pm EST on June 3rd. Yards and agricultural fields were flooded, along with access roads to boat ramps at Route 211 and Bixlers Ferry.
The stream gage on Robinson River near Locust Dale exceeded the 11 foot flood stage during the indicated period. The peak level of 17.93 feet occurred at 4:30pm EST on June 3rd. Multiple spots were flooded along Robinson River Road, and a few private drives were flooded.
The stream gage on the North Fork Shenandoah River at Mount Jackson exceeded the 13 foot flood stage during the period indicated. The peak level of 14.20 feet occurred at 1:30pm EST on June 3rd. Several roads experienced flooding in the area.
Mill Creek was out of its banks, flooding Garber Road.
Back Mountain Road flooded and impassable in spots near stream crossings.
The stream gage on the Hazel River at Rixeyville exceeded the 16 foot flood stage during the indicated period. The peak level of 19.78 feet occurred at 6:30pm EST on June 3rd. Ryland Chapel Road and Butler Store Road were both flooded.
Multiple road closures reported throughout Warren County, especially in and around Front Royal.
The stream gage on the South Fork Shenandoah River near Front Royal exceeded the 12 foot flood stage during the indicated period. The peak level of 16.52 feet occurred at 10:30pm EST on June 3rd. Luray Avenue was flooded along with a riverside parking area and boat ramp, and other overland flooding in the vicinity.
The stream gage on Hogue Creek near Hayfield exceeded the 8 foot flood stage during the period indicated. The peak level of 8.39 feet was recorded at 11:45am EST on June 3rd. Yards and agricultural fields near the creek flooded during the brief event.
The stream gage on the Shenandoah River at Millville, WV exceeded the 10 foot flood stage during the indicated period, and rose to a significant height of 17.52 feet, the highest observed since 1996. Several roads near the river in Clarke County were significantly flooded.
The stream gage on Cedar Creek near Winchester exceeded the 16 foot flood stage during the indicated period. The peak level of 16.32 feet occurred at 3:00pm EST on June 3rd. Fromans Road was flooded and water neared an outbuilding nearby.
Burke Road flooded and closed near Heritage Square Drive.
Widespread flooding occurred along Passage Creek between Buckton and Fort Valley, including multiple spots on Fort Valley Road. The stream gage on Passage Creek exceeded the 9 foot flood stage during the indicated times, with a peak observed of 12.00 feet at 6:45pm EST on June 3rd.
Flooding along Tin Pot Run caused multiple road closures near Remington.
Numerous roads flooded and closed in the I-66 corridor of the county, including Cabin Branch Road, Grove Lane, Crest Hill Road, Carrington Road, and Ashville Road.
Harrell Road flooded and closed near Falmouth.
River Road flooded and closed near Falmouth.
Colebrook Road flooded and closed.
Brooke Road flooded and closed near Daffan.
Kellogg Mill Road flooded and closed near Abel Lake.
Shelton Shop Road flooded and closed.
The stream gage on the Rappahannock River near Remington exceeded the 15 foot flood stage during the indicated period. The peak level of 18.32 feet occurred at 8:30am EST on June 4th. Backwater flooding occurred on Tin Pot Run, along with flooding in the Kellys Ford area.
Lillards Ford Road flooded and closed.
The stream gage on the Rapidan River near Culpeper exceeded the 13 foot flood stage during the indicated period. The peak level of 14.46 feet occurred at 2:00am EST on June 4th. River Road was flooded around the time of peak, along with farmland on both the Orange and Culpeper County sides of the river.
The stream gage on the North Fork Shenandoah River near Strasburg exceeded the 17 foot flood stage during the period indicated. The peak level was estimated by USGS to be 18.13 feet at 3:30am EST on June 4th. Deer Rapids Road floods along with significant agricultural flooding and flooding of the riverside park in Strasburg.
The tide gage on the Rappahannock River at Fredericksburg City Dock exceeded the 13 foot flood stage during the indicated period. City Dock in Fredericksburg flooded, with over six feet of water over the dock at peak. Old Mill Park was also flooded. Basement flooding from overland flow was reported near the City Dock.
The tide gage on the Rappahannock River at Fredericksburg City Dock exceeded the 13 foot flood stage during the indicated period. River Road and a park on the Stafford County side of the river flooded.
Car stalled in two feet of water on Old Church Road.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Virginia in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Virginia, June 2018
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 767267, 764841, 766925, 764843, 767271, 767261, 767266, 764844, 764845, 767270, 764846, 767258, 767260, 767263, 767273, 764847, 766920, 764848, 764850, 764851, 764852, 764853, 764854, 764855, 764856, 767269, 764857, 767185, 767272, 767192, 767256, 764865.