Updated, 1:43 p.m.
A tornado watch has been now been issued until 8 p.m. in Central, Northwest and Western Virginia.
The tornado watch area includes:
- Central Virginia: Albemarle County, Charlottesville, Greene County, Nelson County
- Northwest Virginia: Winchester, Clarke County, Frederick County, Madison County, Page County, Rappahannock County, Shenandoah County, Warren County
- Western Virginia: Augusta County, Harrisonburg, Staunton, Waynesboro, Highland County, Rockingham County
Original story
A large swath of Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland are part of a flood watch issued by the National Weather Service running from 4 p.m. this afternoon until late tonight. According to the NWS, up to five inches of rain is possible and flash flooding may occur.
A slow-moving frontal system will bring multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms to the region this afternoon. A round of storms with heavy rain will be followed by a shift to a slow-moving complex of moderate to heavy rain into the evening and night.
Total rainfall of one to two inches is likely, with localized amounts up to five inches possible.
Thunderstorms may produce rain rates of one to two inches per hour.
The NWS recommends monitoring weather forecasts and being prepared to take action should flash flood warnings be issued.
The runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.
The flood watch includes portions of north central Maryland and West Virginia.
In Virginia, the watch area includes Albemarle, Augusta, Clarke, Culpeper, Highland, Frederick, Greene, Madison, Nelson, Fauquier, Orange, Page, Rappahannock, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Loudoun and Warren counties.
For flood safety and preparedness information, visit www.weather.gov/safety/
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Crystal Graham
