Storms Pose Flooding Threat, Cool Temps This Weekend: Virginia Weather

VIRGINIA — Back-to-back storm systems could drench Virginia through Monday, with flooding a possibility, weather forecasts said. Strong winds by the weekend could cause rough surf and highs mostly in the 60s could make for a less than idyllic weekend.

Two storms will take aim at the East Coast over the weekend. The first storm should reach Northern Virginia and DC by Friday, and is expected to be the weaker of the two, but stiff winds along a portion of the coast will raise seas and surf, AccuWeather.com said.

According to AccuWeather, the second storm set to hit Sunday and continue through Monday could be more impactful, becoming a more intense bomb cyclone.

"As the storm moves along and strengthens, a secondary storm may form along the mid-Atlantic coast, which could accelerate winds and enhance the impacts of rain, above-normal tides and rough seas and surf from the mid-Atlantic region to New England," AccuWeather said.

The rainfall will also be accompanied by a cooling trend thanks to a slow-moving low pressure system coming in from the Great Lakes.

A slow moving cold front will push through the state Tuesday afternoon and evening. Expect scattered showers with a rumble of thunder also possible, the National Weather Service said. Eventually, a pair of systems are set to impact the area late Thursday and Friday and late this weekend.

"An active weather pattern prevails the next several days, other than a dry day tomorrow, with outdoor plans impacted at times through the weekend. The first shower chance comes later today, with a soaking rain possible Friday and more rain likely this weekend. As the rain makes a dent in our moderate drought, temperatures remain seasonably cool but fairly comfortable," said The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang.

East to southeast winds along the mid-Atlantic coast will average 15-25 mph, but gusts will range between 30 and 50 mph at the storm’s peak late this week. Minor coastal flooding and beach erosion can occur at times of high tide with the first storm, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Dombek said.

Here's the DC region forecast from the National Weather Service:

Wednesday: Isolated showers before 2pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 2pm and 5pm, then scattered showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. South wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then isolated showers between 11pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Southeast wind 5 to 7 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 67. Light and variable wind becoming north around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. East wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Friday: Showers, mainly after 8am. High near 60. East wind 11 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Friday Night: Showers. Low around 55. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Saturday: Showers before 8am, then rain likely, mainly between 8am and 2pm. High near 68. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Saturday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Sunday: Rain likely before 2pm, then showers likely after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Sunday Night: Showers likely, mainly before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Monday: A chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Chance of precipitation is 30%.