Wet weather expected to linger through Sunday as Ophelia storm loses steam
Meteorologists expect that the worst of tropical depression Ophelia has already washed over the D.C. area, but some weather-related risks will linger through Sunday. Here’s what you need to know.
The National Weather Service has issued the following alerts, in effect through Sunday:
- A flood watch is in effect into Sunday at 8 a.m. for urban areas including D.C. and areas in Maryland and Virginia — Anne Arundel, Central and Southeast Howard, Central and Southeast Montgomery, Charles, Prince George’s, Southern Baltimore, Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria, Central and Southeast Prince. William/Manassas/Manassas Park, Fairfax, King George, Spotsylvania and Stafford.
- A coastal flood warning is in effect in Anne Arundel County, Maryland for areas close to shore until 8 a.m. Sunday.
- A coastal flood warning for the shoreline in D.C. is in effect until Sunday at 7 a.m., especially around the time of high tide. A coastal flood advisory then goes into effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
- A coastal flood warning is in effect for Arlington County and the city of Alexandria in Virginia through Sunday at 7 a.m. A coastal flood advisory then goes into effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
- A coastal flood advisory is in effect for Fairfax, Stafford and parts of Prince William counties in Virginia from Saturday afternoon through Sunday at 5 a.m.
7News First Alert Meteorologist Mark Peña said Sunday morning’s weather “will depend on the storm’s trajectory,” potentially bringing showers and scattered drizzle.
WTOP Meteorologist Briana Bermensolo said showers are expected to “wrap up” Sunday afternoon.
“Expect cloudy skies the rest of Sunday with temperatures staying in the 60s,” Peña said.
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From tropical storm to tropical depression
At 7:44 p.m. on Saturday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said that Ophelia had slowed to become a tropical depression, which is a weak form of a tropical storm, and all storm surge and tropical storm warnings had been discontinued.
The center also said the storm will probably be classified as a post-tropical cyclone later on Sunday, as it continues to weaken.
The impact of the storm, so far
Ophelia whipped up some destructive winds and rain on Saturday while it was still classified as a tropical storm.
Almost three inches of rainfall were recorded by the NWS in the evening in Calvert and Prince George’s counties in Maryland. Wind gusts also reached a high of 56 mph in parts of southern Maryland, according to the service.
Many outdoor events were cancelled on Saturday, including the beginning of Oktoberfest festivities, arts and cultural festivals throughout the region and the Anacostia River Splash.
The Washington Nationals’ second Saturday game against the Atlanta Braves was also postponed and is now taking place on Sunday at 6:35 p.m.
Outages
The storm also had a large impact on homes and business in the area on Saturday, with over 2,000 customers without power in the evening.
As of early Sunday morning, most of the outages were concentrated in northern Virginia with Dominion, with 944 customers out of power in Fairfax County and 50 out of power in Arlington County.
There were also over 500 Pepco customers in D.C. and southern Maryland in the dark as of early Sunday, spread across the District, Montgomery County and Prince George’s County.
Forecast
SUNDAY:
Leftover showers, cloudy all day and breezyWind Gusts: 20-30 mphHighs: Upper 60s
MONDAY:
Mostly cloudy, isolated showersHighs: Upper 60sWinds: North 5-10 mph
TUESDAY:
Mostly cloudyHighs: Around 70 degreesWinds: Northeast 10-15 mph