Flash flood watch in effect in Washington County, strong storms expected this afternoon
Another burst of flash flooding could soak Western Maryland and south-central Pennsylvania this afternoon.
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for parts of Maryland, including Washington County, from 2 to 8 p.m. today.
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The watch comes 5 days after flash flooding temporarily swamped parts of Hagerstown. The Sept. 7 storm dumped more than 2 inches of rain on the Hagerstown Regional Airport, flooded some streets and damaged property.
A cold front sweeping through the area will bring at least the potential for more, according to the weather service.
“Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone areas,” the warning states.
The weather service also has issued a hazardous weather outlook for parts of Pennsylvania, including Franklin County.
“Strong to severe thunderstorms with gusty winds and small hail are possible this afternoon” and there’s “a small risk for an isolated, weak torando” in the Lower Susquehanna Valley and the Western Poconos, the statement reads.
Isolated areas in Maryland could see potential flash floods
Kyle Pallozzi, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Sterling, Va., said the flash floods, if they happen, will likely be in isolated areas in Maryland.
“Not everyone will see it,” he said.
Heavy storms could provide localized rainfall amounts of 2 to 3 inches in a short of time, according to the forecast.
Pallozzi said the cold front also will bring the potential for severe thunderstorms.
Calmer weather could come after the storm
Thunderstorms are in today’s forecast for Franklin County, Pa., and other parts of the commonwealth, according to the weather service.
“Some of those may contain some heavy downpours and some gusty winds,” said Matt Steinbugl, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in State College, Pa.
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He said the chance of flooding is higher east of the Interstate 81 corridor.
The cold front is part of a system that will affect weather in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, he said. The system will slide off the Atlantic Coast Tuesday, he said.
“Really, today’s the only active weather day this week,” Steinbugl said. “Once this system moves through, (we will see) really quiet weather into the weekend.”
Mike Lewis covers business, the economy and other issues. Follow Mike on Twitter: @MiLewis.
Correction: This story was updated at 2:52 p.m. to reflect the fact that Washington County is under a flash flood watch, not a warning. A flash flood watch indicates conditions are favorable for flash flooding. A flash flood warning indicates flash flooding is imminent or occurring.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Flash flood watch in effect for Washington County, Maryland
