WASHINGTON, D.C. — Much of the area has seen 0.75 to 1.25 inches of rain today, with bands west to around the northern Beltway closer to 2 inches, according to a rainfall analysis from Capital Weather Gang. It’s the coolest day since May across the region. Another 0.5 to 1 inch could fall through Wednesday midday, and forecasters are also watching for minor coastal flooding and a late-week Nor’easter.
Arlington Tops the Region With a Stunning 3.24 Inch Total
If you’re in Arlington, you’ve seen the single highest rainfall total anywhere on today’s map, with 3.24 inches recorded through mid-afternoon. That reading, shaded in red to stand out from the rest of the region, marks Arlington as the clear epicenter of today’s heaviest rain, well above what most of the surrounding D.C. metro has experienced.
Sterling and the Dulles Corridor Also Top 2 Inches
Just west, Sterling recorded 2.41 inches, with nearby readings of 1.91 inches and 1.51 inches scattered across the broader Dulles corridor. If you’re anywhere in this stretch of eastern Loudoun County, you’ve experienced some of the heaviest, most persistent rain of the entire event, part of the band forecasters specifically flagged as approaching 2 inches west toward the northern Beltway.
Purcellville and Middleburg See Over an Inch and a Half
Farther west, Purcellville picked up 1.48 inches, while Middleburg saw an even heavier 1.94 inches. If you’re in this part of western Loudoun and Fauquier County, today’s rain has been substantial, keeping pace with the heavier bands tracking through Sterling and the surrounding area.
Aspen Hill and Bethesda See a Solid Soaking in Montgomery County
Across Montgomery County, Aspen Hill recorded 1.06 inches, with Bethesda coming in higher at 1.53 inches. If you’re anywhere across this stretch of suburban Maryland, today’s totals put you solidly within the region’s more substantial rainfall band, part of the same system responsible for the standout numbers farther west and south.
Poolesville and Rockville Also See Meaningful Totals to the North
Just northwest, Poolesville recorded 0.97 inches, with the broader Rockville and upper Montgomery County area showing readings generally in the 1 to 1.3 inch range. If you’re in this part of the county, expect today’s rain to have added up to a genuinely wet afternoon, even without reaching the extremes seen closer to Arlington and Sterling.
Bowie and Annapolis See Lighter but Still Notable Rain
Farther east, Bowie recorded 0.92 inches, while Annapolis came in at 0.86 inches. If you’re anywhere across this stretch of central Maryland, today’s totals have been real but noticeably lighter than the heavier bands tracking through Northern Virginia, part of the natural tapering as the heaviest rain stayed concentrated farther west.
Prince William and Manassas See a Wide Range of Totals
Down in Prince William County, totals varied considerably, with Manassas recording 1.09 inches in one spot and just 0.10 inches in another nearby location. If you’re in this part of Northern Virginia, today’s rain has clearly come in bands, meaning your specific total may differ noticeably from a neighbor just a few miles away depending on exactly where those heavier cores tracked through.
Southern Maryland From Waldorf to Chesapeake Beach Sees Lighter Totals
Continuing south, Waldorf recorded 0.73 inches, with Clinton at 0.48 inches and Chesapeake Beach at 0.62 inches. If you’re anywhere across Southern Maryland, today’s rain has been meaningful but generally lighter than what’s fallen across the D.C. metro and Northern Virginia closer to the heaviest bands.
Today Marks the Coolest Day the Region Has Seen Since May
Beyond the rain itself, forecasters noted that today ranks as the coolest day since May, a genuine milestone after a long stretch of warmer weather. If you’ve felt a distinct chill in the air today compared to recent weeks, that’s not your imagination; this system has brought both substantial rainfall and a real, measurable cooldown to the entire region at the same time.
Another 0.5 to 1 Inch Possible Through Wednesday Midday
The rain isn’t over yet. Forecasters say another 0.5 to 1 inch could fall through Wednesday midday, meaning totals across the region, particularly in the areas that have already seen the heaviest rain near Arlington and Sterling, could climb even higher before this system finally clears out.
Minor Coastal Flooding a Concern as the System Continues
With this much rain falling across the region, forecasters are also watching for the potential of minor coastal flooding as the system continues moving through. If you’re anywhere near tidal waterways or low-lying coastal areas, particularly toward the Chesapeake Bay, keep an eye on updated forecasts, since saturated ground combined with any tidal influence could compound flooding concerns in the coming days.
Late-Week Nor’easter Also on the Radar
Beyond this system’s own lingering rain, forecasters are separately tracking the potential for a late-week Nor’easter to affect the region. While details on that system remain developing, its mere presence on the radar means residents across the D.C. metro should stay tuned to updated forecasts through the rest of the week rather than assuming today’s rain marks the end of an active stretch.
What Residents Across the DC Metro Should Do
If you’re anywhere across the region, from Arlington and Sterling in today’s heaviest bands to Bowie and Annapolis farther east, expect ground to remain saturated through Wednesday as additional rain continues falling. Avoid driving through any standing water on familiar roads, and keep an eye on both the potential for minor coastal flooding and the developing late-week Nor’easter as this active stretch of weather continues playing out across the D.C. area.
