Periods of drenching rain and gusty winds made for a challenging Saturday as roads flooded and some trees were reported down.  With the same moist, unstable airmass in place today, an encore performance of thunderstorms and heavy downpours is already occurring, especially on the eastern shore and north toward Baltimore.  Flash Flood Warnings remain in effect for those areas as very heavy rain batters the region.  Most of the metro region is under a Flash Flood Watch through this evening.  Even though most streams are low, the sudden bursts of heavy rain can cause them and nearby roads to flood.  Please use extreme caution when driving in any flooded areas.

Rainfall tallies yesterday were generally less than an inch at the major airport reporting stations - DCA at 0.41 inches, Dulles at 0.36 inches, and BWI Marshall at 0.82 inches - but much higher amounts were reported with the highest being in Nelson County, Virginia where flooding followed almost 5 inches of rain.  An additional 1 to 2 inches could fall today with higher amounts possible.  The high temperature yesterday at Reagan National was 86, the coolest reading this month, but with a daily low of 74, the average temperature was still 1 degree above normal, keeping August's record of every day being above normal, intact.

The threat of showers will be with us through much of the week, with only Wednesday promising to be a sunny, dry day.  After the current series of low pressure systems moves through, yet another period of instability returns on Wednesday and will last through week's end.  Daytime high during the week should be at or slightly below the seasonal norm of 87.

Take it easy and enjoy these damp days!