Ophelia’s impacts in the nation’s capital

 

"Ophelia" brought plenty of rain to the DC Metro Area

Tropical Storm Ophelia was a high impact weather system for the Mid-Atlantic Region.  Although it was a touch below hurricane status with 70 mph sustained winds when it made landfall at peak intensity on September 23 in North Carolina, its impacts were still significant and far-reaching. 

Heavy rain and gusty winds enveloped the nation’s capital and entire DMV (“District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia”).  Widespread 2” – 4” rainfall totals were common as Ophelia tracked north.  Although it weakened to a non-tropical or “post-tropical cyclone” by the time it reached the immediate DC Metro Area, its impacts were no less significant. 

Temperatures have also felt more like late-October than late-September over the last two days.  That’s a far cry from the record heat that Washingtonians endured to start the month.  The past two days featured highs of 65° and 69°, respectively, at National Airport.  That made for DC’s first such instance of consecutive daily high temperatures in the 60s during the month of September since 2020. 

While no additional heavy rain is expected this week, my colleagues and I on the WUSA9 weather team expect shower chances to continue for much of the week with below average temperatures.

Rainfall Totals from “Ophelia”  (Source: National Weather Service)

3.86” – Prince Frederick, Maryland
3.25” – Chantilly, Virginia
2.86” – Dulles Airport, Sterling, Virginia
2.81” – Damascus, Maryland
2.56” – Leesburg, Virginia
2.51” – Culpeper, Virginia
2.47” – Washington, D.C.
2.25” – National Airport, Arlington, Virginia
2.15” – Alexandria, Virginia
2.04” – BWI Airport, Baltimore, Maryland
2.00” – Garrett Park, Maryland
1.25” – Chestertown, Maryland