Rain Marks Start Of Autumn In Northern Virginia, With Potential Nor'Easter On Its Heels

Autumn officially begins Tuesday evening, and its rain is arriving a few hours early, with a potential nor'easter not far behind. This week's storms could bring heavy rain, damaging winds and the potential for serious coastal flooding.

The first round of rain arrives Monday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. Northern Virginia residents can expect showers to stick around through 5 p.m. and return again after 9 p.m.

Temperatures will drop to around 60 degrees overnight and budge only a little bit through Tuesday.

Tuesday brings more rain, wind gusts up to 22 mph and the possibility of thunderstorms. Temperatures Tuesday night will drop into the mid-50s.

Rain is likely again Wednesday before 2 p.m., before the region begins to dry out and temperatures rebound just slightly for the rest of the week.

A Threatening Nor'easter

The rain during the beginning of the week isn't the only storm being tracked. According to Accuweather, another storm is predicted to form a few hundred miles off the mid-Atlantic coast this week.

Depending on the storm's development, high winds, erosive surf and coastal flooding are possible from eastern North Carolina and Virginia to New England, the outlet warns.

Southeastern Virginia in particular could see heavy rain and major tidal impacts.

"The rain could extend far enough north to ease the ongoing drought in Maine," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Chad Merrill said in a statement.

"Regardless of how close to the coast the storm tracks, it has the potential to become strong enough to bring soaking rain and gusty winds in coastal areas, while prolonged rough surf may cause well-above-normal tides and beach erosion."

The storms, timed with the full moon's return, will see water levels pushed "even higher," according to AccuWeather.

Detailed Forecast For Northern Virginia

This afternoon: Showers, mainly before 5 p.m. High near 74. Northeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of rain: 90 percent. Less than one-tenth of an inch of rain possible.

Tonight: Rain, mainly after 9 p.m. Low around 60. East wind around 8 mph. Chance of rain: 90 percent. Between one-tenth and one-quarter of an inch of rain possible.

Tuesday: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm, with patchy fog. High near 64. Northeast wind around 11 mph, with gusts up to 22 mph. Chance of rain: 90 percent. Between one-half and three-quarters of an inch of rain possible.

Tuesday night: Rain, with patchy fog before 2 a.m. Low around 54. Northeast wind 11 to 13 mph, with gusts up to 21 mph. Chance of rain: 90 percent. Between one-quarter and one-half of an inch of rain possible.

Wednesday: Rain, mainly before 2 p.m. High near 64. Northeast wind around 11 mph, with gusts up to 22 mph. Chance of rain: 80 percent.

Wednesday night: A chance of rain, mainly before 8 p.m. Cloudy, with a low around 53. Chance of rain: 30 percent.

Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 67.

Thursday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.

Friday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.

Saturday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.

Sunday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.

See also: Confidence In Historic Super El Niño Grows: What To Know In VA

See also: 20 Fall Festivals To Celebrate Autumn Across Virginia