Posted at 2:55 PM ET, 09/27/2010

Flood warning for E Montgomery and W Howard Co

By Jason Samenow

Flood watch issued for entire metro region

* Full Forecast | Hefty rain totals likely | Tornado risk | Dr. Gridlock *

Updated at 2:55, and 2:20 p.m. Originally posted at 1:30 p.m.

Photo of flooding in Bethesda, Md. (around 1 p.m.)

The Flash Flood Warning issued around 1:20 p.m. continues for eastern Montgomery and western Howard county through 4:15 p.m. The warning has been extended northward into eastern Carroll and western Baltimore counties.

The National Weather Service has also issued a Flash Flood Watch, covering the entire region, and cautions:

RAINFALL AMOUNTS BETWEEN 2 AND 4 INCHES ARE EXPECTED ACROSS MOST LOCATIONS WITH ISOLATED AMOUNTS UP TO 5 INCHES IN BANDS OF HEAVIER RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS.

While rain is more scattered than earlier, intermittent showers - some heavy - will continue to pulse through the region (including those not under warnings) from south to north potentially making for a challenging evening commute.

Doppler estimated rainfall suggests 1-2.5" of rain has already fallen in some areas -- particularly those currently under flood warnings. Do not attempt to drive across flooded roadways. Turn around, don't drown.

Monitor severe warnings issued by the National Weather Service and radar on our Severe Weather Tracking Station below. Also, comment below with conditions where you are. And see our full forecast through next weekend.

Keep reading for earlier updates...

From the National Weather Service:

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
WESTERN HOWARD COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND...
EASTERN MONTGOMERY COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND...

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED HEAVY RAIN FROM TRAINING THUNDERSTORMS OVER MONTGOMERY COUNTY AND WESTERN HOWARD COUNTY. MONTGOMERY COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REPORTED THAT ROADS WERE BEING CLOSED IN AND AROUND ROCK CREEK IN THE ROCKVILLE AREA.

* SOME LOCATIONS THAT WILL CONTINUE TO BE AFFECTED BY THE HEAVY RAIN INCLUDE ASPEN HILL ... COLESVILLE ...DAMASCUS... GAITHERSBURG... MONTGOMERY VILLAGE ... OLNEY ... POTOMAC AND ROCKVILLE.