The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for Loudoun County beginning at noon Friday and lasting until 11 p.m.

In Leesburg, showers and thunderstorms could start before noon, with another chance of showers and thunderstorms between noon and 2 p.m., and again after 2 p.m. Highs will be near 86.

Several more showers are expected to happen in intervals throughout the evening and overnight hours, NWS says.

The weather service predicts rainfall could amount to an inch to 2 inches per hour in afternoon storms. That amount could cause local rivers, streams or creeks to overflow and flood surrounding low-lying areas, NWS says.

The watch ends at 11 p.m. Friday.

A chance of storms continues throughout the weekend, but will bring some heat relief: Temperatures in Leesburg will hover in the low- to mid-80s.

Loudoun County public safety officials have reminded residents throughout the year to aware of the force of water and to "turn around, don't drown." Many deaths occur in automobiles when people and their vehicles are swept downstream.

Whether driving or walking, do not cross a flooded road or area; stop and turn around. The depth of water and the condition of the road cannot always be determined. Six inches of moving water can knock a person down and two feet of water can move large vehicles, including a buses.

More information on how to prepare for heavy rain and other weather-related hazards is online at www.loudoun.gov/flooding.

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