Helene made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane last night and has been slamming the Southeast straight into this afternoon. Flash flooding, severe weather, and strong winds continue to impact the Carolinas, Georgia, and southwest VA as the DMV sits on the fringe of the worst conditions. All we have seen is scattered, light rain falling on and off since sunrise. One of Helene's outer bands works north across central VA, bringing heavy rainfall. These pockets of heavier rain will dissipate the more north they go, but near the Blue Ridge and Shenandoah Valley, rainfall totals of 1-3" from this heavy rain could occur, so a Flood Watch is in place until 8 PM. As we saw earlier in the year with Debby, the spin-up tornado threat from tropical systems can't be counted out. Parts of North Carolina and southern VA are expected to deal with the severe weather along Helene's outer bands this afternoon before they weaken. Still, our southern counties could experience a spin-up tornado if they hold their strength. A minor threat for this tornado chance is in place this afternoon for southern MD and central VA. The last thing we will have to deal with as Helene passes by will be the wind. Most of the DMV, especially lower elevations to the east, will only get breezy with 20-30 mph peak gusts. Into the higher terrain of the mountains could get a little nasty, and a Wind Advisory is in place for the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Front until 11 PM, where gusts could reach 40-50 mph. All of these threats will be over with tonight as Helene's remnants rotate west of us. Drier conditions and some clearing are expected across the DMV into Saturday, giving us sunshine for the first time in days! A few isolated showers will still be possible, but we should start the weekend much drier and warmer. Helene's remnant low will get pushed back east by Sunday, bringing wet weather back to the DMV. Scattered rain and showers will return and continue through Tuesday while Helene's remnant low takes its time moving through. Some heavier rain could fall, but we shouldn't see significant impacts from this unsettled weather. A strong cold front from the north will sweep things clean into the second half of next week, giving us sunshine and cool, crisp fall conditions from Wednesday onward. Stay safe and dry out there, and have a fantastic weekend! 7-Day Forecast: Today: Cloudy, foggy, and breezy with waves of rain and a few thunderstorms. Heavy rain will be possible, especially across VA. Winds: E 15-25 mph, High: 77 (73-80) Tonight: Cloudy and foggy with scattered rain early. Winds: ESE 8-12 mph, Low: 71 (67-74) Saturday: Partly cloudy with isolated showers. Winds: SSE 5-10 mph, High: 84 (78-86), Low: 68 (63-71) Sunday: Cloudy with PM rain. Highs will be in the 70s with lows in the 60s. Monday: Cloudy with scattered showers and rain. Highs will be in the lower to middle 70s with lows in the 60s. Tuesday: Cloudy with scattered showers. Highs will be in the lower to middle 70s with lows in the lower to middle 60s. Wednesday: Partly cloudy skies. Highs will be in the upper 60s to lower 70s with lows in the 50s. Thursday: Mostly sunny skies. Highs will be in the lower to middle 70s with lows in the upper 40s to lower 50s.