Storms Could Precede Irene's Arrival

Another tropical storm warning was issued for the area at 6:32 a.m. Friday as Hurricane Irene continues to roll toward the East Coast, albeit packing less of a punch than Thursday night.

and Irene was downgraded overnight to a high-end Category 2 hurricane, but is expected to return to a Category 3 storm again later Friday, according to The Weather Channel.

The NWS also issued a flash flood watch for portions of the Washington Metropolitan area and southern Maryland.

Gaithersburg Forecast

In Gaithersburg, the National Weather Service calls for scattered showers and thunderstorms after 3 p.m. today. There's a chance of showers before 11 p.m., but overall only a 20 percent chance of rain.

Saturday brings an increased chance of rain and thunderstorms. Winds could increase throughout the day to nearly 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

Winds will continue to grow stronger Saturday night, with sustained speeds between 32 and 37 mph. Tropical storm conditions are possible, with more rain and a possible thunderstorm. An inch or two of rain is possible.

Storm conditions could continue into Sunday, but with lessened wind speeds.

Irene's Path

The center of the storm was about 660 miles south of Washington at 6 a.m. Friday, according to the NWS. That means it , or about 13.3 mph.

Irene is expected to make landfall on the East Cost late Saturday morning or early Saturday afternoon in North Carolina as a borderline Category 2 or 3 hurricane before heading north, reports The Weather Channel.

Preparedness

The expected wind speeds for the area could cause minor damage to older mobile homes, according to the NWS, and recommends moving loose items such as garbage cans and lawn furniture indoors. Newly planted or young trees and shrubs could be uprooted. Isolated power outages will be possible.

Tips for preparing for a hurricane are available on the FEMA website.