Forecasters say an approaching cold front will bring the potential for flooding and damaging winds on Wednesday.

Be on the lookout for severe weather alerts. The heaviest of the rain is expected to hit the immediate D.C. Metro area in the afternoon.

The National Weather Service issued the following advisory for the D.C. area:

STRONG COLD FRONT WILL IMPACT THE REGION WEDNESDAY INTO EARLY THURSDAY. THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR HEAVY RAINFALL AND FLOODING ACROSS THE OUTLOOK AREA. IN ADDITION…A FEW STRONG THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WIND GUSTS WILL BE POSSIBLE WEDNESDAY AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

MINOR COASTAL FLOODING IS LIKELY ALONG THE WESTERN SHORE OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AND TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER WEDNESDAY INTO THURSDAY. MODERATE COASTAL FLOODING IS ALSO POSSIBLE AT SENSITIVE SITES WEDNESDAY AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR THE ENTIRE MARYLAND PORTION OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AND TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER WEDNESDAY…AND WILL LIKELY NEED TO BE EXTENDED INTO WEDNESDAY NIGHT. GALES ARE ALSO POSSIBLE WEDNESDAY AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT.