Tornado watch for entire DC region until late Monday as storms blow through
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The entire D.C. region is under a tornado watch until late Monday night as rounds of severe thunderstorms have rolled through the area bringing heavy rain, hail and flash flooding.
Here’s what you need to know.
The tornado watch from the National Weather Service lasts until 11 p.m. The watch covers D.C.; Anne Arundel, Charles, Frederick, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in Maryland; and all of Northern Virginia.
A tornado watch means that conditions are favorable for strong storms and possible tornadoes to develop. The NWS said any severe storms could pack wind gusts up to 70 mph and ping-pong ball sized hail, along with the chance for a tornado.
A Tornado Watch has been issued for areas east of the Blue Ridge & Catoctin Mountains until 11 PM. Severe thunderstorms will be capable of producing tornadoes. Hail up to the size of ping pong balls and 70 mph wind gusts are also possible. #MDwx #WVwx #VAwx #DCwx pic.twitter.com/97zyCfECdY
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) May 27, 2024
By about 8 p.m., much of the region was either being hit by or bracing for stormy weather.
Shortly before 7 p.m., a strong storm to the North and West of D.C. triggered a severe thunderstorm warning from the National Weather Service.
The storm was located near Ashburn, Virginia, moving east at 20 mph. The warning covers parts of Fairfax and Loudoun counties in Virginia and parts of Montgomery County in Maryland. The weather service warned of 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail. That system continued to push to the west and trigger more warnings in the D.C. metro area.
Earlier, another storm crossed over Frederick, Maryland, around 5 p.m. and continued to push west over Mount Airy and Eldersburg. That cell was packing wind gusts of 60-65 mph, according to Stinneford, and triggered severe thunderstorm warnings in parts of Montgomery, Howard, Carroll, Frederick, Washington and Baltimore counties as it moved through the northern portion of Maryland.
The system also set off a flash flood warning for part of Howard and Baltimore counties and Baltimore City, lasting until 10:30 p.m.
The NWS said the worst of the storm activity will likely take place along and east of I-95, particularly in northeastern Maryland.
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Effects of severe weather on Memorial Day
The impact of the severe weather has led to Annapolis and Rockville canceling their respective Memorial Day parades.
The unstable weather has been the pattern all weekend: humid conditions throughout the day, ending with rainfall and storms overnight. Parts of the region experienced a stray shower or thunderstorm Sunday evening, as well.
Any outdoor barbecues or poolside events should definitely be prepared for a rainy day or move toward the early evening hours to avoid much of the damage caused by the storms, said 7News First Alert meteorologist Brian van de Graaff.
All the storms should move out of the region by Monday night with cool, dry conditions and temperatures dropping into the 60s.
“It should actually make for a pretty nice night if you have some plans for later on,” van de Graaff said.
Tuesday will be a pleasant day, with the possibility of a passing shower in the afternoon, Stinneford said, adding that “another cold front may set off storms Wednesday afternoon, leading to very pleasant weather Thursday and Friday.”
More Memorial Day news
Events in the DC area that commemorate Memorial Day holiday
‘Be patient’: DC-area drivers hit the road to beat the Memorial Day weekend traffic
What you need to know about road closures in DC this Memorial Day weekend
Memorial Day 2024: What’s open, what’s closed around DC area
Full forecast
MONDAY EVENING
Scattered thunderstorms. Storms may produce damaging winds, larges hail and isolated tornadoes
Temps: Falling into the low 70s
OVERNIGHT
Clearing and cooler
Lows: 60-68
Winds: West 6-12mph
Lingering showers and storms will diminish overnight as winds shift westerly, ushering in cooler, drier air.
TUESDAY
Mostly sunny, less humid
Brief passing PM shower possible
Highs: Mid to upper 70s
Winds: West 5-10 mph
Mostly sunny, less humid, and seasonable. Some guidance suggests a brief passing afternoon shower possible, but if any were to appear, they would be brief.
WEDNESDAY
Partly sunny
Chance of T-showers
Highs: 72-78
Winds: West 5-10 mph
Mostly sunny skies will give way to a chance of isolated afternoon showers.
THURSDAY AND FRIDAY
Sunny and pleasant
Highs: Low to mid 70s
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WTOP’s Acacia James and the Associated Press contributed to this report. WTOP’s Ivy Lyons and José Umaña contributed to this report.
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