Baltimore, Maryland – A significant threat of severe thunderstorms, including damaging winds and large hail, is expected across the greater Baltimore-Washington D.C. metropolitan area and much of Virginia between 2 PM and 7 PM today. Isolated tornadoes and instances of localized flooding are also possible as a strong cold front moves through the region.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS) Sterling, Virginia office, an Enhanced (Level 3 of 5) risk for severe weather is in place for areas including Frederick, Hagerstown, Charlottesville, and Washington D.C. This enhanced risk means more persistent and/or widespread storms are likely, with several severe storms potentially becoming significant.
Residents in cities like Richmond, Alexandria, and Leesburg should prepare for sudden changes in weather conditions. Damaging winds pose a risk to power lines and could lead to outages. Large hail may cause property damage. It is crucial for everyone to have multiple ways to receive watches and warnings via phone, TV, or radio.
Compounding the storm threat, hot and humid conditions are settling in, with heat index values expected to climb near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, especially east of the Blue Ridge. Ensure all electronic devices are charged in case of power disruptions and stay hydrated.
The severe weather threat is expected to diminish after 7 PM tonight. Additional advisories and alerts could follow if conditions warrant.
