Norman, OK – A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 10 p.m. EDT Tuesday for portions of eastern West Virginia, where conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging weather.
According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, Severe Thunderstorm Watch 509 includes Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Mineral, Morgan, and Pendleton counties. A severe thunderstorm watch means atmospheric conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms to develop. It does not mean severe weather is already occurring.
The watch covers communities including Martinsburg, Charles Town, Keyser, Romney, Moorefield, Petersburg, Berkeley Springs, Franklin, and surrounding areas in the Eastern Panhandle and Potomac Highlands.
Forecasters say thunderstorms developing this afternoon and evening may produce damaging wind gusts exceeding 60 mph, large hail, frequent cloud-to-ground lightning, and torrential rainfall. Localized flooding is also possible where heavy rain falls in a short period, especially in low-lying and poor drainage areas.
Residents are urged to monitor weather conditions closely, enable emergency alerts on their phones, and have multiple ways to receive warnings throughout the evening. If a Severe Thunderstorm Warning is issued for your location, move indoors immediately, avoid windows, and postpone outdoor activities until the storms have passed.
The Storm Prediction Center and local National Weather Service offices will continue to monitor storm development and issue additional warnings if severe thunderstorms intensify across the region.
