Richmond, Virginia – More than 12.8 million people across the Mid-Atlantic are under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch as strong storms capable of producing damaging winds, hail and frequent lightning move through the region Sunday evening.
According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, Severe Thunderstorm Watch 335 remains in effect until 11 p.m. EDT for portions of Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia and eastern West Virginia. The watch area includes major population centers such as Washington, Baltimore, Richmond, Fredericksburg, Waldorf, Hagerstown, Harrisonburg, Staunton and Roanoke.
The primary threat is scattered damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph, which could bring down trees, damage power lines and create hazardous travel conditions. Isolated hail up to ping pong ball size is also possible with the strongest thunderstorms. Frequent cloud-to-ground lightning may accompany storms moving across the region through the evening hours.
Across Virginia – Maryland, the severe weather threat extends along key travel corridors including Interstate 95, Interstate 66, Interstate 70, Interstate 81 and Interstate 64. Motorists should be prepared for sudden visibility reductions, strong crosswinds and debris on roadways as storms intensify.
The watch area encompasses approximately 3,133 schools and 150 hospitals, highlighting the widespread population potentially affected by severe weather. Outdoor events across the Washington-Baltimore corridor and central Virginia should have immediate shelter plans in place.
Residents are urged to secure outdoor items, charge mobile devices and have multiple ways to receive warnings. Thunderstorms can strengthen rapidly, and warnings may be issued with little advance notice.
The severe thunderstorm threat is expected to continue through 11 p.m. Sunday. Additional Severe Thunderstorm Warnings may be issued throughout the evening as storms track east across Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.
