Richmond, VA – Millions of residents across Virginia and Maryland are under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch Monday afternoon and evening as forecasters warn of potentially damaging storms capable of producing strong winds, hail and isolated tornadoes.
According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, Severe Thunderstorm Watch 375 remains in effect until 9 p.m. EDT Monday, June 22, covering much of Virginia and nearly all of Maryland.
The watch includes major population centers such as Richmond, Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Manassas, Fredericksburg, Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Harrisonburg and Winchester in Virginia. In Maryland, the watch covers Baltimore, Annapolis, Columbia, Frederick, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Waldorf, Salisbury and surrounding communities.
Counties included stretch from Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C., suburbs south through the Richmond metro area and east to Virginia’s Northern Neck and Eastern Shore. In Maryland, the watch extends from Western Maryland to the Chesapeake Bay region, Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore.
Forecasters say severe thunderstorms may produce damaging wind gusts capable of downing trees and power lines, frequent cloud-to-ground lightning, torrential rainfall and hail. A few storms may also become capable of producing isolated tornadoes.
Travel could become hazardous along Interstate 95, Interstate 64, Interstate 81, Interstate 66, Interstate 70, Interstate 270 and portions of the Capital Beltway during the evening commute.
Boaters should also remain alert, as the watch extends across portions of the Chesapeake Bay, Tidal Potomac River, Patapsco River, Choptank River, Tangier Sound and nearby coastal waters.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms to develop. Residents should monitor forecasts closely and be prepared to seek shelter immediately if warnings are issued later today.
The strongest storms are expected from late afternoon through the evening before conditions improve overnight.
