MD Tornado Watch: Hail, Tornadoes, 70MPH Wind Gusts Possible

MARYLAND — The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch Monday for most of Maryland until 11 p.m. 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, the agency said.

The watch includes the Baltimore-Washington, D.C., region and covers areas east of the Blue Ridge and Catoctin Mountains. Also part of the watch area is Ocean City and the Eastern Shore, typically packed with Memorial Day weekend crowds.

"Please remember to seek shelter immediately when thunderstorms are occurring or imminent. When thunder roars, go indoors," the NWS said.

A tornado watch means that conditions are favorable for strong storms and possible tornadoes to develop.

Maryland counties included in the watch are Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George's, Somerset, St. Marys, Wicomico and Worcester, plus the city of Baltimore.

The National Weather Service said that showers and isolated thunderstorms are developing Monday afternoon “but quickly pushing east of the area.” However, more thunderstorms are expected to develop later in the afternoon and those are more likely to become severe.

“The atmosphere will destabilize this afternoon ahead of a strong cold front. There will be a risk of severe thunderstorms, with a threat of damaging winds, hail and isolated tornadoes,” WTOP meteorologist Mike Stinneford said, adding that the “severe threat will end before sunset.”

Here's the latest Maryland forecast from the National Weather Service:

Memorial Day: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. South wind around 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Monday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 8pm. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 68. South wind around 7 mph becoming west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday: A slight chance of showers between 2pm and 5pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Sunny, with a high near 85. West wind 7 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64. Northwest wind 6 to 8 mph.

Wednesday: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. West wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Wednesday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 80.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61.