Tornado Watch Issued For 9 MD Counties As Storms Move In

Tornadoes and strong winds are a risk Sunday night as strong storms move through parts of Maryland. Nine counties are under a tornado watch until 10 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

Counties in the watch area include: Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Frederick, Montgomery, Howard, Prince George's, St. Mary's and Washington.

"Scattered severe thunderstorms will be capable of producing damaging wind gusts, large hail, and tornadoes," the National Weather Service said. "In addition, locally heavy rainfall may lead to isolated instances of flash flooding of small streams and urban/poor drainage areas, with the greatest risk south of Baltimore."

A tornado watch means tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area.

"There is some question as to whether the strongest storms, with the greatest potential for severe winds and tornadoes, will make it into the immediate D.C. area, or will be focused more to the south and west," The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang said.

A hazardous weather outlook is in effect for the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay, tidal Potomac River, and I-95 corridor through central Maryland, northern Virginia, and District of Columbia.

Here's the NWS forecast for Maryland for the week ahead:

Sunday Afternoon: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could be severe. High near 72. East wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Sunday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 2am, then isolated showers between 2am and 3am. Some of the storms could be severe. Patchy fog after 10pm. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 64. East wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Monday: Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Monday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely after 11pm. Increasing clouds, with a low around 66. Southeast wind 3 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday: Showers likely, mainly before 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. West wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 83.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 88.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.

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