Severe Weather: Tornado Watch In Effect for Virginia

The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center is forecasting a risk of "severe thunderstorms" Friday afternoon and evening from eastern Georgia and the Carolinas northward across Virginia and Maryland and into southern Pennsylvania.

The watch is also in effect for Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria and Loudoun counties, among other areas of the state.

"The main threat is damaging wind, though a few supercell thunderstorms, capable of producing tornadoes, are possible," the organization said on its website.

A tornado watch indicates "conditions are favorable for a tornado and that tornadoes are possible." It is not as severe as a warning, which means a tornado has been sighted or detected on radar, Fairfax County says in its emergency blog.

Thunderstorms in our area tend to mean power outages are also on the way.

Prone to outages? Dominion Power offers these tips:

Before A Storm:

• Stock up on candles, matches and battery-operated flashights (as well as plenty of batteries!)
• Make sure your cell phone battery is fully charged.
• Have non-perishable food on hand.
• If your home loses power, turn of all appliances in case your home experiences a power surge when the power is restored.

PATCH WANTS TO KNOW - How do you prepare for stormy weather? Tell us in the comments.