VA, DC Tornado Watch: Hail, Tornadoes, 70MPH Wind Gusts Possible

WASHINGTON, DC — The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch Monday for the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia 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, Maryland, 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.

Virginia counties included in the watch are Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, Stafford and Spotsylvania, plus the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fredericksburg, Manassas, Manassas Park, Richmond, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Portsmouth.

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 Virginia forecast from the National Weather Service:

Memorial Day: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Some of the storms could be severe. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. Southwest wind 11 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth 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. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth 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 84. West wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.