WTOP: The D.C. region is under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch as strong storms are expected to roll in Monday evening.
The watch from the National Weather Service — which means conditions are favorable for severe storms — goes until 9 p.m. The watch covers D.C., all of Northern Virginia and Anne Arundel, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in Maryland.
The weather service said the storms could include scattered damaging wind gusts up to 65 mph and large pingpong ball-sized hail.
The storms are expected to develop in West Virginia and move east-northeast toward the Interstate 95 corridor later Monday afternoon.
“The evening commute will likely be greatly impacted by Monday’s weather,” 7News Meteorologist Brian van de Graaff said earlier Monday.
WTOP meteorologist Mike Stinneford said the latest computer model guidance indicated a window of 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. for the severe weather — slightly later than earlier predictions.
Afternoon commuters are encouraged to take caution, as damaging winds and heavy rain could cause downed power lines and debris. There’s also a chance for flooding in low-lying areas such as near creeks and streams, van de Graaff said.
Meteorologists say they also can’t rule out the possibility of an isolated tornado.
The severe threat is expected to end after sunset, Stinneford said.
The next chance for wet weather comes Tuesday with a chance of scattered showers and storms in the afternoon and evening.
Forecast
INTO THE EVENING: Muggy with scattered thunderstorms developing. Storms may produce damaging winds, large hail, and isolated tornadoes.
LATER MONDAY NIGHT: Thunderstorms ending before midnight. Partial clearing overnight. Lows mid 60s to lower 70s
TUESDAY: A chance of showers and afternoon storms. Cooler. Highs low to mid 80s
WEDNESDAY: Partly cloudy with isolated afternoon storms. Highs upper 70s to lower 80s
THURSDAY: Mostly sunny. Highs low to mid 80s
