The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, OK has issued a SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH for the Mid-Atlantic, including:
- Anne Arundel (MD)
- Calvert (MD)
- Charles (MD)
- Prince Georges (MD)
- St. Mary’s (MD)
- King George (VA)
- Lancaster (VA)
- Northumberland (VA)
- Richmond (VA)
- Westmoreland (VA)
This watch is in effect until 10PM Friday. Primary threats this evening are:
- Damaging wind gusts up to 65mph possible
- A couple of spin up tornadoes possible
- Hail up to 1.5″ possible
SUMMARY: A few discrete cells with transient supercell structures should persist for a few hours as they spread northeast, mainly across portions of Virginia.
Shown above is how our Chesapeake’s Bounty Futurecast simulating how events may unfold this evening. The severe risk this evening will not be nearly as high as it was this morning. However, the threat is not zero. There is still some storm energy in the atmosphere for developing storms to feed off of, and there is an ample amount of “spin” in the atmosphere for storms to potentially tap into. At this point, it is a waiting game to see if they do tap into these ingredients.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS: Remember, a Severe Thunderstorm WATCH just means that conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. People in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce tornadoes.
It will be important to stay with JB Weather for the latest information on Fred and the impacts here in Southern Maryland this afternoon. You can always access my forecasts and updates here on the website, on Facebook, on Twitter, and on YouTube. JB Weather is Southern Maryland’s Weather Leader, and I am working around the clock to keep you ahead of the storm!
-JB
