UPDATE – Tornado Watch Issued For Southern Maryland And Much Of Mid-Atlantic Until 7 PM
CALIFORNIA, Md. — Southern Maryland is under a Moderate Risk for severe thunderstorms Monday, according to the National Weather Service and the Storm Prediction Center, with forecasters warning that damaging winds and a few tornadoes are possible across the region.
The upgraded risk level — a Level 4 out of 5 on the severe weather scale — indicates the potential for widespread severe storms capable of producing significant impacts.
Forecasters say storms developing along a powerful cold front could bring wind gusts of 65 to 75 mph, capable of downing trees, damaging structures and causing scattered power outages across the region.
The National Weather Service said a few tornadoes are possible, potentially strong.
Southern Maryland counties including St. Mary’s, Charles and Calvert fall within the moderate risk area, along with much of central Maryland and the Washington, D.C. metro region.
Storms may also produce frequent lightning and brief heavy downpours.
Timing Of The Storms
Meteorologists expect the severe weather threat to develop Monday afternoon and continue into the evening.
Storms are expected to begin forming west of the Blue Ridge Mountains around midday before moving east toward the Chesapeake Bay and Southern Maryland between approximately 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.
As the system moves east, storms may organize into a line of severe thunderstorms, increasing the potential for widespread damaging winds.
Why The Storms Could Be Strong
Meteorologists say the severe weather threat is being driven by a strong low-pressure system and cold front moving across the eastern United States, combining with warm, moist air moving north from the Gulf of Mexico.
That combination can create unstable atmospheric conditions capable of producing fast-moving thunderstorms with damaging winds and tornadoes.
What Residents Should Do
Officials urge residents to stay alert for weather warnings Monday and have multiple ways to receive alerts, including NOAA Weather Radio, mobile alerts or local media.
Residents should also secure outdoor objects, review severe weather safety plans and be prepared to seek shelter quickly if warnings are issued.
The cold front is expected to move offshore by early Tuesday, bringing cooler and windy conditions to the region after the storms pass.
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