Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued for Parts of Maryland and Virginia

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for parts of Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia until 8 p.m. Saturday, as strong storms may develop across the region during the afternoon and evening.

In Maryland, the watch includes Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett and Washington counties. In Virginia, it covers Frederick County and the city of Winchester. In West Virginia, Hampshire, Mineral, Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan counties are included in the watch area.

Forecasters say the main threats from any storms that do form are damaging wind gusts, hail and heavy rainfall. The watch indicates that weather conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms to develop, but it does not mean severe weather is already occurring. Residents are being urged to stay alert through the evening and be ready to move to shelter if warnings are issued.

The weather system is expected to bring scattered showers and storms tonight, especially north of Interstate 66 through sunset. Any stronger storms could produce damaging winds, brief heavy downpours and lightning. After sunset, the threat for storms is expected to decrease significantly, though a few lingering showers could continue until around midnight. Skies are expected to remain mostly cloudy overnight with mild temperatures in the 60s.

On Sunday, partly cloudy skies and isolated showers or storms are possible, mainly south of I-66. High temperatures are expected to reach the upper 80s to low 90s, with south winds around 10 to 15 mph. Humidity should be a little lower than recent days, but conditions will remain warm to hot across much of the DMV region.

Monday is forecast to be the coolest day of the week, with sunny skies and highs in the upper 70s to mid-80s. Tuesday is expected to turn mostly sunny again with highs in the low to mid-80s as temperatures begin climbing back up. By Wednesday, hotter and more humid weather returns, bringing another chance for isolated to scattered afternoon showers and thunderstorms.

Residents in the affected areas should continue monitoring updated forecasts, especially as storm timing and intensity can change quickly. The severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until 8 p.m. Saturday.