A tornado watch is in effect for nearly all of Maryland until 6 p.m. Thursday, with the Washington-Southern Maryland area under the greatest risk for severe weather.
According to the National Weather Service:
An intense low pressure system will move from the Ohio Valley today into the Northern Great Lakes tonight. A strong cold front extending from this low system will cross the region today … reaching the Chesapeake Bay this evening.
Thunderstorms are expected to develop along and ahead of the front this afternoon. Unseasonably strong winds will lead to some thunderstorms producing severe weather.
Winds in the atmosphere are also favorable for tornadoes to develop. This storm system has a history of producing severe weather and tornadoes for the last few days.
The greatest risk of severe weather today is in the Balt-Wash area and Southern Maryland.
The most likely time for severe weather will be during the afternoon hours.
In addition, much of the area will experience moderate rain through the afternoon hours. The heaviest showers and thunderstorms will produce a few areas of torrential rainfall will be possible which could lead to isolated flooding.
Everyone across the area is urged to closely monitor weather condition.
Be prepared to seek safe shelter immediately today as thunderstorms will be moving very quickly, in excess of 50 mph.