Weather

Tornado Watch Issued For Northern Virginia, DC Overnight

A tornado watch is in effect for much of northern Virginia, and Washington, DC, overnight. Residents are urged to look for alerts.

A tornado watch is in effect for much of northern Virginia, plus Washington, D.C., until early Monday morning.
A tornado watch is in effect for much of northern Virginia, plus Washington, D.C., until early Monday morning. (Image via Shutterstock)

WASHINGTON, DC — A tornado watch is in effect for parts of northern Virginia plus Washington, D.C., until early Monday morning, according to the National Weather Service. At 6:05 p.m. Sunday, the National Weather Service issued the tornado watch, which runs until 3 a.m. on April 15.

Two rounds of showers and scattered thunderstorms are expected Sunday night into Monday that could generate damaging wind gusts and an isolated tornado. Heavy rain in thunderstorms may lead to isolated instances of flooding, the weather service says.

Strong winds with isolated wind damage are possible Monday. Gusts of up to 50 mph are possible, especially in the afternoon and early evening.

Find out what's happening in Washington DCwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A gale warning is in effect for the waters Monday and may need to be extended into Monday evening.

Along with the District of Columbia, areas that are part of the watch include: Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudon, Spotsylvania, Stafford and Warren counties, plus the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fredericksburg, Manassas, Manassas Park, and Staunton.

Find out what's happening in Washington DCwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Courtesy of the National Weather Service

The NWS emphasizes that the mid-Atlantic region is at risk for flooding, damaging winds, tornadoes, hail, and lightning storms every year.

You can also take actions to remain safe by practicing these tips:

  • During flooding, never drive over an area where water is flowing over the road and you cannot see the pavement. Turn around, don't drown.
  • If a severe thunderstorm warning is issued or you are experiencing strong winds, get to a sturdy shelter and stay indoors away from windows.
  • Tornadoes can form rapidly in the right conditions. If there is a tornado warning or you see a tornado, quickly get inside and go to the lowest floor possible.
  • If you hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck from a fringe lightning strike. More than 98% of lightning casualties are from people outdoors—get indoors or inside your vehicle if possible.

The National Weather Service urged residents to pay attention to the weather for any severe thunderstorm or tornado warnings that are issued. If threatening weather approaches, move indoors and away from windows.

Here's the latest forecast:

Sunday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 11pm and 5am, then scattered showers and thunderstorms after 5am. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds and heavy rain. Low around 56. South wind 11 to 17 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Monday: Isolated showers before 8am, then a slight chance of showers after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. Breezy, with a west wind 16 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42. Northwest wind 9 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.


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