Arlington County is under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 10:00 p.m. tonight, according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasters say severe storms may form as a cold front approaches the area. From Arlington County:
The NWS has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for the NCR, Northern Virginia, and Maryland, effective until 2200 tonight. A cold front will approach the area today and will produce numerous thunderstorms. A few of these storms will be capable of producing locally damaging wind gusts and large hail.
Update at 4:25 p.m. — The county is now under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A
* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR… THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA… SOUTHEASTERN MONTGOMERY COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND… CITY OF FAIRFAX IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… CITY OF FALLS CHURCH IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… ARLINGTON COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… CITY OF ALEXANDRIA IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… WESTERN PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND… CENTRAL FAIRFAX COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA…
* UNTIL 500 PM EDT
* AT 416 PM EDT…A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WAS DETECTED NEAR POTOMAC… AND ANOTHER OVER FAIRFAX CITY. THOSE STORMS ARE FORECAST TO COMBINE OVER THE DISTRICT AS THE MOVE EAST AT 10 MPH. THESE STORMS ARE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH.
* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE… THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA… BETHESDA… AMERICAN UNIVERSITY… CHEVY CHASE… GEORGETOWN… TAKOMA PARK… LANGLEY PARK… WHITE OAK… HILLANDALE…
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM. IF YOU ARE IN ITS PATH…MOVE INDOORS TO A STURDY BUILDING AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. WHEN IT IS SAFE TO DO SO…REPORT SEVERE WEATHER TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OR TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
THIS STORM IS PRODUCING FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING. IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER…YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. MOVE INDOORS IMMEDIATELY.
Update at 4:35 p.m. — Reagan National Airport is currently under a ground stop due to storms.