On Friday, residents across several areas of Maryland and Virginia were alerted to significant weather threats as the National Weather Service (NWS) issued tornado warnings. Communities including Laurel, Silver Spring, and Baltimore were specifically highlighted, with the greater Washington, D.C. area also placed under a broader tornado watch. These alerts came as intense thunderstorms swept through the Mid-Atlantic region.
The warnings were part of Tornado Watches 350 and 348, which remained in effect until midnight EDT. These watches encompassed a wide area including southeastern Howard County, eastern Montgomery County, Prince George's County, and northeastern King George County. Radar indications suggested potential tornadoes tracking northeastward at speeds of 10-20 mph.
Cities such as Laurel, Clinton, and King George faced immediate risks, with authorities urging residents to seek immediate shelter due to the potential for flying debris, extensive tree damage, and possible destruction to mobile homes. The NWS office in Sterling, Virginia, issued targeted warnings between 7:23 PM and 7:28 PM EDT. One severe thunderstorm was pinpointed near Laurel, moving towards Savage-Guilford and Columbia, while another was detected over Clinton, impacting Rosaryville and Marlton. A separate warning was issued for King George County, identifying a storm near Nanjemoy Creek and Dahlgren.
These storm cells were capable of producing tornadoes, along with other hazards such as damaging winds and hail up to 0.75 inches in diameter. Anticipated impacts included damage to roofs and windows. The broader Tornado Watch 350, issued by NWS offices in Mount Holly, NJ, and Wakefield, VA, covered an extensive 22 counties spanning Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. This included major urban centers like Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Richmond, as well as coastal waters from Delaware Bay to Chesapeake Bay.
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