Forecasters are warning that a potentially significant severe weather event could impact the parts of Maryland and Virginia (including all of Montgomery County) Monday afternoon, raising questions about whether some school systems may adjust schedules or cancel after-school activities.
The National Weather Service (NWS) Storm Prediction Center has placed much of the region under a Moderate Risk (level 4 of 5) for severe thunderstorms on Monday, March 16, with the potential for damaging winds, tornadoes, lightning, and heavy rain.
NBC4 meteorologist Doug Kammerer said the risk level is unusual for the area. “Weather Alert!! The Storm Prediction Center now has our area under a Moderate risk for severe storms and Tornadoes! This is level 4 of 5! This is rare and has only happened a few times in the last 15-20 years. This means we will have a good chance to see Tornadoes in our area tomorrow afternoon and we will most likely be put under a Tornado watch by about 1pm tomorrow. The storms will move though between 2-6pm and into the metro between 3-5!”…