A severe storm is expected to move into the Washington, D.C., region Sunday night, bringing the potential for damaging wind gusts of up to 75 miles per hour and the risk of fast-moving thunderstorms, meteorologists said.
The storm could arrive quickly and intensify as they move through the Mid-Atlantic, with straight-line wind gusts and the chance of a few tornadoes.
The storm system is expected to develop along a cold front wind sweeping eastward across the region. Forecasters say the line of storms could race through the Washington metropolitan area at highway speeds, increasing the risk of sudden damaging wind gusts and downed trees or power lines.
TRUMP ENDORSEMENT TRACKER: HERE’S WHO THE PRESIDENT HAS PICKED IN GOP MIDTERM ELECTION PRIMARIES
Straight-line winds can cause widespread damage similar to weaker tornadoes, snapping trees, damaging roofs, and causing scattered power outages. Meteorologists say the greatest risk will likely come from intense bursts of wind embedded within a fast-moving squall line of thunderstorms.
In addition to strong winds, forecasters said the system could produce isolated tornadoes and heavy rainfall as it crosses the Mid-Atlantic. Storms capable of producing updrafts, known as supercells, sometimes develop within larger storm complexes and can spawn tornadoes with little warning.
The potential for severe weather comes amid an active stretch of storm activity across the United States this month. Earlier in March, a major severe weather outbreak spawned dozens of tornadoes across parts of the Midwest and Southern Plains, causing damage across several states.
The Washington region is no stranger to damaging wind events during spring storms, which often form when warm, humid air collides with colder air masses moving east from the central U.S. Those clashes can produce powerful thunderstorms capable of generating hurricane-force gusts and brief tornadoes.
KEITH NAUGHTON: IT’S ALREADY A TWO-PERSON RACE FOR THE 2028 DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION
Forecasters urged residents across Washington, D.C., northern Virginia, and parts of Maryland to monitor weather alerts Sunday evening and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions as the storms approach.
Officials also warned that strong wind gusts could create hazardous travel conditions and bring potential for localized power outages if the strongest storms move directly over the metropolitan area.
