Tornado Watch Issued, Severe Storms Approach: Montgomery County

BETHESDA, MD — Montgomery County is under a tornado watch until 9 p.m. on Friday, April 26, according to the National Weather Service.

A watch means that severe weather is possible because conditions are favorable for producing a tornado, and people should take steps to prepare. In this case, that entails knowing where to take shelter.

Capital Weather Gang reported that forecasters also issued a tornado warning for parts of Montgomery County until 3:15 p.m. That warning was canceled.

Tornado WARNING for areas in the red polygon until 315p. Rotation near Great Fallls moving northeast. Includes Rockville near center of warning. pic.twitter.com/xHxHcumPGV
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) April 26, 2019

Here's a picture of the storm posted on Twitter:

Looking towards Great Falls from #Rockville @capitalweather pic.twitter.com/L2EIEJ54KK
— Richtone (@22frets) April 26, 2019

Got pictures or videos of today's storm? Send them over to alessia.grunberger@patch.com. Be sure to say who captured it, so we can credit the right person.

Montgomery County was also under a severe thunderstorm warning from 2:20 to 3 p.m. on Friday. Wind gusts up to 60 mph could cause trees and branches to fall, leading to blocked roads and localized power outages.

Hazardous Weather Outlook

The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for much of the state Friday, as potentially severe storms approach Maryland. Damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph and quarter-sized hail may accompany strong thunderstorms, along with an isolated tornado, according to forecasters.

Here is when the storms should arrive on Friday, according to the National Weather Service:

• Metro areas — 2 to 4 p.m.
• Southern Maryland, bay areas — 4 to 6 p.m.

Temperatures are expected to drop from the low 70s to the low 60s from Friday into Saturday.