Strong Thunderstorm Predicted for East Central Prince George's

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — The National Weather Service is tracking a strong thunderstorm moving across Maryland. At last report, around 1 p.m. Thursday, the storm was centered over Deale, and is now moving at up to 70 miles an hour.

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for the entire county, but the NWS says the worst of it will be focused on Southern Anne Arundel, northwestern Calvert and east central Prince George's counties.

The NWS says the storm is causing wind gusts of up to 40 to 50 miles per hour, and there have been reports of large hail chunks up to half an inch in size. Forecasters say the storm could become even stronger, so they're asking everyone to stay alert and informed for more updates.

Currently they're predicting the storm will will have the biggest impact on Shady Side, Chesapeake Beach, Deale, Upper Marlboro, Rosaryville, Marlton, Dunkirk, Owings, Baden, Galesville, Friendship, Tracy's Landing, Lothian and West River.

Meanwhile, a wind advisory is also in effect for all of Prince George's County until 5 p.m. The NWS says residents across the region should be prepared for west winds of between 20 to 30 miles per hour, with gusts up to 50 miles per hour. They're warning that the storm could blow around debris and tree branches, possibly causing power outages. The weather service asks that everyone is extra cautious driving in the wind, and that residents secure anything they may have left outside their homes, or risk it blowing away.