Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued for Howard County

The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Howard County -- along with Anne Arundel County, Washington, DC, and parts of Northern Virginia -- until 10 p.m. Monday.

Cities in the watch area include: Columbia, Ellicott City, Annapolis, and Odenton.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.

A severe thunderstorm by definition is a thunderstorm that produces 1-inch hail or larger in diameter and/or winds equal or exceed 58 miles an hour. During the watch, people should review severe thunderstorm safety rules and be prepared to move a place of safety if threatening weather approaches.

Rain seems fairly likely over much of this week.

The National Weather Service forecast for the Columbia area predicts:

Monday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 9 pm. Low around 60. South wind around 6 mph becoming northeast in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half an inch possible.

Tuesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 9am, then showers likely. High near 65. North wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. East wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Wednesday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. East wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Wednesday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. East wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Thursday: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 9am. Cloudy, with a high near 61. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Thursday Night: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Friday: Showers likely, mainly before 9am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Friday Night: A chance of showers before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Chance of precipitation is 50%.