Tornado Watch in Effect Friday for Maryland (Updated)

This post was updated at 3:47 p.m. Friday.

A tornado watch is in effect Friday for Howard and Carroll counties, as well as in many other counties in Maryland.

Also, state highway officials are warning that possible rain and winds could complicate Friday afternoon and evening commutes.

The tornado watch, according to the National Weather Service, was issued at 2:30 p.m. Friday and is in effect until 10 p.m.

It applies to these counties:

Howard, Carroll, Anne Arundel, Caroline, Charles, Prince George’s, Talbot, Baltimore, Frederick, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Washington, Calvert, Cecil, Harford, Montgomery and St. Mary’s. It also applies to Baltimore City.

The State Highway Administration also released a statement Friday afternoon warning motorists that there could be a combination of "flooding rains and high winds," possible hitting during the Friday afternoon commute. 

“Motorists should not attempt to drive through roadways that are flooded or try to maneuver around downed wires---turn around," said Melinda B. Peters, SHA Administrator in a release.

According to the SHA:

"Motorists are advised to heed the following tips for driving in severe weather: 

• “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.”  Flash floods can come rapidly and unexpectedly. They can occur within a few minutes or hours of excessive rainfall;
•  Avoid low-lying areas with a history of flooding; 
• Never maneuver around low hanging trees or wires or try to move branches or downed wires out of the travel lanes; and 
• Increase following distances between vehicles.  Remember to use low-beam headlights when windshield wipers are in operation."