severe wx watch and tornado warnings..

[WXBUFFJIM]

A dangerous afternoon and evening is likely in store for the Middle Atlantic Region. A tornado warning was in effect for the city of Franklin in southeast Virginia, city of Suffolk, Isle of Wight, and Southampton COunty in southeast Virginia in effect until 3 PM. This was a doppler indicated tornado near Story moving east at 30 mph. Now we have a tornado warning for the cities of Suffolk and Chesapeake, Virginia for a doppler indicated tornado.

Meanwhile a severe thunderstorm watch encompasses much of Maryland, northern Virginia, south central Pennsylvania, and into parts of south central new Jersey in effect until 9 PM. Cities included in this watch are Washington DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Harrisburg.

Hail 1.5 inches in diameter, thunderstorm wind gusts to 70 mph, and dangerous lightning are possible in these areas. Severe thunderstorms can and sometimes do produce tornadoes. In addition, with the slow movement of these storms combined with high levels of low level moisture, very heavy torreential rains with flooding are likely. 2-3 inch per hour rates are expected with these storms today.

Remember a severe thunderstorm watch means severe thunderstorms are possible in and near the watch area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings.

Jim