(Updated at 2:50 p.m.) A strong thunderstorm may be heading in our direction over the next 45 minutes. The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning, urging residents to stay alert and seek shelter if necessary.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A
* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR… SOUTHERN MONTGOMERY COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND… CITY OF FAIRFAX IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… CITY OF FALLS CHURCH IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… NORTHWESTERN ARLINGTON COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… EASTERN PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… CENTRAL FAIRFAX COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA…
* UNTIL 330 PM EDT
* AT 242 PM EDT… NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR LAKE RIDGE… OR 6 MILES NORTH OF DALE CITY… AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 30 MPH.
* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE… BURKE… MERRIFIELD… MANTUA… FAIRFAX… ANNANDALE… MERRIFIELD… THE I66 AND I495 INTERCHANGE… VIENNA… FALLS CHURCH… PIMMIT HILLS…
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A TORNADO WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR THE WARNED AREA.
THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM. IF YOU ARE IN ITS PATH… MOVE INDOORS TO A STURDY BUILDING AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. WHEN IT IS SAFE TO DO SO… REPORT SEVERE WEATHER TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OR TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
An earlier Special Weather Statement warned of the possibility of rapidly deteriorating weather conditions.
STORM INTENSITY IS INCREASING… AND SEVERE WEATHER MAY DEVELOP RAPIDLY. REMAIN ALERT… AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION IF WARNINGS ARE ISSUED.
WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 50 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM. WINDS THIS STRONG CAN BRING DOWN LARGE TREE BRANCHES. TAKE SHELTER UNTIL THE STORM HAS PASSED