UPDATED: Severe Thunderstorm, Flash Flood Watches Issued

(Updated at 3 p.m.) Arlington County is under Severe Thunderstorm and Flash Flood watches.

The Severe Thunderstorm watch is set to expire at midnight. The Flash Flood Watch is expected to run until tomorrow morning.

Forecasters say strong storms could hit the D.C. area this afternoon and evening.

From the National Weather Service:

DAMAGING THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. RESIDENTS ALL ACROSS THE BALTIMORE AND WASHINGTON DC METRO AREAS…NORTH AND CENTRAL VIRGINIA…MUCH OF MARYLAND AND THE EASTERN WEST VIRGINIA PANHANDLE SHOULD MONITOR THIS SITUATION VERY CLOSELY AND ENSURE YOUR NOAA WEATHER RADIOS ARE SET TO ALERT MODE. SEVERE WEATHER WARNINGS MAY BECOME NECESSARY. HERE ARE SOME SAFETY RULES TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN SEVERE WEATHER IS EXPECTED OR IS OCCURRING.

IF A WARNING IS ISSUED…SEEK SHELTER INDOORS IMMEDIATELY. A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM IS DEFINED AS PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE OR GREATER HAIL AND WIND GUSTS OF 58 MPH OR MORE.