(Updated at noon) The remnants of Tropical Storm Fred may cause more than just heavy rain today.
Arlington and most of the D.C. area is now under a Tornado Watch. The watch is in effect until 8 p.m.
The area is also under a Flash Flood Watch through 10 p.m. tonight.
Forecasters say conditions are favorable for the formation of tornadoes, though any such storms should be isolated. Severe thunderstorms are also possible.
A Tornado Watch has been issued for our whole area. Rotating supercells from remnants of Fred may lead to Tornadoes this afternoon. Tornadoes will be brief, but may cause some damage. Stay Safe Out There! pic.twitter.com/iKZzzP6yZ7
— Washingtonian Weather Geeks (@WashingtonianWx) August 18, 2021
Arlington is no stranger to tornados, though twisters are a relatively uncommon occurrence.
Last month an EF-1 tornado caused damage across several neighborhoods near Lee Highway. In April 2017, an EF-0 tornado chopped trees in half at Army Navy Country Club and caused some damage at the Macy’s in Pentagon City. Before that, a long-lived EF-1 twister struck Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax County and D.C. in 2001.
More from the National Weather Service:
A FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH 10 PM FOR AREAS ALONG THE INTERSTATE 95 CORRIDOR. ISOLATED INSTANCES OF FLASH FLOODING ARE POSSIBLE AS TROPICAL MOISTURE OVERSPREADS THE REGION.
A TORNADO WATCH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM. ISOLATED TORNADOES AND DAMAGING THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS ARE THE THREATS.
As Tropical Depression Fred passes off to the west, there will be a threat for isolated tornadoes, damaging winds, as well as flash flooding. The risk for severe thunderstorms may come as early as the mid-morning. Otherwise, conditions should improve by late this evening. pic.twitter.com/wAnqAVAqdi
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) August 18, 2021
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