A twister watch was issued for Washington, D.C. and a number of counties throughout Virginia and Maryland on March 16, 2026, as harsh thunderstorms threatened to influence components of the South. For the alerted counties, extreme climate threats had been forewarned to proceed via the night.
Get an replace on the twister watch and inclement climate threatening D.C. beneath.
What Is the Distinction Between a Twister Watch and a Twister Warning?
In response to the Nationwide Climate Service (NWS), a twister watch encourages all residents in a single space to arrange for a attainable twister. The NWS’ description of the alert reads, “Tornadoes are attainable in and close to the watch space. Assessment and talk about your emergency plans, take stock of your provides and test your secure room. Be able to act rapidly if a warning is issued otherwise you suspect a twister is approaching. Performing early helps to avoid wasting lives! Watches are issued by the Storm Prediction Heart for counties the place tornadoes might happen. The watch space is often massive, masking quite a few counties and even states.”
A twister warning, in line with the NWS, is when a twister “has been sighted or indicated by climate radar.”
“There may be imminent hazard to life and property,” the positioning’s alert reads. “Transfer to an inside room on the bottom ground of a sturdy constructing. Keep away from home windows. If in a cell house, a automobile, or outdoor, transfer to the closest substantial shelter and defend your self from flying particles. Warnings are issued by your native forecast workplace. Warnings usually embody a a lot smaller space (across the measurement of a metropolis or small county) which may be impacted by a twister recognized by a forecaster on radar or by a skilled spotter/regulation enforcement who’s watching the storm.”
Twister Watch & Storm Replace in Washington D.C.
Washington, D.C. leaders urged residents to remain indoors when the cruel climate hits this afternoon. Attainable tornadoes, heavy rain and wind gusts as much as 80 miles per hour had been issued for town.
Twister Watch & Storm Replace in Virginia
The next counties in Virginia had been issued extreme thunderstorm alerts that afternoon:
- Southwestern Fairfax County
- East central Fauquier County
- Manassas
- Manassas Park
- Central Prince William County
- Twister Watch & Storm Replace in Maryland
In response to NBC 4 Washingtonthe next counties had been issued with extreme thunderstorm alerts on the afternoon of March 16:
- Anne Arundel County
- Northwestern Calvert County
- Japanese Prince George’s County
- Northeastern Charles County
- Southeastern Baltimore