Matthew Cappucci@MatthewCappucci
SERIOUS SEVERE WEATHER: The Storm Prediction Center has UPGRADED to a rare Level 4 out of 5 severe weather risk for Monday in the Mid-Atlantic. This includes Washington D.C., Richmond, Raleigh, Charlotte and part of South Carolina!
In the red zone, there is an increasing concern for a couple supercells that could produce an isolated EF2+ tornado, and given fast storm motions, we can't rule out a longer-track tornado as well.
This risk tier happens 3 times per decade on average in our area; the last times in D.C. were August 7, 2023 and April 19, 2019. These risk tiers are reserved for only the most substantial, higher-impact severe weather events that are somewhat reminiscent of what I chase out west.
Dangerous storms, some of which may produce 60-75 mph wind gusts, are likely. A few rotating supercells with tornado potential could crop up, and we'll also likely see a few brief spin-up tornadoes within the main squall line that should come through during the evening hours.
School districts – use Sunday to plan. Multiple rounds of potentially dangerous storms, including with some tornado risk, are likely in some spots.
