2:20 UPDATE: SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR CULPEPER AND FAQUIER COUNTIES IN VIRGINIA. A couple of showers/storms will pass the immediate metro area in the next hour or so with most of the severe storms staying south.

The national Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the entire DC metro area until 10:00 PM tonight.

At first, the watch was a bit of a surprise to me due to the lack of daytime heating this morning and early afternooon, but a strong mid and low-level sheer has enabled a number of strong storms to develop across the area. Expect a couple of strong storms capable of damaging winds or small hail across the area.

An additional note about the watch is that it stays in effect until 10pm. The reason for this is simple--- the front is still in the Ohio Vallay! As the front continues to approach us, a number of lines that are currently developing over PA and WV may cross the area even as late as midnight. Remember yesterday, severe storms lasted until 4 AM across the Chicago-Cleveland area.