7:10 UPDATE: SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS CONTINUE FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY AND PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY IN MARYLAND...

Discussion: Most of the severe weather, particularly the tornado risk has diminished... EHI values have droped below 2 across the area after peaking at about 3.5 around the 4pm time. This means that most of tornadic activity (3 separate reports of funnel clouds, 1 reported touchdown) has ended.

However, as radar continues to indicate, there are stil a number of thunderstorms that have to cross the immediate metro area in the next several hours. With that said, I do expect the fireworks on the mall to go on as planned, but earlier shows across the area may be in difficulty.

If you are south of the city, I think you are completely done with the thunderstorm risk, but north of the city, periodic thunderstorms will continue for the next several hours.


5:00 UPDATE: TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHERN LOUDOUN, NORTHERN FAQUIER, AND NORTHERN PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY.

A number of spoters reported a funnel cloud with the storm moving through northern Montgomery County. Also, one spotter recorded 1.5 inch size hail! So yes, take these warnings serously!

For those of you planning of going down to the Mall tonight, please stay put until at least 7pm when this line hopefully has moved through the district.

4:30 UPDATE: TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHERN MONTGOMERY COUNTY... People planning on attending firework displays in the evening (7-10pm) should really think twice before going. Hopefully, we can get these dangerous storms out of the area before 9pm.

4:00 UPDATE: SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS REMAIN IN EFFECT FOR NORTHERN MONTGOMERY, SOUTHERN FREDERICK, NORTHERN FAQUIER, AND CLARK COUNTIES. People in the immediate DC metro area should expect in increase in thunderstorm coverage by 6 PM.

As I had anticipated yesterday, the NWS has issued a tornado watch for the entire DC area until 10:00 tonight.

People should be very careful before planning to go to any 4th of July celebrations around the area, and should listen to any additional warnings as they are issued...