Update: Severe T-storm Watch until midnight Sunday night for much of Virginia

Update: As expected, the Severe Thunderstorm Watch in Virginia has been extended eastward into Fredericksburg and Richmond.

Be on the lookout for a line of thunderstorms with 60 mph gusts late Sunday evening. Scattered tree damage and power outages are expected.

Previous story below.

***

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch continues until 11 p.m. Sunday evening for most of Virginia.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are increasingly favorable for damaging thunderstorms during Sunday evening. Wind damage is the biggest threat with storms on Sunday evening.

Specifically, a severe thunderstorm produces winds in excess of 58 miles per hour and/or hail at least the size of quarters (one inch in diameter). Typically, tree damage and power outages occur in severe thunderstorms.

If a Severe Thunderstorm Warning is issued, stay inside and away from windows until the Warning expires. Most Severe Thunderstorm Warnings last 30-45 minutes.

Especially dangerous or damaging severe thunderstorms may come with additional specific wording in their Warning:

Considerable: Winds 70+ mph and/or golf-ball size hailDestructive: Winds 80+ mph and/or baseball-size hail

If a Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) is activated on your phone (white screen, black text), it indicates the Destructive criteria.

Although the Watch does not include Richmond or Fredericksburg, an additional Watch may come later Sunday night. Additionally, storms can and do develop outside of the immediate area of the Watch.

The storms moving toward central Virginia Sunday evening have produced hail and wind damage in the state’s southwestern mountains. The storm threat will likely end for the Roanoke Valley by 9 p.m.

On occasion, a tornado can form within a severe thunderstorm, and if that happens, a Tornado Warning will be issued. In that case, a basement is the best shelter option. However, if one is not available, go to an interior room on the lowest floor of whatever building you are in. Put as many walls between you and outside as possible and stay away from windows.

Source: www.dailyprogress.com