DC Weather: Severe Storms & Tornado Watch Tuesday Evening

The DC region is under a tornado watch until 10 p.m. Tuesday evening as severe storms and showers sweep through. Multiple warnings have been issued, including flash flood and severe thunderstorm warnings for the District, and a thunderstorm warning for Fauquier County, Virginia. The National Weather Service has noted rotation in the atmosphere as the storms move through, prompting heightened alerts across the DMV.

Timing and Alerts

The severe thunderstorm and tornado watch remains in effect until 10 p.m. for the entire area. Earlier tornado warnings that covered Spotsylvania County, parts of Northern Virginia, and Anne Arundel County have expired. A separate thunderstorm warning is still active for Fauquier County. The storms have already caused disruptions: the Nationals game was delayed Tuesday evening, and ground stops were implemented at DC-area airports due to the severe weather.

Impacts on the Ground

In Montgomery County, trees have been reported down and hail has been observed as the storms moved through. The rotation detected by Storm Team4 indicates the potential for brief tornado spin-ups, though no confirmed touchdowns have been reported as of the latest updates. The combination of heavy rain and gusty winds is creating hazardous conditions for travel and outdoor activities.

Safety Tips

WUSA9 has shared several safety recommendations for residents. If you are caught outdoors during a storm, seek shelter immediately in a sturdy building. To assess whether a tree might fall, look for leaning trunks, cracked branches, or exposed roots — especially after heavy rain. For those in basement apartments, know how to shut off power and gas, and have a plan to move to higher ground if flooding begins. These steps can reduce risk during severe weather events.

For more on how to stay safe during severe weather, see our guide on tornado alerts and radar tracking.

Looking Ahead

While Tuesday evening remains active, the forecast points to sunshine returning in time for the weekend. Residents should stay tuned to local updates and heed any remaining warnings through the evening. The tornado watch is set to expire at 10 p.m., but isolated storms could linger afterward.

If you are experiencing connectivity issues during the storm, check our tips on staying connected during outages.