2026 Mid-Atlantic Severe Storm General Discussion

[yoda]

https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/watch/ww0278.html

 

 

   URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
   Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 278
   NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
   140 PM EDT Sat Jun 6 2026

   The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

   * Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of 
     The Maryland Panhandle
     Central Pennsylvania
     Extreme northern Virginia
     The eastern West Virginia Panhandle

   * Effective this Saturday afternoon and evening from 140 PM until
     800 PM EDT.

   * Primary threats include...
     Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely
     Isolated large hail events to 1.5 inches in diameter possible

   SUMMARY...Storms are forming in western Pennsylvania, and a separate
   storm cluster in Ohio has a history of wind damage.  Either or both
   areas of storms will spread into central Pennsylvania through the
   afternoon, and potentially as far south as the West
   Virginia/Maryland Panhandles.  Damaging gusts will be the main
   threat, though the strongest storms could also produce isolated
   large hail (1-1.5 inches in diameter).

   The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 85
   statute miles north and south of a line from 35 miles south
   southwest of Dubois PA to 40 miles northeast of Harrisburg PA. For a
   complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline
   update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU8).

   PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

   REMEMBER...A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
   favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
   Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
   weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
   warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
   tornadoes.

   &&

[Eskimo Joe]

Interesting line about to enter the western panhandle of Maryland.

[Eskimo Joe]

Yikes

 

[Eskimo Joe]

Double yikes

 

 

[frd]

40 minutes ago, Eskimo Joe said:

Interesting line about to enter the western panhandle of Maryland.

Rather strong complex

 

 

[high risk]

46 minutes ago, Eskimo Joe said:

Interesting line about to enter the western panhandle of Maryland.

  Guidance is emphatic that the line will fall apart as it moves across northern MD, but I'm not sure that I can justify why that would happen.

[Chinook]

storm system coming east from Pittsburgh has 70 kt winds seen on base velocity

 

[frd]

20 minutes ago, high risk said:

  Guidance is emphatic that the line will fall apart as it moves across northern MD, but I'm not sure that I can justify why that would happen.

That would be a bummer. Dew point creeping up here to 60. Have not looked at the severe paramenters though for later.    

[high risk]

28 minutes ago, frd said:

That would be a bummer. Dew point creeping up here to 60. Have not looked at the severe paramenters though for later.    

Nothing in the current or forecast parameters looks particular unfavorable, unless I’m missing something.  I think that SPC agrees, given the inclusion of northern MD in the ENH area.  

[mappy]

Watch just issued for my backyard 

[SnowenOutThere]

Just now, high risk said:

Nothing in the current or forecast parameters looks particular unfavorable, unless I’m missing something.  I think that SPC agrees, given the inclusion of northern MD in the ENH area.  

SPC mesoanalysis shows 500+ (and increasing) CAPE, okay enough ML lapse rates, better LL lapse rates, and 30kt effective shear 0-6km all in the NOVA area. With a forward motion towards the metro of 35ish MPH and it being 100 miles away it should approach us by sundown. I think we could at least get a decent line of showers and storms with much needed rainfall. Maybe Harper's ferry and MD will get some nasty severe weather too. 

[SnowenOutThere]

Also PDS severe T-storm warning just north of Cumberland across the PA line. 

[SnowenOutThere]

2 minutes ago, mappy said:

Watch just issued for my backyard 

Funny how much it looks like a winter storm advisory with how its all displaced northwest. 

[mappy]

2 minutes ago, SnowenOutThere said:

Funny how much it looks like a winter storm advisory with how its all displaced northwest. 

I honestly had no idea there were storm chances today haha 

[yoda]

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
405 PM EDT Sat Jun 6 2026

The National Weather Service in Sterling Virginia has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Northwestern Washington County in north central Maryland...
  Allegany County in western Maryland...
  Garrett County in western Maryland...
  Northern Frederick County in northwestern Virginia...
  Northwestern Morgan County in the Panhandle of West Virginia...
  Mineral County in eastern West Virginia...
  Northern Hampshire County in eastern West Virginia...

* Until 500 PM EDT.

* At 404 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
  extending from near Lake Gordon to near Ridgeley to near Keyser,
  moving east at 60 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Damaging winds will cause some trees and large branches
           to fall. This could injure those outdoors, as well as
           damage homes and vehicles. Roadways may become blocked by
           downed trees. Localized power outages are possible.
           Unsecured light objects may become projectiles.

* Locations impacted include...
  Cumberland, Frostburg, Keyser, Mountain Lake Park, Oakland,
  Westernport, Romney, Hancock, Bel Air, Paw Paw, Bittinger, La Vale,
  Fort Ashby, Lonaconing, Piedmont, Grantsville, Berkeley Springs,
  Loch Lynn Heights, Deer Park, and Accident.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

&&

LAT...LON 3972 7810 3939 7842 3925 7862 3929 7909
      3931 7914 3933 7927 3931 7928 3933 7949
      3953 7948 3962 7945 3972 7916
TIME...MOT...LOC 2004Z 289DEG 52KT 3979 7862 3961 7878 3948 7899

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

[yoda]

14 minutes ago, SnowenOutThere said:

Also PDS severe T-storm warning just north of Cumberland across the PA line. 

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service State College PA
357 PM EDT Sat Jun 6 2026

The National Weather Service in State College PA has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Bedford County in south central Pennsylvania...
  Fulton County in south central Pennsylvania...
  Southern Huntingdon County in central Pennsylvania...

* Until 500 PM EDT.

* At 356 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
  extending from Ogletown to near Cessna to near Bedford to Buffalo
  Mills to near Lake Gordon to near La Vale, moving east at 65 mph.

  THESE IS A LINE OF DESTRUCTIVE STORMS!

  HAZARD...80 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
           shelter. Mobile homes will be heavily damaged. Expect
           considerable damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles.
           Extensive tree damage and power outages are likely.

* Locations impacted include...
  Bedford, Breezewood, Warfordsburg, Clearville, New Enterprise,
  Everett, McConnellsburg, Osterburg, Harrisonville, Big Cove
  Tannery, Crystal Springs, and Waterfall.

Radar has indicated rotation within these severe thunderstorms.
Although a tornado is not immediately likely, tornadoes can develop
quickly during severe thunderstorms.

This includes the following Interstates...
 Interstate 70 from mile markers 147 to 170.
 The Pennsylvania Turnpike from mile markers 140 to 185.
 Interstate 99 from mile markers 0 to 14.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

SEEK SHELTER NOW inside an interior room or closet on the lowest
floor of a well built structure.

Prepare immediately for tornado like wind speeds capable of producing
significant damage.

Very heavy rainfall is occurring with these severe thunderstorms, and
may lead to flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3973 7868 4005 7859 4023 7863 4027 7834
      4025 7830 4027 7827 4026 7791 4024 7776
      4001 7792 3982 7801 3972 7810
TIME...MOT...LOC 1956Z 270DEG 55KT 4022 7871 4012 7862 4004 7860 3994
7860 3984 7866 3973 7882

TORNADO...POSSIBLE
THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...DESTRUCTIVE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...80 MPH

[yoda]

278
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
402 PM EDT SAT JUN 6 2026

MDC005-015-025-027-031-510-VAC043-107-171-187-WVC023-031-070000-
/O.EXA.KLWX.SV.A.0278.000000T0000Z-260607T0000Z/

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS EXTENDED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM
WATCH 278 TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING AREAS UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING

IN MARYLAND THIS WATCH INCLUDES 6 COUNTIES

IN CENTRAL MARYLAND

HOWARD                       MONTGOMERY

IN NORTHEAST MARYLAND

CECIL

IN NORTHERN MARYLAND

BALTIMORE
BALTIMORE CITY
HARFORD

IN VIRGINIA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 4 COUNTIES

IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA

LOUDOUN

IN NORTHWEST VIRGINIA

CLARKE                       SHENANDOAH
WARREN

IN WEST VIRGINIA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 2 COUNTIES

IN EASTERN WEST VIRGINIA

GRANT                       HARDY