Tornado Watch, Tornado Warning Issued In Maryland

MARYLAND — Four counties on the Eastern Shore are under a tornado warning Thursday night. Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne's and Talbot counties are under the warning, which means a tornado is imminent.

The warning is effective until 11:45 p.m. on Oct. 31.

In the event of a tornado, the safest places are in the basement or lowest floor of a solid structure, away from windows.

People in the areas under the tornado warning should take cover and seek shelter immediately.

MEMA ALERT: Tornado Warning for Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne's and Talbot County in MD until 11:45pm. #mdwx
— Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MDMEMA) (@MDMEMA) November 1, 2019

A tornado watch remains in effect in other parts of Maryland until midnight.

EARLIER REPORT: Conditions are favorable for the development of a tornado in much of Maryland Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. It issued a tornado watch that applies to most of the state.

The tornado watch is effective from 2:55 p.m. until midnight Oct. 31, according to the National Weather Service.

Here are the jurisdictions under the watch:

• Alleghany County (removed from the watch)
• Anne Arundel County
• Baltimore City
• Baltimore County
• Calvert County
• Charles County
• Frederick County (removed from the watch)
• Garrett County (removed from the watch)
• Harford County
• Howard County (removed from the watch)
• Montgomery County (removed from the watch)
• Prince George's County
• St. Mary's County
• Washington County (removed from the watch)

A watch means that conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms that could lead to a tornado; should one occur, the weather service generally issues a warning that it is imminent.

In the event of a tornado, the safest places are in the basement or lowest floor of a solid structure, away from windows.

Weather officials expect a line of thunderstorms to move east across the region Thursday afternoon through evening.

Storms are expected to arrive in this time period:

• Until 6 p.m. for the Potomac Highlands
• 6 to 8 p.m. for I-81 to the Blue Ridge and Catoctin Mountains
• 8 to 10 p.m. in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area
• 9 p.m. to midnight for southern Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay

Forecasters say the storms should be quick, lasting an hour or less in most places.

Check your forecast by ZIP code for the exact timing of storms from the National Weather Service.

SEE ALSO: Hour-By-Hour Rain MD Forecast For Halloween Hazardous Weather