MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — A tornado watch has been issued for Berkeley, Jefferson, Morgan, Hampshire, Hardy and Pendleton Counties through Friday night.
The National Weather Service’s DC/Baltimore office announced the alert shortly before 1 Friday afternoon. It expires at midnight Saturday.
The agency previously had the area listed under a Flash Flood Watch.
A tornado watch has been issued for parts of DC, MD, VA, WV until 12 AM EDT pic.twitter.com/oUxltkCIA9
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) April 19, 2019
“Heavy rain moving in this afternoon through tonight,” said Accuweather Meterologist Bill Dager. “The heaviest stuff moves in from the afternoon into early tonight. 1 to 2 inches of rain, maybe some locally damaging wind gusts and a few thunderstorms as well.”
Showers and thunderstorms will increase in coverage across the area this afternoon, and again this evening. Damaging winds, tornadoes, and flooding rain will be possible. Stay weather aware this afternoon and evening! Latest: https://t.co/5RyZgpeTAT. pic.twitter.com/i6k6MOFJya
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) April 19, 2019
“It certainly looks like it will be a very soggy afternoon. So any outdoor plans today will be impacted if not ruined by the weather. Even into the day tomorrow (Saturday), we expect some showers to be around to start the day. But, it will improve a bit Saturday and Sunday especially each afternoon.”
This story will be updated
WEPM’s Melanie Miller contributed to this story.