Significant July Severe Weather

Tornado Statistics for July   Source: NOAA

There have been several days with severe weather in the Mid-Atlantic Region so far this month.  Following the third driest June on record in the Nation’s Capital, the new rainfall brought by these thunderstorms has been beneficial.  However, the severe weather has been destructive, too.  Here are some significant severe weather events in the DC Metro Area. 

July 22-24, 2017

Several rounds of thunderstorms brought severe weather and flash flooding to parts of the DC Metro Area.  The most significant occurred in Queen Anne’s County in Maryland on Sunday night.  An EF-2 tornado was on the ground from 1:29 am to 1:33 am, with peak winds of 125 mph.  The tornado caused appreciable damage to the towns of Bay City and Stephenville, Maryland.  Fortunately, no fatalities occurred.  At National Airport, a total of 2.37” of rain occurred in this span, which is more rain than occurred in the entire month of June (1.13”).

July 1, 2013

The month got off to a stormy start in the DC Metro Region with 0.6” of rain at National Airport on July 1.  Severe thunderstorms produced an EF-0 tornado near the town of Brandywine in Prince Georges County, Maryland.  It caused no fatalities and only minor damage.

July 25, 2010

A significant heat wave occurred during the later portion of the month that was capped off on July 25 with temperatures near 100° and an unstable atmosphere.  That’s when a squall line developed west of town and came through the Nation’s Capital with multiple severe wind gusts, resulting in a slew of downed trees and power lines.  Widespread power outages ensued that caused hardship to many during the heat wave.

July 27, 1994

An outbreak occurred on July 27, 1994, when a total of 21 tornadoes developed in Maryland, Virginia and Delaware.  According to data from NOAA, the states of Maryland and Virginia average three tornadoes during the month of July.

A thunderstorm becomes “severe” when it contains one or more of the following: wind gusts of at least 58 mph, hail 1” in diameter or greater, or a tornado.  While heavy rain and lightning don’t make a thunderstorm “severe” per se, all thunderstorms are potentially dangerous and should be taken seriously.