Severe Weather Can Strike in May

NOAA's Severe Weather Outlook for Today

May is one of the most active severe weather months of the year.  “Severe weather” is defined as a thunderstorm that produces any of the following: A) Wind gusts of at least 58 mph; B) hail 1” in diameter or greater; or C) a tornado.  The most dangerous thunderstorms (supercells) can have more than one type of severe weather as large hail often precedes tornadoes.  Locally, the DC Metro Area has had a number of memorable severe weather events in May.   

2019:  Three tornadoes touched down in central Maryland on May 30, producing two EF-0’s and an EF-1 in Frederick and Howard Counties.  Wind damage was more widespread across the DC Area with a wind gust as high as 66 mph reported at Davison Army Airfield in Fairfax County, Virginia. 

Just a week earlier more severe weather impacted the DC Metro Area.  An EF-1 tornado was confirmed in Columbia, Maryland that caused some structural damage.  There were many severe wind gusts from the thunderstorms that developed.  Wind gusted as high as 66 mph at National Airport, 63 mph at Andrews AFB in Maryland, and 67 mph in Gaithersburg, Maryland.  Damage ranging from downed trees and power lines to minor structural damage of homes and businesses was reported.

2016:  Although relatively uncommon compared to other parts of the country, large hail does occur sometimes in the Mid-Atlantic region.  Such was the case on May 2 with several unusually large hail reports.   Rockville, Maryland had hail 2.5” – 2.75” in diameter, ranging in size from tennis ball to baseball.  Baseball-sized hail was also reported in Charles County, Maryland, while golf ball-size hail occurred in Huntingtown, MD.  There were other reports of severe hail in the DC Metro Area that were smaller.

2008: Several tornadoes developed in north central Virginia on May 8.  A weak tornado also developed in Camp Springs, Maryland.  The strongest tornado in the DC Metro Area during this outbreak was an EF-2 in Stafford County, Virginia with peak winds of 120 mph.  A slew of severe wind and hail reports were noted as well in Maryland and Virginia. 

2002:  An F1 tornado was confirmed in Rockville, Maryland on May 13.  It was part of a larger outbreak that saw a number of severe wind and hail reports.  An F2 tornado occurred on May 2 north of Baltimore in Cecil County, Maryland with winds of 150 mph.  A weaker tornado was also reported in Rockville, Maryland.  There were also multiple reports of severe wind gusts and hail.

NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center placed part of the Mid-Atlantic region under a slight risk of severe weather today as a cold front approaches the East Coast.  My colleagues and I on the WUSA9 Weather Team will keep an eye on any weather watches and warnings that may be issued.