High Winds and Possible Tornados Monday March 16th Afternoon-Evening

[Anonymous]

1. School day should not be affected in DC metro areas.

2. However, after school activities and commute might be. Watch out for downed trees and power lines. If you see a tornado, move to the interior of a building as far away from windows as possible. Keep your phone on your person to receive alerts.

3. Keep monitoring forecasts tomorrow.

4. Numbers:
15% Tornado Risk: Indicates that there is a 15% or greater chance of a tornado occurring within 25 miles of any point in the forecasted area
60% Wind Risk: Indicates a high probability (60%) of severe wind gusts (58 mph or greater) within 25 miles of any point.
(these probabilities are unusually high for the region in this season - might be due to new prediction tools the NOAA Storm Prediction Center is using)

[Anonymous]

I see lots of people on facebook wondering if the schools will do early dismissals or alternatively hold kids and delay busses until the storms pass.

[Anonymous]

The Rapture is upon us.

[Anonymous]

I hate these wind storms. I grew up in the Midwest (Cleveland area so not the extremely flat lands further west where they get a ton of tornadoes and severe storms) and I remember a lot of thunderstorms growing up but we never had these crazy winds. When we had the wind storm in 2018 we didn’t get power for a day and a half. And we were on the lucky side with that, there were neighborhoods basically right around the corner for us that were out for 4 days. I moved here basically right after the derecho in 2012 so don’t know how we were affected by that, but we didn’t lose power during Hurricane Sandy later that year.

I also just bought 5 lbs of good ground beef because I found a clearance package at Giant and I will be mad if I lose power for a long time and have to toss it from my freezer.

[Anonymous]

DC has a couple of appointments in Rockville tomorrow afternoon. Wonder if we should cancel.

[Anonymous]

In Arlington neighborhood we didn't have power for 3 days after derecho. Had to drive looking for ice. No cell signal either.

[Anonymous]

Ugh, the afternoon commute is going to be horrible tomorrow!

[Anonymous]

Goddamn.

Please don't happen.

If we talk about it... maybe we'l jinx it.

I'm so tired of this year.

[Anonymous]

What do the app weather forecasts say only "drizzle"?

[Anonymous]

OP here.

Secure objects in your yard. Winds may gust to 70-80mph.

Charge your electronic devices in case you lose power.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I see lots of people on facebook wondering if the schools will do early dismissals or alternatively hold kids and delay busses until the storms pass.

MCPS sent out a warning they are considering early dismissal and activities cancellations. Based on current forecast, schools should keep their dismissal time but cancel after-school stuff. However, I'm not the one responsible for the well-being of thousands of kids... I understand admin might be spooked.

[Anonymous]

I think work in downtown DC is more likely to keep power. I’m torn between leaving early so home before the storm or working through it so I’ll have credit hours. If I’m really unlucky and my house is damaged, I’d use the credit hours while dealing with the damage. I can work until 7 pm, do we think it will be mostly over by then?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think work in downtown DC is more likely to keep power. I’m torn between leaving early so home before the storm or working through it so I’ll have credit hours. If I’m really unlucky and my house is damaged, I’d use the credit hours while dealing with the damage. I can work until 7 pm, do we think it will be mostly over by then?

We will only know as it happens. Window of risk is supposed to be until 9pm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate these wind storms. I grew up in the Midwest (Cleveland area so not the extremely flat lands further west where they get a ton of tornadoes and severe storms) and I remember a lot of thunderstorms growing up but we never had these crazy winds. When we had the wind storm in 2018 we didn’t get power for a day and a half. And we were on the lucky side with that, there were neighborhoods basically right around the corner for us that were out for 4 days. I moved here basically right after the derecho in 2012 so don’t know how we were affected by that, but we didn’t lose power during Hurricane Sandy later that year.

I also just bought 5 lbs of good ground beef because I found a clearance package at Giant and I will be mad if I lose power for a long time and have to toss it from my freezer.

Agree the wind is awful, between risk of power outages and also fallen trees… have a huge (although supposedly healthy per an arborist who took a look last year) pine tree in my backyard that would probably total our house if it fell over.

lol @ the clearance ground beef from Giant being your main concern for a long power outage though. It’s going to get pretty damn cold again after tomorrow so I’m more concerned about being without heat if it can’t be restored quickly.

[Anonymous]

Multiple metro DC public schools already announced they are closing 2-3 hours early on Monday 3/16.

I'd suggest checking at WTOP.com for your school.