Update (3:35 p.m.):
NWS Issues Tornado Watch Halloween Until Midnight
The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch on Halloween, Thursday, Oct. 31, until midnight.
🌪️A Tornado WATCH has been issued for Montgomery County beginning at 2:56 PM, Thursday 10/31/19. Be alert for rapidly changing weather conditions and be prepared to take shelter if a warning is issued. More info: https://t.co/trpYofVqpE pic.twitter.com/gV7qK31nbw
— Montgomery Co OEMHS (@ReadyMontgomery) October 31, 2019
Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security urges people to take shelter if the alert changes to a tornado warning. The office also suggests trick-or-treaters should start early tonight before the weather becomes severe.
One piece of advice is to have 1 person in your Trick or Treating group keep an eye on their phone for weather warnings and the latest radar. We'll be relaying warnings for the DC metro via this Twitter feed. Think of this person as the "designated weather watcher." 2/2
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) October 31, 2019
The Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang estimates that the storm will begin in Montgomery County between 8 to 9:30 p.m.; they suggest trick-or-treaters in the Rockville area go inside by 8 p.m. In a Twitter thread, the Capital Weather Gang offered more details about the tornado watch:
Be sure to have a reliable way to get weather warnings as they are issued, and a plan to take shelter before these storms arrive. There may not be much lightning with these storms, so don't depend on your eyes to notice them in the dark. 2/
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) October 31, 2019
Temperatures will rapidly fall as the line of storms passes through, and this contrast in air masses is partly what is fueling the storms. Expect a temperature drop of 25 degrees or so in just 3 hours' time. 4/ pic.twitter.com/6ha0n8Tkk5
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) October 31, 2019
We anticipate a Tornado Watch being issued a little later this afternoon. This will be a high-impact event coinciding with Halloween, so stay weather aware.
Forecast details can be found at: https://t.co/jX1xBrJ8M1 6/6
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) October 31, 2019
Upon news of the tornado watch, Gov. Larry Hogan tweeted, “As you and your family make trick-or-treating plans, please use common sense, follow your local forecast, and be safe.”
A tornado watch is now in effect across Central MD through midnight, and much of our region will experience severe weather this evening. As you and your family make trick-or-treating plans, please use common sense, follow your local forecast, and be safe. https://t.co/7YvPvcYxKX
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) October 31, 2019
Original Post
Halloween Weather Forecast May Bring Dangerous Storms
Some scary weather may be heading our way for Halloween.
According to the National Weather Service, there’s a possibility of dangerous weather in the area on Thursday. Those who plan on trick-or-treating during the evening hours on Halloween should be on alert for damaging wind gusts, possible tornadoes, and heavy rain.
Unfortunately, our area may see heavy rainfall and thunderstorms this evening. I urge Marylanders to keep an eye on their local forecast so that trick-or-treating can be fun, not frightful! https://t.co/sUuvN6ahoZ
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) October 31, 2019
During the day expect it to be cloudy with likely showers. Highs around 73°F with a 70 percent chance of rain.
Thursday evening, expect it to be windy with rain showers. Lows around 44°F with a 100 percent chance of rain.
⛈Please stay weather aware tomorrow. There is potential for a dangerous line of storms to possibly threaten the evening hours when many may be trick-or-treating. 🎃
📲Sign-up for Alert Montgomery to get severe weather alerts sent to your phone: https://t.co/2Lf6i5FjdQ#MoCo https://t.co/dlZbv3dqDD
— Montgomery Co OEMHS (@ReadyMontgomery) October 30, 2019
SEE & BE SEEN on Halloween – Be sure to go over these safety tips from @mcfrs with your trick-or-treaters & all the ghosts & goblins TONITE, SEE: https://t.co/UGvYhZYdIE pic.twitter.com/XzstlE76eP
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) October 31, 2019
