Just got word - power line down on 66 Eastbound - not sure of exact location. Ill report that when I know. Also debris on 66 west at the 267 (Dulles Toll Rd) exit. Also a very large tree reported on the airport access on 267. Our bus has been diverted because of this tree. I am sitting on 66 heading west at about exit 71. We are crawling and eastbound traffic is moving, so the powerline must be back toward Fairfax or so...stand by.

Just got word - power line down on 66 Eastbound - not sure of exact location. Ill report that when I know. Also debris on 66 west at the 267 (Dulles Toll Rd) exit. Also a very large tree reported on the airport access on 267. Our bus has been diverted because of this tree. I am sitting on 66 heading west at about exit 71. We are crawling and eastbound traffic is moving, so the powerline must be back toward Fairfax or so...stand by.

One person dead in Annandale.

Sorry for the double post...exit 71 on 66 west is CLOSED. Don't know why - debris or no power at the light maybe...definitely blocked by police.

I can see exit 71 on Route 66 from the window of my office on Glebe Road. During the storm, I saw lightening strike what might have been a transformer near the Glebe Rd and Route 66 offramp intersection; there was a pop and flash, and next thing you knew, police and firetrucks were everywhere. Traffic was moving through that intersection at the time of the strike, and I wondered if a car had also been hit or an accident happened at the top of the ramp. Can't quite see that far, but I can still see police activity there.

MESOSCALE DISCUSSION 1205
NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
0304 PM CDT WED JUN 04 2008

THE SEVERE WEATHER THREAT FOR TORNADO WATCH 447...450...CONTINUES.

DAMAGING WIND THREAT MAY INCREASE ONCE AGAIN NEAR/JUST SOUTH OF
WASHINGTON D.C. BY AROUND 00Z OR SHORTLY THEREAFTER.

IN THE WAKE OF THE DAMAGING SEVERE MESOSCALE CONVECTIVE SYSTEM WHICH
HAS SWEPT ACROSS THE WASHINGTON D.C. AREA...AIR MASS RECOVERY IS
UNDERWAY TO THE LEE OF THE BLUE RIDGE. AREAS AS FAR NORTH AS
CHARLOTTESVILLE DO NOT APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTED BY
OUTFLOW...AS ANOTHER MESOSCALE CONVECTIVE SYSTEM CONTINUES TO
ORGANIZE ACROSS CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA. THIS IS OCCURRING IN
ASSOCIATION WITH THE LAST IMPULSE/MID-LEVEL VORTICITY CENTER
EMBEDDED WITHIN THE LOW AMPLITUDE TROUGH EMANATING FROM THE LOWER
OHIO VALLEY. AND...FORCING IS EXPECTED TO HELP MAINTAIN CONVECTIVE
SYSTEM ACROSS THE ALLEGHENY MOUNTAINS BY AROUND 22Z. RUC GUIDANCE
INDICATES THAT A NARROW BELT OF 50+ KT 500 MB FLOW WILL LINGER
ACROSS THIS REGION...INTO THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AREA...THROUGH EARLY
EVENING. AND...ANOTHER SWATH OF DAMAGING WINDS APPEARS POSSIBLE
ACROSS NORTH CENTRAL VIRGINIA DURING THE 23-01Z TIME FRAME. WHILE
HIGHEST PROBABILITIES FOR THIS MAY BE JUST SOUTH OF PRIOR TRACK...IT
STILL SEEMS POSSIBLE THAT MUCH OF THE WASHINGTON D.C. METRO AREA
COULD BE IMPACTED BY THIS SECOND SYSTEM.

If you see a razor-straight line of mist heading your way, run!

I don't know. It seems like that second line is weakening. Granted, it hasn't crossed the mountains yet, so it's still anybody's game...

Arlington: Home now (miraculously with power), but I was still at school (I'm a teacher) when the storm hit at 3 p.m. Besides being dark as night outside, the power kept flickering eerily (like in horror movies). Then the principal came by with the Tornado Warning (for which we have strict procedures). Most of the kids had left because of early release, but the extended day kids and the staff spent the next hour sitting against the wall in our center hallway. we passed out Cheese Nips and sang songs, and the third grade girls with whom I was sitting told stories of storms that they or their parents had been in.
We kept getting dribbles of news from random cell phone calls, like if and where the tornado had touched down. we got reports of a touchdown in the Arlington Forest neighborhood; any confirmation?
Anyway, it was an interesting experience. Severe weather takes on a new significance when you are responsible for the safety of children. Normally I'd be standing on doorstep, watching it go.

Made it out toward Dulles - the sun is peaking thru...I can see some impressive cumulonimbus clouds to the southwest of here. It feels like Kansas. Oh, someone moved the tree from the 267 access road - whomever you are, thanks...

Would it be suicide to take 28N if I don't have to?

All hell broke loose in a 2 minute time frame. It went from light out with a gentle breeze to a pitch black wind tunnel. WOW is all I can say. Lighting struck something really close by, now our cable is screwed up and all the channels are really fuzzy, and we can't pick up anything passed 27 (Ironically, that's the weather channel here).

At one point I thought the trees outback were gonna go, the wind was really whipping. When I saw a red tornado rotation signature on the Fox 5 radar just as the wind picked up greatly, I darted for the bathroom. It went just as quickly as it came. Absolutely amazing.

The SPC posted in a mesoscale discussion that the DC metro could be affected by another round of storms around 00Z-01Z (which is 8-9PM civilian time).

wow, according to the coordinates on the NWS website, the Annandale Rd. tornado was about a mile from my house. Scary.

Jake, Im about to take 28 South so I hear you. Could try cutting through Herndon or Sterling. Do you have power over there?

Don't forget us BGE people! Seems all the local media outlets only report Pepco and Dominion outages.

110k BGE customers out:

http://www.bge.com/portal/site/bge/menuitem.42d31413f80c584606370f10d66166a0/

Ashburn --

I am still at work in Reston. We may be on generator, but I think power is on. Don't know about any traffic lights. I'm honestly just trying to do some shopping a couple miles up 28N.

You could cut over on Shaw Rd and bypass the mess on 28 at Waxpool, then go up Cascades to the shopping center near Dulles Town Center, or cut over Waxpool and avoid the left turn exit from 28 North.

I'm a bit concerned about this next line of storms that could be heading our way. What do the Cap Weather folks think about this?

http://www.wunderground.com/radar/mixedcomposite.asp?region=b5&size=2x&type=loop&MR=1

Traffic Alert for Washington Street in Alexandria

Due to an emergency situation at the Lyceum in Alexandria, Washington Street between Cameron and Duke Streets is closed in the southbound direction until further notice. Northbound lanes of Washington Street are closed at Duke Street and traffic is being rerouted at this time. Drivers are urged to avoid the area during the evening rush hour until the road has been reopened.

Severe thunderstorm warning for Orange, Culpeper, Madison counties until 615PM. Weather radio scared the living daylights out of me.

Next round of storms should not be as severe (but some isolated severe storms are possible) in metro area but still could produce strong winds and very heavy rain. South of metro area (i.e. areas that were spared from severe weather earlier), the severe threat is greater.

Home in Silver Spring. We (amazingly) have electricity. That was some weather we had. It was some of the very worst non-hurricane weather I've seen in 25+ years in the DC area.

Does anybody have pictures of the Annandale Rd. tornado? Also, what was the cause of the one fatality?

Many branches, twigs, and leaves down on the roads here in Sterling. Saw two trees down in someone's front yard as I drove around the neighborhood after the storm.
High winds and heavy rain, although not much lightning.

After a dull winter...Spring is at least doing its part to keep things exciting. I am sorry for the tragic loss of life today however.

TORNADO WARNING for Orange, Culpeper, and Madison.

Severe THunderstorm Warning for Orange, Culpeper, Madison, Stafford and Fauquier.

Tornado warning for areas south of the area (west of the Fredericksburg area moving east).

I just treked from Alexandria to Arlington, roads were open on my journey (got on washington st at slaters however). Trees down on the Parkway, but everything cleared and at least moved out of the road. However, traffic southbound was backed up steady to DCA. Rte 1 isn't any better, congested from the beltway to potomac yard.

On my way out of the house, realized a rather LARGE [3 ft in diameter] had been literally uprooted and thrown in the neighbors backyard. While it seems like the major severe threat has gone, the last hours clearing sky and sun may be enough to pop off isolated weather, so be aware out there.

Period: The lady died when a tree fell on the station wagon she was driving.

Getting some rumbles of thunder in Adams Morgan. Any reports west of here?

Seeing flashes of lightning off to the southwest of here (Calverton), looks like something has blown up over NW DC.

North Arlington: thunder started about five minutes, now it's pouring rain. it's nothing compared to earlier; this is a standard summer storm. it's still light in the sky to the west.

huh. and in the time it took me to type that, the rain stopped. quick little cell.

Weather Radio just sounded the warning for severe thunderstorm for DC, Montgomery and PG counties. I'm getting loud thunder in Brookland.

It's gonna be an interesting night.

The thunder has died away in Silver Spring as that severe thunderstorm moves to the east.

Has anyone seen my porch umbrella?

Call me @ 703-867-5309

Hearing rumbles of thunder in the distance in Alexandria, VA. Not again....

Massive downpour on the Beltway near tysons. At 6:30pm traffic is at a dead stop.

Holy crap. The radar has just EXPLODED with activity.

Rumbles of thunder in Springfield, then about 20 minutes of steady rain just now.

Marble sized hail falling in Glover Park from the storm that just blew up over NW DC.

I'm seeing a lot of lightning south of here (Columbia Heights). Getting brighter here, but looks awful to the south.

Can I just take a moment and give a big THANK YOU to the people of Fall's Church? Metro was closed between East and West Falls. While I expected my commute to be bad and prepared, well....I am sorry but Metro takes inept to a whole new level. Many of us walked the W&OD from one station to the other. We figured it was our best shot. People driving down the street stopped and offered rides even if they weren't going in that direction. At one point, you leave the trail and walk through a neighborhood about the last half mile. People from that neighborhood stood and directed us so we wouldn't get lost. So THANK YOU.

Can those out west in Warrenton give us a read on the storms passing our way? I am in Arlington and things look a little intense

Looks like a new watch may be issued across the area..

New Tornado Watch till 1am.

Any news of whats happening in the Rockhill area of Stafford County Virginia?

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
SOUTHWESTERN PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND...
NORTHEASTERN KING GEORGE COUNTY IN CENTRAL VIRGINIA...
EXTREME SOUTHEASTERN FAIRFAX COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA...
SOUTHEASTERN PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA...
EAST CENTRAL STAFFORD COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA...
CHARLES COUNTY IN SOUTHERN MARYLAND...
NORTHWESTERN ST. MARYS COUNTY IN SOUTHERN MARYLAND...

* UNTIL 815 PM EDT

* AT 735 PM EDT...A TORNADO WAS REPORTED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
SKYWARN SPOTTERS NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF INTERSTATE 95 AND STATE
ROUTE 17 ONE MILE NORTH FREDERICKSBURG...MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH. A
TORNADO ON THE GROUND! THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION...TAKE
COVER NOW!

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
INDIAN HEAD...
LA PLATA...
ST. CHARLES...

Heavy rain here, with some lightning.. not as windy as earlier.

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
740 PM EDT WED JUN 4 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
SOUTHWESTERN PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND...
NORTHEASTERN KING GEORGE COUNTY IN CENTRAL VIRGINIA...
EXTREME SOUTHEASTERN FAIRFAX COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA...
SOUTHEASTERN PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA...
EAST CENTRAL STAFFORD COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA...
CHARLES COUNTY IN SOUTHERN MARYLAND...
NORTHWESTERN ST. MARYS COUNTY IN SOUTHERN MARYLAND...

* UNTIL 815 PM EDT

* AT 735 PM EDT...A TORNADO WAS REPORTED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
SKYWARN SPOTTERS NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF INTERSTATE 95 AND STATE
ROUTE 17 ONE MILE NORTH FREDERICKSBURG...MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH. A
TORNADO ON THE GROUND! THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION...TAKE
COVER NOW!

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
INDIAN HEAD...
LA PLATA...
ST. CHARLES...

A TORNADO HAS BEEN CONFIRMED! IF YOU ARE NEAR THE PATH OF THIS
TORNADO...TAKE COVER NOW! IF NO UNDERGROUND SHELTER IS AVAILABLE MOVE
TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR. MOBILE HOMES AND VEHICLES
SHOULD BE ABANDONED FOR MORE SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. AVOID WINDOWS!

OK, I don't mean to sound stupid, so forgive me but... I am in a mid rise building. The exit to the bottom floor is an elevator that leads out side to a walkway.You cannot enter the first floor interior of the building without a key. So- in case of a tornado, do I stay on a high level floor and go away from windows or head to bottom outside, sheltered by a walkway?

Some reports the Charles county tornado is a wedge.. something usually seen in the midwest and plains.

Here it comes! 2nd line impinging upon Alexandria. Thunder, lightening, heavy rain... but not as "exciting" as the 1st line.

As usual....many parts of Leesburg (including my casa) without power. This time however there are many trees and powerlines down. Kids eating cereal and holding flashlights. (8:15pm)

So Cap Weather! What is your take on a possible 3rd line of storms? (see storms entering W. VA)

http://www.wunderground.com/radar/mixedcomposite.asp?region=b5&size=2x&type=loop

"OK, I don't mean to sound stupid, so forgive me but... I am in a mid rise building. The exit to the bottom floor is an elevator that leads out side to a walkway.You cannot enter the first floor interior of the building without a key. So- in case of a tornado, do I stay on a high level floor and go away from windows or head to bottom outside, sheltered by a walkway?"

Try to think of everything around you as a projectile.
Head lower (basement or ground floor).
Go to an internal space with no or as little glass as possible (closet, internal hallway etc).
Do NOT go outside.
Stay inside.

Phew, after getting the DC alerts on my mobile, I'm sure glad I'm down in Florida for the summer...oh wait, we get severe weather 2-3 times a week!

I'm sure somebody will find some kind of divine message in this, re: the DNC choice perhaps?

But seriously, hope everyone's safe. Do as we do down here when the winds start roaring: stay indoors with a good book and hope for the best.