Gusty Storms with Hail Threaten Central Appalachians

By Bill Deger, Meteorologist

Mar 28, 2012; 5:59 AM ET

Strong storms will continue to erupt into this evening, targeting areas from Kentucky to Virginia and Maryland.
Less intense storms will affect areas farther to the northeast over the mid-Atlantic and off the South Coast of New England.
A cold front approaching from the west is responsible for the severe weather potential, and will assist in additional storm formation that is reaching to the I-95 corridor into the evening.
Lexington, Ky., Charleston, W.Va., and Winchester, Va., are among the cities at greatest risk for a gusty storm. Travelers along portions of Interstates 64, 66, 68, 70, 75, 79, 81 and 83 should also stay alert for adverse driving conditions.
**The storms have had a history of up to nickel and quarter-sized hail during the midday hours over southwestern Pennsylvania. Hail with a diameter up to 2.00 inches was measured in Sands Run, W.Va.**

Hail up to golf ball-size is possible. Some areas that saw copious amounts of hail this past weekend could be hit again by a thunderstorm with hail.
With strong winds aloft at risk of being translated down to ground level in some storms, damaging wind gusts will also be a threat.
These gusts could top 50 mph in a few storms, which is more than enough to bring down tree limbs and cause power outages.

With a line of thunderstorms expected to march eastward, large hail and damaging straight-line winds will be characteristics of the storms.
As always, any thunderstorm is capable of producing blinding downpours which can make driving difficult, if not dangerous for a time. Remember, lightning can strike with no warning. Take shelter as soon as you hear thunder or the sky appears threatening.
While the severe weather threat will wane tonight across the East, it will just be getting underway over the Plains.

Gusty Storms with Hail Threaten Central Appalachians