Severe thunderstorms and hail could be in the immediate future for much of Montgomery County and the Washington area.

The National Weather Service issued the following Severe Thunderstorm Warning for the county just before 4:45 p.m:

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR…CENTRAL MONTGOMERY COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND…NORTHERN FAIRFAX COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA…

* UNTIL 530 PM EDT

* AT 439 PM EDT…A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WAS DETECTED NEAR GREAT FALLS…OR NEAR THE AMERICAN LEGION BRIDGE…AND WAS MOVING NORTH AT 15 MPH. THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HAIL UP TO THE SIZE OF QUARTERS.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE…

ROCKVILLE…NORTH POTOMAC…GAITHERSBURG…GERMANTOWN…MONTGOMERY VILLAGE…

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM. IF YOU ARE IN ITS PATH…MOVE INDOORS TO A STURDY BUILDING AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. WHEN IT IS SAFE TO DO SO…REPORT SEVERE WEATHER TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OR TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.