I don't know what is going on, but the NWS just issued a tornado watch for the area below.  We've already had tornado warnings issued. If you live in these areas, please keep up on the latest weather information for the rest of this afternoon and this evening.  -- 2:40 pm -- Surprisingly, given their forecast (below), the NWS has issued a severe thunderstorm, rather than tornado watch, even though the watch forecasts tornadoes. Got it? Please monitor the weather through this evening if you live in these areas.  -- 12:40pm EDT -- As I feared, the NWS Storm Prediction Center has upgraded and extended the tornado risk forecast in the Middle Atlantic Region.  The significant tornado risk (brown) was extended farther south and now includes Washington and more of DelMarVa. The hatching, also new, indicates the possibility of a strong tornado or two. In addition, the area with an enhanced risk of damaging winds (red) has been expanded. Please keep an eye on the weather in t...

From the NWS in Washington:

There is an enhanced  risk of flash flooding in the red area from 8am Thursday to 8am Friday. If you live in a flood prone area, please give thought to how you would handle a flash flood warning for your region.  I'll update the situation tomorrow. 

NWS Storm Prediction Center at 4:40pm says the hatched area from central and eastern Virginia into the Potomac has an increasing risk of damaging winds -- which means tree damage and power outages. Please prepare accordingly.  --- original posting below --- The area outlined in red is where thunderstorm-generated winds strong enough to cause power outrages and tree damage are forecast to occur the rest of the afternoon. This image was from 1:22pm.  The area in yellow has a significant risk of thunderstorms with hail 1" or larger. In Ken From Terre Haute to Lexington, hail 2" or larger is forecast to occur.  For Tuesday: The hatched area is where strong forecasts are forecast to occur Tuesday and Tuesday night. The brown area has a significant risk of tornadoes. 

Radar at 6:50pm. The snow continues to make its way slowly east.  Below is the forecast for additional snowfall.  Forecast from now until 11pm Pink = winter storm warning. Purple = winter weather advisory.

Color Code: Pink = winter storm warning Purple = winter weather advisory, a lesser condition  Green = river flood info Northeast Color code: Dark blue = winter storm watch Pale green = coastal flood watch This is a preliminary forecast of snow amounts. They may need to be adjusted a bit and  the snow band may need to be adjusted north-south a bit. Regardless, this will be a major winter storm  because The numbers are peak  wind gusts during this storm. Many areas will have gusts of 40 mph or stronger which means drifting snow and major travel issues. 

There is a threat of damaging thunderstorm winds -- with the possibility of power failures -- in the Midwest and Northeast today. The threat is concentrated in the orange area from Washington to NYC. To prepare, please ask yourself: what would I need to do if my power was out for 12 hours or more? Make sure your children are indoors before the thunderstorms arrive which will be after 1pm EDT. As always, you can get more information throughout the day by following me on Twitter @usweatherexpert.  If you would like to learn more about how we warn of dangerous storms, go here .