observations from Maryland

[WXBUFFJIM]

We were on the southern edge of a strong thunderstorm cell earlier today in southeastern Baltimore County. But it was definitely an ominous picture. However limited moisture saved us from a more widespread severe weather outbreak, possibly tornadoes despite the fact we had the low topped tornadic supercell in southern Maryland. Some strong shear in place today.

As this same supercell tracked near Washington, It produced 1 inch hail in Arlington, VA, 1.5 inch hail in Fairfax, VA and 1.25 inch hail just east of Woodrow Wilson Bridge in Prince Georges County, Maryland. Definitely some big hail.

This is a pattern more representative of June as the longwave pattern extends further north into the northern United States. This combined with a stalled out front from the midwest to the mid atlantic favors severe weather with large hail and damaging winds with isolated tornadoes in this region over the next few days. This is more of a June like pattern as opposed to a May pattern where tornado alley experiences the majority of the severe wx and tornadoes on average.

Jim

[rainstorm]

thanks for the info

[WXBUFFJIM]

0549 PM HAIL 2 NW MECHANICSVILLE 37.65N 77.38W
05/05/2004 2.75 INCH HANOVER VA TRAINED SPOTTER

BASEBALL SIZE HAIL REPORTED. VEHICLES DAMAGED.

Baseball sized hail was reported near Richmond today as a severe thunderstorm cell roared through. Viehicles were obviously damaged with hail that large and destructive.

Jim

[yoda]

Yeah, I heard from some of my friends that they saw hail up to the size of Golf Balls just outside of DC.