Forecasters out at Sterling say the atmosphere is beginning to stir, creating the convection that will lead to strong thunderstorms later today. I can't see it on the radar. But I'll take their word for it.

Severe thunderstorm watches have been posted all across Maryland from Allegany County to the Bay. Here's the "special weather statement" issued earlier this afternoon. It gets your attention:

"A COLD FRONT WILL MOVE THROUGH THE REGION LATE THIS
AFTERNOON...BREAKING OUR HEAT WAVE...BUT NOT WITHOUT ANOTHER ROUND
OF DAMAGING THUNDERSTORMS. THE ATMOSPHERE IS FAVORABLE FOR SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON...WITH DAMAGING THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS
BEING THE GREATEST THREAT. BRIEF HEAVY RAINFALL AND CONTINUOUS
CLOUD-TO-GROUND LIGHTNING WILL BE COMMON WITH THESE STORMS.

"AT 1:00 PM...THUNDERSTORMS WERE ALREADY DEVELOPING OVER THE
INTERSTATE 95 CORRIDOR BETWEEN WASHINGTON DC AND NORTHEAST MARYLAND.
THESE THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE IN INTENSITY AND AREAL
EXTENT AND MAKE FOR A MESSY AFTERNOON RUSH HOUR FOR THE
BALTIMORE/WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREAS...AND WILL LIKELY DOWN MORE
TREES ACROSS THE REGION TODAY."

Yikes! Be careful out there.  Here's how to prepare for bad storms.