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WASHINGTON – The Washington, D.C., region is bracing for possible power outages as a dangerous line of storms continues to sweep through central Maryland, northern Virginia and the District on Monday. The severe thunderstorms, driven by a strong cold front, moved into the area during the late morning and quickly intensified.
The FOX 5 Weather team said the storms that passed through delivered damaging winds and heavy downpours, and the system has already triggered numerous Tornado Watches, Tornado Warnings and Severe Thunderstorm Warnings across the region.
The National Weather Service issued Tornado Watches, Warnings and Severe Thunderstorm Warnings across Washington, D.C., and parts of Maryland and Virginia on Monday as a fast moving storm system pushed across the metro area.
The D.C. region faces the potential for power outages and hazardous travel Monday as a line of severe thunderstorms moves in, bringing damaging winds, heavy rain and even the risk of an isolated tornado.
Additional wind damage is possible later this afternoon, with gusts potentially reaching 70 to 80 mph—strong enough to down trees, damage structures and cause widespread power outages.
Washington, D.C. and numerous parts of Maryland and Virginia remain under a Tornado Watch until 7 p.m.
A Wind Advisory remains in effect for parts of northeastern Maryland from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., where strong, non‑thunderstorm wind gusts could also produce isolated damage. Even outside the strongest storms, afternoon winds may be powerful enough to bring down branches or unsecured objects.
RELATED: Preparing for a power outage during extreme weather
Severe thunderstorms are expected to move across the Washington, D.C. region Monday, bringing damaging winds, heavy rain and a chance of an isolated tornado.
The most active window for severe weather is expected between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m., when two rounds of storms could move through. 
Roads remain wet from overnight storms; gusty  winds and temperatures in the upper 50s to low 60s. Additional showers continue to move in from the south, tied to the same system prompting severe thunderstorm watches farther down the region.
Severe weather threat ramps up as warm, unstable air ahead of the cold front fuels storm development. Conditions become favorable for damaging winds and an isolated tornado.
First round of storms moves in, capable of blinding downpours, strong wind gusts and a brief tornado threat.
Periods of heavy rain and gusty winds continue. Travel disruptions become more likely as storms track north into the D.C. area.
Second line of storms forms along the cold front, bringing another burst of damaging winds. A few wet snowflakes may mix in on the back edge as colder air rushes in.
Storms exit the region. Temperatures plunge toward the freezing mark, setting up a cold and breezy Tuesday.
The timing of the storm has led to the following school closings and delays.
Stay with the FOX 5 Weather Team for the latest forecast updates. The FOX LOCAL app is your source for live FOX 5 DC weather updates. Click here to download. 
The Source: Information in this article comes from the FOX 5 Weather Team and the National Weather Service. 
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