Image Credit: Getty Images A tornado watch was issued for Washington, D.C. and multiple counties across Virginia and Maryland on March 16, 2026, as harsh thunderstorms threatened to impact parts of the South. For the alerted counties, severe weather threats were forewarned to continue through the evening. Get an update on the tornado watch and inclement weather threatening D.C. below. What Is the Difference Between a Tornado Watch and a Tornado Warning? According to the National Weather Service (NWS), a tornado watch encourages all residents in one area to prepare for a possible tornado.