Tornado Warning Issued for Parts of Northern Virginia

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The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Warning for parts of Loudoun County, Virginia, including Ashburn, Sterling, and Broadlands, until 11:30 a.m. EDT on Monday, March 16, 2026. This comes as a strong cold front brings multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms to the Mid-Atlantic region, with the potential for damaging winds, large hail, and isolated tornadoes.

Why it matters

Tornado warnings require immediate action to seek shelter, as these storms can form quickly and pose a serious threat to public safety. The broader severe weather event also has the potential to disrupt travel, schools, and other daily activities across Northern Virginia.

The details

The Tornado Warning was issued in response to radar indications or a reported tornado associated with a severe thunderstorm. Residents in the warned area should seek shelter immediately in a basement or interior room. The National Weather Service has placed much of the region under a Moderate Risk (Level 4 out of 5) for severe thunderstorms, with multiple rounds of storms expected throughout the day. The primary threats include damaging wind gusts up to 70-80 mph, large hail, and isolated tornadoes, particularly from discrete storm cells or along quasi-linear convective systems.

• The Tornado Warning is in effect until 11:30 a.m. EDT on Monday, March 16, 2026.
• A Tornado Watch covers much of Virginia, including Prince William, Loudoun, Fairfax, and Stafford counties, until 7 p.m. EDT.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Residents in the warned areas should seek shelter immediately and continue to monitor the situation through local media, weather apps, or NOAA Weather Radio. Schools and local authorities may also provide updates on any schedule changes or closures.