We in #chswx continue to monitor the potential for severe storms this evening as a strong cold front, aided by plentiful upper-level energy, pushes its way toward the coast with the potential for damaging winds and even a tornado or two.

Frequently asked questions, answered!

Here are a few things you should know going into this afternoon and tonight:

• The bridges are not going to close. Winds have been rather gusty — with a 50 MPH gust at the airport a little before 1PM, according to NWS — but there is no plan to close them down. Just slow down and pay close attention if you are traveling on bridges today!
• Expect a tornado or severe thunderstorm watch this afternoon and evening.
• There is the potential for a few storms to fire up ahead of the main line and begin rotating. So, while the timing in the NWS graphic above is valid for the squall line, keep in mind that there could be storms ahead of it that could potentially produce wind damage.
• Winds will remain quite gusty until the line passes later tonight. A Wind Advisory is in effect until 10 PM.

I’ll have more updates as needed on this very post in the live blog below…