Hail, tornadoes possible in D.C. area

WASHINGTON, June 12 (UPI) -- The National Weather Service Sunday issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the national capital area, warning of 70 mph winds and 1.5-inch hail.

The severe thunderstorm watch, effective until 8 p.m. Sunday, covers the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, northern Delaware, southeast Pennsylvania, northern North Carolina and coastal waters.

Residents were warned of dangerous lightning and damaging winds and hail with the possibility of tornadoes as thunderstorms strengthened along a cold front in Pennsylvania.

"Pulse-type severe storms with damaging downbursts" could produce extreme turbulence, posing a danger to air traffic in the area, the weather service said.