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By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
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Tornado warnings are in place in three states as a dangerous line of storms continues to trek across the U.S.
On Monday morning, National Weather Service (NWS) offices in the Southeast and along the Eastern Seaboard issued tornado warnings for three separate systems. One warning has been issued for parts of northern Florida and southern Georgia as a fast‑moving storm with confirmed rotation threatens rural communities. Another was issued for Charlotte, North Carolina, where radar showed strong rotation capable of producing a tornado. A third was issued for the Blacksburg, Virginia area.
The onslaught of severe weather comes as nearly the entire Eastern Seaboard remains under some form of severe weather warning.
Read More on Weather
“It is rare to forecast a high risk for severe weather from Pennsylvania to the Carolinas in mid-March," AccuWeather senior meteorologist Adam Douty told Newsweek. "Some storms could rotate and produce tornadoes. Widespread damaging winds may knock out power as storms move across the region.”
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Charlotte, North Carolina
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg issued the tornado warning at 9:47 a.m. local time, giving people minutes to take shelter as the storm, moving quickly northeast at 40 mph from near Reedy Creek Park, threatened densely populated parts of Charlotte, Harrisburg and Mt. Pleasant with the risk of flying debris, structural damage and downed trees. Residents in the warning area have been urged to take shelter immediately as the storm tracks through the region.
The warning was set to remain in place until 10:15 a.m.
"TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building," NWS Greenville-Spartanburg said in the warning. "Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris."
Tallahassee, Florida
The NWS office in Tallahassee issued the warning at 9:40 a.m., advising residents in northeastern Jefferson County and northeastern Madison County in Florida, as well as southwestern Lowndes County and southeastern Brooks County in Georgia, to take immediate shelter. The warning remains in effect until 10:15 a.m.
Forecasters said a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was 11 miles northwest of Madison and tracking northeast at 30 mph. Radar confirmed strong rotation within the storm.
Blacksburg, Virginia
The NWS office in Blacksburg, Virginia, issued a tornado warning at 9:56 a.m. for northwestern Stokes County in north-central North Carolina and southern Patrick County in southwestern Virginia after a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Ararat, moving east at 40 mph.
"Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely," the warning said.
Washington, D.C., Tornado Warning
Several hours after the warnings in North Carolina, Florida and Virginia were issued, the NWS office in Baltimore/Washington, D.C., issued a tornado warning for north central Montgomery County, warning of a thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado shortly before noon local time. Several other tornado warnings and tornado watches remain active in the area as of 11:57 a.m. ET.
"For those in the direct path of a tornado touchdown, flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter," the warning said. "Damage to roofs, siding, and windows may occur. Mobile homes may be damaged or destroyed. Tree damage is likely."
New tornado watches were issued as far north as New Jersey.
What’s the Difference Between a Tornado Watch and a Tornado Warning?
A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes to form, and people in the area should stay alert, monitor weather updates and be ready to act. A tornado warning, however, is far more urgent. It means a tornado has been spotted or radar indicates strong rotation, and anyone in the warned area should take shelter immediately. Watches cover broader regions for longer periods as storms develop; warnings are issued for specific locations when a threat is imminent or already occurring.
People within the severe thunderstorm watch and tornado watch area, which stretches from Florida through Virginia, should remain vigilant. Although tornado warnings usually expire quickly after they are issued, it's possible similar warnings will be issued as the storms progress.
Update 3/16/26, 12:04 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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