The 2001 tornado that hit D.C. Image courtesy of NOAA.

The National Weather Service is issuing a tornado watch for the entire D.C. metropolitan area through 10 p.m. It’s important to remember that a tornado watch means that there is a possibility that a tornado will form, while a tornado warning means a deadly funnel is imminent.

There is also a gale warning in effect until 10 p.m. Residents should be prepared for sustained gusts of between 39 and 54 miles per hour.

The District fell under several tornado watches and warnings last year, the last one coming on September 18, though none were ever spotted over the city. A storm that struck the area last June brought nine tornado sightings in Maryland, including one in Bel Air that caused $1 million in damage.

D.C. has not been touched by a tornado since 2001, which brought minimal damage.