The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Tuesday afternoon for several Maryland counties, plus Baltimore.

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for much of Maryland. The warning expires at 2:15 p.m. ET.

A severe thunderstorm watch means that atmospheric conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorm development. The severe thunderstorm watch outlines an area where an organized threat of severe thunderstorms is expected generally during a three- to six-hour period.

A warning means a thunderstorm is imminent.

The warning includes Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Prince George’s, Carroll, Howard And Montgomery counties, along with the city of Baltimore, which was briefly under a tornado warning.

Here's the NWS forecast for the area Tuesday afternoon and evening:

"...Showers and thunderstorms likely this afternoon. Some thunderstorms may produce gusty winds this afternoon. Highs in the lower 90s. West winds around 10 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent. Mostly cloudy with showers and thunderstorms likely in the evening...then mostly clear with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Some thunderstorms may produce gusty winds in the evening. Lows in the upper 60s. West winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60 percent."