A National Weather Service (NWS) warning alerted around 20,000 people in Virginia to 'prepare immediately' on Thursday afternoon as a severe thunderstorm rolled through the region.

Why It Matters

Severe thunderstorms can develop rapidly and are often accompanied by damaging winds, heavy rain, large hail, and lightning. NWS meteorologist William Perry told Newsweek that the storms on Thursday were occurring ahead of a cold front that was descending into the area.

"We can have some damaging winds if we get enough instability ahead of the front," he said. "It can happen any time of year, especially the spring and fall."

What to Know

The NWS office in Blacksburg, Virginia, issued the severe thunderstorm warning just before 4:45 p.m. on Thursday afternoon for south central Charlott

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