Today’s the day to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day events because, with the way the weather is looking, you may not get that chance Sunday.

The National Weather Service said the Baltimore and Washington region could experience severe weather Sunday afternoon. It stems from storms happening in the southern part of the country that produced tornadoes and even fatal dust storms.

The primary threat in the Baltimore region is wind, NWS meteorologist Kyle Pallozzi said.

“We can’t completely rule out a tornado sometime in the area,” he added.

That’s on top of possible thunderstorms in parts of the region with at least 58 mph winds, heavy rainfall and temperatures ranging from 51 to 69 degrees. Flooding is also on the table, but Pallozzi said that’s a “lower-end threat.”

There’s a 40% chance, he said, of precipitation on Sunday morning, and a 90% chance of storms in the afternoon. Multiple storms are expected, so he couldn’t give an exact time. It could linger into the evening, according to the meteorologist.

For now, no rain is expected Saturday, just cold weather with temperatures ranging from the mid-40s to the mid-50s, along with cloudy skies. For Sunday, Pallozzi suggests keeping an eye out for weather warnings because the forecast will continue to change.

So, for those planning to celebrate the holiday, get your rain gear ready because the timing of the storms is expected as events will be underway. Baltimore’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities on Sunday include a Shamrock 5K run that starts along Charles Street near Mulberry Street at 1 p.m. and a 2 p.m. parade in Mount Vernon.

How to prepare for storms in case the power goes out

It was less than a month ago when thousands of Marylanders went without power for days after heavy winds knocked out power lines.

That could again be the reality during Sunday’s storms. If that’s the case, there are a few ways to prepare.

Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. suggests monitoring weather forecasts and keeping a few items on hand:

• Flashlights
• Fresh batteries
• Battery-operated clock radio
• Fully charged electronics
• Nonperishable foods
• Bottled water
• Blankets
• Cash
• Full tank of gas
• First-aid kit
• List of emergency numbers

The company advises against using candles and recommends turning off or unplugging eletronic equipment.

“Generators should only be used outside in well-ventilated, dry areas, away from air intake into the home,” the website states. “Never use a generator inside your home or in an attached garage.”

To protect electronics, Xfinity suggests plugging your TV or modem into a surge protector. Keep devices dry, and have a portable phone charger nearby.

“We also recommend programming all emergency contact phone numbers and email addresses into your phone, as well as downloading weather, news, and safety apps,” Xfinity’s website states.

Stay indoors if there is lightning, The Weather Channel suggests. Don’t leave until 30 minutes after the last strike. Also, be aware of trees. “It doesn’t take a tornado to send a tree crashing down onto your home or vehicle.”

In the event of a tornado, head to a basement, interior room on the lowest floor or an alternative storm shelter.

If you must leave the house, avoid flooded roads.

Once the storm is over, stay away from fallen or low-hanging wires, the gas and electric company states. Listen to local radio stations for safety and status reports.