The National Weather Service based in Wakefield issued a hazardous weather outlook alert for Smithfield and surrounding areas as strong to severe thunderstorms may develop Monday afternoon. 

A cold front crossing the area this afternoon into this evening may  lead to the development of these thunderstorms, NWS said, noting that damaging winds will be the main threat, but large hail is also possible.

The NWS forecast, as of just after 2 p.m., states rain and thunderstorms are likely after 4 p.m. Southewst winds around 14 mph with gusts as high as 22 mph are possible. The chance of rain is estimated at 60%.

The potential for the thunderstorms includes Northampton, Hertford, Gates, Pasquotank, Camden, Western Currituck, Bertie, Chowan, Perquimans, Eastern Currituck, Gloucester, Middlesex, Mathews, Greensville, Sussex, Surry, James City, Southampton, Isle of Wight, Norfolk/Portsmouth, Suffolk, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, York, Newport News and Hampton/Poquoson, according to the NWS special weather statement.