Weather service confirms tornado touched down in Prince George's on Monday

A storm that passed through the area before 8 p.m. downed tree limbs a foot in diameter and partially severed the tops of trees there, according to damage reports the weather service received.

Firefighters reported the funnel cloud sighting about 7:33 p.m., 3 miles west of the Brandywine area.

A funnel cloud is a rotating column of air that is not in contact with the ground -- something that would make it a tornado.

Storms have avoided the Baltimore area, for the most part, in recent days. But a confirmed tornado or even a funnel cloud would add to an already active summer severe weather season in Central Maryland.

At least five other tornadoes were reported around the state last month, including one each in Baltimore, Baltimore County and Howard County.

Storm chances remain in the forecast for the next several days, but drop significantly after Wednesday.