MD Weather: Strong Storms Possible Before Mild Weekend

VIRGINIA/DC — Showers and thunderstorms, including some that could be severe with a risk of tornadoes, are in the Maryland weather forecast for Thursday as a cool front moves into the state, according to forecasters.

The past several days have been sunny and dry, after a run of days with steady rain from the remnants of Hurricane Ian. On Thursday, though, rain returns to the forecast.

The chance of rain in Maryland begins Wednesday night. For Thursday afternoon, the National Weather Service is calling for a possibility of thunderstorms, with wind gusts as high as 23 mph, and an inch of rain possible.

"The threat zone includes some of the most populated areas in the eastern U.S. from near Washington, D.C., to Philadelphia and New York City," AccuWeather meteorologists said Wednesday. "While the most common risks from the storms will stem from strong wind gusts that can break tree limbs and trigger sporadic power outages as well as brief torrential downpours that can lead to flash urban flooding, there is the potential for a couple of isolated tornadoes to spin up as well."

The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang said scattered showers are likely, and a thunderstorm is possible during the morning into afternoon on Thursday.

"Could see a line of gusty storms come through late afternoon into early evening with a few storms capable of damaging winds," the Capital Weather Gang said about Thursday's forecast. "We’re still on the warm side of the front so highs should reach the upper 60s to low 70s with mostly cloudy skies and a touch of humidity as well."

Meteorologists at WUSA9 issued a Weather Watch Alert for the potential for storms to become strong and severe on Thursday. The day will start with cloudy skies and scattered showers, before rain becomes more widespread in the early afternoon.

"Right now the best bet for storms looks to be between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.," WUSA9 said. "The biggest threat right now would be damaging wind and possibly even isolated tornadoes."

The stormy weather is expected to stick around into Thursday night, with the line of gusty storms eventually moving out of the region. Skies should turn partially clear Thursday night, with low temperatures in the 40s.

On Friday, sunny weather is expected to return, with a high of 68 degrees. The next chance of rain in the Baltimore region is Sunday night and Monday.

Here's the NWS forecast for Maryland through the weekend:

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. South wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Wednesday Night: A chance of showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday: Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 11am. High near 71. South wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then a chance of showers between 11pm and 2am. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 52. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 68. West wind 3 to 8 mph.

Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 50.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 71.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 56.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 71.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Chance of precipitation is 40%.