Tornado, Severe Thunderstorm Alerts Posted Across Maryland

MARYLAND — Seven jurisdictions in Maryland are under a tornado watch until 9 p.m. Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

The tornado watch is in effect until 9 p.m. Thursday, July 29, for these areas:

• Anne Arundel County
• Baltimore City
• Baltimore County
• Carroll County
• Cecil County
• Harford County
• Howard County

These towns and cities may be impacted, according to the tornado watch: Aberdeen, Annapolis, Arnold, Baltimore, Bel Air, Catonsville, Columbia, Dundalk, Edgewood, Eldersburg, Elkton, Ellicott City, Essex, Fallston, Glen Burnie, Havre de Grace, Joppatowne, Odenton, Parkkville, Pikesville, Randallstown, Severn, Severna Park, South Gate, Towson and Westminster.

PREVIOUS REPORT/EXPIRED: A tornado warning is in effect until 5:30 p.m. for parts of Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Howard counties after a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was detected over Columbia just before 5 p.m. Officials said the storm was moving east at 25 mph, and radar indicated rotation.

"For those in the direct path of a tornado touchdown, flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter," the National Weather Service warned. "TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris."

The storm will affect these areas, authorities warned:

• Catonsville around 5:05 p.m.
• Severn, Elkridge and Arbutus around 5:15 p.m.
• Baltimore-Washington Airport and Pumphrey around 5:20 p.m.
• Ferndale, Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Park, South Gate around 5:25 p.m.
• Glen Burnie and Severna Park around 5:30 p.m.

These areas may also be impacted: Hanover, Linthicum, Harmans, Ilchester, Halethorpe, Lansdowne, Linthicum Heights, Gambrills and Jessup.

A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect until 5:45 p.m. for parts of Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Howard counties and Baltimore City.

Some trees and large branches may fall from the wind, which may damage vehicles and homes. Roads may be blocked by trees, and power outages are also possible.

Severe thunderstorm warnings are also in effect for parts of Montgomery and Prince George's counties — including Silver Spring, Chillum and College Park — until 5:30 p.m.

The tornado watch is in effect until 9 p.m. Thursday, July 29, for these areas:

• Anne Arundel County
• Baltimore City
• Baltimore County
• Carroll County
• Cecil County
• Frederick County
• Harford County
• Howard County
• Washington County

Officials noted these areas of interest during the watch: Aberdeen, Annapolis, Arnold, Ballenger Creek, Baltimore, Bel Air, Catonsville, Columbia, Dundalk, Edgewood, Eldersburg, Elkton, Ellicott City, Essex, Fallston, Frederick, Glen Burnie, Hagerstown, Havre de Grace, Joppatowne, Odenton, Parkville, Pikesville, Randallstown, Severn, Severna Park, South Gate, Towson and Westminster.

From about 4 to 4:30 p.m., parts of Carroll County were under a tornado warning, due to a storm with rotation. Tornado warnings were posted between 4 and 5 p.m. for parts of Carroll and Howard counties after storms with rotation were detected near Westminster and Sykesville, according to the National Weather Service.

• Westminster Under Tornado Warning

A severe thunderstorm warning was also issued for parts of Baltimore and Carroll counties until 5 p.m. due to the potential for up to 60 mph wind and quarter-sized hail from the severe storm that was near Hampstead after 4:15 p.m. It was moving east at 25 mph, according to the warning.

These locations may be impacted: Westminster, Reisterstown, Hampstead, Manchester, Carrollton, Upperco, Patapsco, Reese, Millers, Greenmount, Glyndon and Boring.

"A tornado is also possible," according to the National Weather Service, which placed the area under a tornado watch.

"Tornadoes can develop quickly from severe thunderstorms. Although a tornado is not immediately likely, if one is spotted act quickly and move to a place of safety inside a sturdy structure, such as a basement or small interior room," weather officials advised. "Continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature`s leading killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning."

Due to the chance of severe weather, Baltimore's Office of Emergency Management canceled the city's Summer Family Festival Thursday afternoon.

A severe thunderstorm watch is effective until 9 p.m. Thursday for Allegany, Calvert, Charles, Dorchester, Garrett, Montgomery, Prince George's, Somerset, St. Mary's, Wicomico and Worcester counties.

Forecasters say the storms could bring damaging winds and large hail through Thursday night.

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PREVIOUS REPORT: Thunderstorms may be severe across Maryland Thursday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

After 4:45 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was detected near Sykesville and was moving east at 25 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
Radar indicated rotation with the storm, which had quarter-sized hail, officials said.

The storm was slated to reach Ellicott City around 4:55 p.m., historic Ellicott City around 5 p.m., Columbia and Catonsville around 5:05 p.m. and Woodlawn around 5:15 p.m.

West Friendship and Daniels may also be impacted, according to the tornado warning.

A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect until 5:45 p.m. for Anne Arundel County, Baltimore and Howard counties and Baltimore City.

Tornadoes, flash flooding and lightning may also be in store between 2 p.m. and midnight, according to the National Weather Service.

"Isolated tornadoes are possible this afternoon and this evening," the National Weather Service said in a hazardous weather outlook for much of the state. "Additionally, isolated occurrences of flash flooding are also possible."

Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Carroll, Charles, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George's and St. Mary's counties and Baltimore City are included in the hazardous weather outlook, which applies to the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay as well as the Tidal Potomac River and the I-95 corridor through Maryland, northern Virginia and Washington, D.C.

Severe Weather Arrives On Eastern Shore

A flood advisory is in effect for Caroline and Talbot counties until 3:15 p.m. Thursday. Weather officials said they issued the advisory after 1 to 2 inches of rain had been reported by 12:15 p.m.

Trappe, Preston, Oxford, Hambleton, Windyhill, and Choptank may experience flooding, the flood advisory said.

A severe thunderstorm warning took effect midday for Caroline and Talbot counties after a severe thunderstorm near Easton was detected by radar with 60 mph winds and quarter-sized hail midday. Torrential rain and frequent cloud-to-ground lightning were also occurring, the warning said. It expired before 1 p.m.

In Kent, Queen Anne's, Talbot and Caroline counties, there is an "enhanced risk" for severe storms, which could also bring flooding in urban and poorly drained areas near small creeks and streams.

Read the latest forecast from the National Weather Service.