Hail, Damaging Winds Possible As Severe Storm Watch Issued In MD

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for much of Maryland on Friday as forecasters warn that storms could bring damaging winds, torrential rain and frequent lightning to the state.

The watch is in effect until 9 p.m., according to the National Weather Service, and includes Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Kent, Montgomery, Prince George's, Queen Anne's, Talbot and Washington counties, as well as Baltimore City.

Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected Friday afternoon and evening, particularly east of the Alleghenies, NWS forecasters said.

Damaging wind gusts are the main threat and could knock down trees and power lines, potentially causing outages. Locally heavy rain and frequent lightning are also possible.

Capital Weather said the watch carries the potential for a few storms with wind gusts up to 65 mph and hail up to 1 inch. Storms are most likely between 3 and 9 p.m., with the greatest chance around the Capital Beltway between 4 and 8 p.m.

The storms also come amid another hot and humid day in the Baltimore region.

Highs are expected to reach the upper 80s and low 90s, but humidity could make it feel like the upper 90s to low 100s, Capital Weather forecasters wrote.

Another round of scattered thunderstorms is possible Saturday afternoon and evening. Those storms could bring locally damaging winds, heavy rain and isolated flooding, although the National Weather Service expects less storm coverage than Friday.

Detailed Baltimore-Area Forecast

Friday Afternoon: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 5pm. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Southwest wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 9pm. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Southwest wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 7pm and 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind 3 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. West wind 3 to 7 mph.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 93.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.

Tuesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Chance of precipitation is 30%.