MD Weather: Severe Thunderstorms, Hail, Damaging Winds In Forecast

MARYLAND — A severe thunderstorm watch Saturday calls for heavy downpours, hail, scattered storms and potentially damaging wind gusts for 13 Maryland counties plus the city of Baltimore.

A strong cold front moving in from the west will bring at times severe storms to Maryland late Saturday afternoon, forecasters said. The severe thunderstorm watch is in place until 6 p.m. for the threat of damaging winds and some hail.

The National Weather Service, with rainfall estimates between half an inch and an inch, although the greatest threat to the state will be locally damaging 33 mph wind gusts.

These counties are under a hazardous weather outlook and severe thunderstorm watch through Saturday night: Anne Arundel, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George's, Carroll, Frederick, Cecil, Baltimore, Harford, Calvert, Charles, St. Mary's and the city of Baltimore.

"The main threat will be damaging winds. However, the stronger storms may pose the risk of large hail & even a few brief tornadoes," the Weather Service said.

Here’s the latest forecast from the National Weather Service:

Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds. High near 74. Southwest wind 16 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Saturday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a chance of showers between 8pm and 11pm. Low around 47. Northwest wind 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Sunday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 62. West wind 7 to 11 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42. Northwest wind 6 to 9 mph.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. Northwest wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.