Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued For Parts Of Maryland

BALTIMORE, MD — Steamy and oven-like are the best ways to describe Maryland's weather today, with the strong thunderstorms moving into the state Monday packing 60 mph wind gusts. The feels-like temperature Monday afternoon will hit 102 degrees before rains knock the humidity down for a couple of days.

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning until 6:15 p.m. Monday for parts of four Maryland counties late Monday afternoon. The warning has been issued for northwestern Anne Arundel County, southeastern Howard County, eastern Montgomery County and south central Baltimore County i. *

At 5:34 p.m. a severe thunderstorm was located near Elkridge, moving northeast at 10 mph, the weather service said. Damaging winds will cause some trees and large branches to fall. This could injure those outdoors, as well as damage homes and vehicles. Roadways may become blocked by downed trees. Localized power outages are possible. Unsecured light objects may become projectiles.

Communities in the warning area include: Columbia, Severn, Elkridge, Riviera Beach, BWI Airport, Glen Burnie, Ellicott City, Catonsville, Woodlawn, Severna Park, Odenton, Laurel, Pasadena, Arbutus, Ferndale, Brooklyn Park, Fort Meade, Savage-guilford, South Gate and Pumphrey.

Get indoors to protect yourself from wind and lightning. Trees around you may be downed from damaging winds, so if you are near large trees, move to an interior room on the lowest floor. Don't drive underneath trees or in wooded areas until the threat has passed.

There is an 80 percent chance of rain, along with gusty thunderstorms beginning Tuesday and into Tuesday night. The storms will bring relief, with Wednesday forecast to be a perfect summer day with a high of 86 degrees and sunny skies.

The heat index is supposed to hit 102 degrees with actual temperatures in the mid-90s. The worst of it is expected to happen on Monday afternoon and Tuesday afternoon.

Drivers and airline passengers should be prepared for delays as they travel the East Coast, according to AccuWeather. The zone of drenching storms will slowly move eastward on Tuesday, threatening to disrupt travel and outdoor plans from Maine to Maryland and Virginia.

"A hot, muggy air mass gets kicked out of town by a cold front plowing through the region Tuesday," says The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang. "Showers and storms are likely each of the next two afternoons, especially Tuesday, before dry, less humid weather sets up through late this week. By the weekend, it turns sticky again with showers and storms reentering the forecast."

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Extreme heat can cause illness and death among at-risk population who cannot stay cool. The heat and humidity may cause heat stress during outdoor exertion or extended exposure, according to the NWS.

Here is the forecast:

Monday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 102. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 79. South wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday: Showers likely, then showers and thunderstorms after noon. High near 89. Southwest wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms before 2am, then a slight chance of showers. Low around 70. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 86. North wind 8 to 10 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 86.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.

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